It's amazing what people do to boats

[klos]

I,m looking at this 1983 star craft as a project fishing boat for my nephew. I had to laugh when I saw the trailer lights attached to transom.


Assuming the worst, that the floor is rotten, stringers and transom needs repairs, and the engine needs work, do you guys think its worth the $500.00 for the boat and trailer? I don't know much about starcraft.
The exterior of the boat looks like it's in good shape.

Thanks

(edit)
Can't post pics, try this link instead.
http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/8/5/85624685.htm

 

[klos]

Re: It's amazing what people do to boats

Sorry, for some reason I can't post pics like I did before.

 

[gewf631]

Re: It's amazing what people do to boats

What model Starcraft?

From your post, it sounds like it's fiberglass. I'd RUN away from a project in that bad of shape.

 

[klos]

Re: It's amazing what people do to boats

How do I post pics?

Here is the link to boattrader add
http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/8/5/85624685.htm

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: It's amazing what people do to boats

thread worked. it's aluminum, and i would rather work on aluminum. trailer may clean up. do a deep creep decarb on the engine if you can get it started. those old inlines are great engine. i would consider it. ebay for seats. i just stripped a blue fin spectrum to the foam and rebuilt.

 

[klos]

Re: It's amazing what people do to boats

The boat is fiberglass I took a quick look at it today. Do you think its worth restoring, Does starcraft make a decent boat?

 

[klos]

Re: It's amazing what people do to boats

There we go. God that took forever!

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: It's amazing what people do to boats

Im doing a 93 17" starcraft now, the gel coat they used was fantastic very thick, uniform and easy to polish up. Just 2 stringer's running the entire length easy to replace, no hull crack's or delamination that i could find and the original striingers were fiberglassed and they used marine grade wood thourgh out the boat .....even the seat bottoms were marine plywood ..........errr were.

It had a tayor made winsheild (good quality) and looking @ that boat it should be a easy one to do. Notice most of the upholstry, it's a very simple pattern to duplicate

those side panels you just cut new wood, glass, and stretch new vinyl around it about $50.00 ...........anyway's looks good.

If the hull is solid it could be a very easy and great looking boat.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: It's amazing what people do to boats

the ad was misleading stating Aluminum. i would still go for it.

 

[Plainsman]

Re: It's amazing what people do to boats

I like it and I like the price is good to.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: It's amazing what people do to boats

My friend had the identical boat w/an 85 Johnson on it. Handled very nice w/ a good ride. The quality was all there and it seems like a nice project. The stringers are not the greatest quality - check them.

 

[klos]

Re: It's amazing what people do to boats

Thanks for the replies, I think I might go for it. Just need to find a way to hide one more boat from my wife.

Does anyone have more info on these starcrafts or the 85hp outboard, I'm alot more familiar with I/O's, never owned an O/B motor. The add said it had low compression on one cylinder. Does that mean its time for an overhaul or is it pretty much junk.

Thanks.

 

[michiganmarty]

Re: It's amazing what people do to boats

StarCraft builds good boats. period.

Owners destroy good boats.

The trailer is worth about $200-$300 if sold by itself, if it can be used without having to replace the tires & wheels, wiring, bearings etc.

Motor is worth a negative figure, and boat is worth about $50.00 without either.

(I don't live too far from Goodrich myself)

Motor is probably going to set you back quite a bit unless you can rebuild it yourself. Figure on spending about $900 in parts alone. That does not count machine work or labor. It may be too far gone to even consider rebuilding.

You can always buy a rebuilt power head for the motor, but there could be other issues with the motor as well.

Did you go look at the boat, or just see the ad?

Are there any cracks in the gel coat along the bottom vee (like it was landed on shore lined with rocks)?

Is the floor rock solid, or soft and springy?

Was it stored with a cover? A good cover? Doesn't look like it was taken care of since the motor puked. How long has the boat been parked (good indicator of how long it was not properly taken care of and left to rot until the wife made him get rid of the eyesore)?

 

[lilmandavis]

Re: It's amazing what people do to boats

i would jew him down. Hey im originally from ortonville! lived there 19 years. i would get him to stand there with you while you flexed the transom, stood on the engine, jumped on the floor. shifted the drive, turned the wheel back and forth.if you fall through any of it just means it need to be replaced anyways. but thats how i jew em down, just look like your not interested and make a lower offer. I ALWAYS BARTER!!

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: It's amazing what people do to boats

Wow! so that boat has water brakes on it? I guess you can signal your intent to cross a wake as welld

 

[Solittle]

Re: It's amazing what people do to boats

Figgure on rebuilding or replacing the engine. Basically figgure you are buyng a hull - if that is all you get out of it you're O.K. All else will result in dollars flying out of your pocket plus lots of sweat - that can be fun though and result in a fun rig that lasts a long time.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: It's amazing what people do to boats

I've rebuilt a couple Starcrafts and am in the middle of a third. Simple boats to redo - no hidden surprises. If the stringers are solid and the foam flotation is dry, you're probably good to go. The transoms are generally okay if the foam and stringers are okay, but check it anyway.

The Merc would be a decent motor IF it were well maintained, etc. It's borderline for being worth it to rebuild. If it just needs basic tune-up stuff, it'd be okay...

- Scott