Is a 14' Starcraft very tippy?

[saumon]

Re: Is a 14' Starcraft very tippy?

6 hp will be enough.

I would remove that front deck, open up some space, lower the center of gravity, and find a fishing partner that can sit still.

I thought exactly the same. It will be a lot more stable than your 10' but that raised deck isn't the place where you want to be when the guy at the stern stand up..

 

[roscoe]

Re: Is a 14' Starcraft very tippy?

So I should ditch the deck? I think I will give it a try in the river on Sunday and I will carefully go up there and see if its really tippy, if it is its a really nice deck that somebody spent a lot of time on I will be burning unless you guys think just by looking at it that deck will be bad, then I will remove it now and not even try it!

By all means, give it a try, just wanted to give you an idea what to expect, and how to improve it a little after you try it once or twice.

So, where are you at, New Richmond, Cushing, Rush City ??

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Is a 14' Starcraft very tippy?

Looks a little wider than my dad's 14' Alumacraft which isn't particularly tippy so you should be pleased. We used ours with only a 4HP and it pushed 3 adults around just fine. Your 6 will be fine. It won't plane but you'll get there no problem.

 

[14 foot Starcraft]

Re: Is a 14' Starcraft very tippy?

Ok we'll on Sunday afternoon after I try it out (if the wether is good like they say it will be) I will update you guys!!! After what I have read I feel more confident in my boat!! Also me and my buddy would stand on the seats of my Jonny and its would wiggle but never tip!! What scares me is deep water and tipping!! I can swim but I hate watching my stuff sinking, (along time ago I lost a motor lol)

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Is a 14' Starcraft very tippy?

yeah loosing items to the drink is not fun. You can prevent another engine loss by attaching a safety chain to the motor itself and the transom. I use 1/4" chain for my 20hp, but you could probably get away with a strong bicycle lock for the 6hp.

 

[14 foot Starcraft]

Re: Is a 14' Starcraft very tippy?

yeah loosing items to the drink is not fun. You can prevent another engine loss by attaching a safety chain to the motor itself and the transom. I use 1/4" chain for my 20hp, but you could probably get away with a strong bicycle lock for the 6hp.

The sucky part is three days before I lost it I put thin rope on to hold it, it was a 62 Johnson that the coils where cracked and I was just about to order them, it still ran so I kept using it, the coils shoot sparks out when they get cracked and it lit the gas fums from my leaky fuel valve so I threw it over board thinking the rope would hold it but it must have burned lol!! I'm going to get a chain with a lock for my 6hp, it too nice of a motor to loose

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Is a 14' Starcraft very tippy?

Yikers! Glad you survived the ordeal. Next time be sure you have a fire extinguisher so you don't have to throw the motor overboard. Here's a handy link that should help keep the little 6hp running smooth for a while. You can get any routine parts you may need right here at iboats.

Johnson

 

[14 foot Starcraft]

Re: Is a 14' Starcraft very tippy?

Yikers! Glad you survived the ordeal. Next time be sure you have a fire extinguisher so you don't have to throw the motor overboard. Here's a handy link that should help keep the little 6hp running smooth for a while. You can get any routine parts you may need right here at iboats.

Johnson

Haha i already book marked that page lol!! I will have to take a look at it again to find the proper mixing rate, I'm doing 36:1 for it now, yes a fire extinguisher WILL be on board next time, and I will have a chain and lock!! The fire motor was a 3hp that was really a pile!!

 

[14 foot Starcraft]

Re: Is a 14' Starcraft very tippy?

Oh hey one more thing, to make room for my trolling motor can the 6hp be more toward one side or will it push the boat crooked? I only need to move it a little, I have always tried to center the motor the best I can, what about putting a transom trolling motor on the front? I have seen it done

 

[14 foot Starcraft]

Re: Is a 14' Starcraft very tippy?

Well?

 

[saumon]

Re: Is a 14' Starcraft very tippy?

If it's only a couple of inches, it shouldn't matter. Try it.

 

[jcfitzgerald]

Re: Is a 14' Starcraft very tippy?

It will be easy to rock, and will feel tippy at first, but its not going to easily capsize. A small Jon boat can flip without much warning, if you lean too far or make a sudden move. I would look for a good used Johnson, Evinrude, or Mercury in the 15 to 20 hp class.

 

[dave11]

Re: Is a 14' Starcraft very tippy?

It looks like there is no deadrise at the stern. With the 6hp it should be pretty stable on reasonable water. I have a 15'7" alumaweld with a 60hp motor and a 10 degree deadrise. Mine is not a tippy boat. I have also been out in seas 6 to 7 feet with short wave lengths. Not fun but was in no danger. I did come back when the waves didn't subside after I got out into deep water. That was not fun. Your boat should be fine in reasonable water. Evaluate as you go and learn its capabilities.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Is a 14' Starcraft very tippy?

Tippy is relative, if you weigh 300+ lbs. you'll find the boat feels more tippy than a 150 lb. person would.

 

[14 foot Starcraft]

Re: Is a 14' Starcraft very tippy?

Tippy is relative, if you weigh 300+ lbs. you'll find the boat feels more tippy than a 150 lb. person would.

I'm only 130lb so this should be perfect

 

[14 foot Starcraft]

Re: Is a 14' Starcraft very tippy?

Oh my river is high and so tempting!! with the water high I won't have to so worried about hitting a rock with my motor!! I might go out today and leave it there all night since its only 500 yards from my house on my friends land and head out tomorrow too

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Is a 14' Starcraft very tippy?

If the river is high the current will be strong,,, careful and have fun!

 

[14 foot Starcraft]

Re: Is a 14' Starcraft very tippy?

Ok I tried the boat since I have not registered it I only took the trolling motor (I know that's still illegal in wi) and the boat was very stabile!! The front deck was cool, since I only took my 26lb thrust motor it could barely move in the current!! I'm going to get a bill of sale and fix the trailer then head out to the lake!! I will let you know how it works in the lake!! It might be a few weeks

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Is a 14' Starcraft very tippy?

Awwww... the perfect beginning to a love story!

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Is a 14' Starcraft very tippy?

Sweet! A nice 40-50 lbs trolling motor should move you along nicely. Keep us posted on your official maiden voyage.