Just bought a 70s 16-17ft Springboke with a 85 johnson is this a good Outboard

Joined
Jul 2, 2026
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6
Hi all i just bought a 70s open bow 16-17 ft boat that honestly i think it’s 16 ft because it measures just over 16ft .It needs a complete interior rebuild and looks like a starcraft ss anyone know what model my boats is and if the 77 85 johnson 85 hp is a good outboard and are parts easy to get
 

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jimmbo

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
14,413
Welcome to iboats
To me the boat looks like a Springbok. There is an Alcan Label in the Spashwell. It is not a Starcraft
The motor, or at least the Cowl is a 76. Some Parts are available, some aren't. It is a 50 yr old motor, but in its Time, it was a strong Motor, with very good low end Torque.
92.6 cubic inches.
85hp @5000 rpm
WOT Range 4500-5500
2:1 Gear Ratio
Hydro-Mechanical Shift.
50:1 Gas:Oil Ratio

Edit: Model # is a 76
 
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racerone

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 28, 2013
Messages
39,726
The motor is a 76 model.-----Good when built , but now 50 years old and perhaps 5+ owners.----I think parts are easy to find for these.
 
Joined
Jul 2, 2026
Messages
6
Welcome to iboats
To me the boat looks like a Springbok. There is an Alcan Label in the Spashwell. It is not a Starcraft
The motor, or at least the Cowl is a 76. Some Parts are available, some aren't. It is a 50 yr old motor, but in its Time, it was a strong Motor, with very good low end Torque.
92.6 cubic inches.
85hp @5000 rpm
WOT Range 4500-5500
2:1 Gear Ratio
Hydro-Mechanical Shift.
50:1 Gas:Oil Ratio

Edit: Model # is a 76

You’re right there is a Alcan label and i know it’s not a star craft just looks similar to the super sports

I’m guessing the whole splash well and both side consoles have to come out in order to remove the floor . Is that right?
 
Joined
Jul 2, 2026
Messages
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The motor is a 76 model.-----Good when built , but now 50 years old and perhaps 5+ owners.----I think parts are easy to find for these.
Definitely would like to up grade maybe something from the mid -late 90s but not in the budget for awhile so hopefully the old johnson last a couple years only paid $1200 for the boat
 

Ifishmuskie2

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Oct 5, 2025
Messages
91
Well that narrows it down. Lol
Put some plywood down on the floor to make it usable for now. It ain’t cheap or easy to redo the interior.
 
Joined
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Messages
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Well that narrows it down. Lol
Put some plywood down on the floor to make it usable for now. It ain’t cheap or easy to redo the interior.
i’m a hr north of toronto and the floor is really bad . you can somewhat walk on it but there’s definitely questionable soft spots .I wouldn’t want to try and use it and rather just save my money and do it right next spring. it also has weeds and grass growing from the wood because it wasn’t covered .Trailer also needs work, i just discovered last night a cross member is cracked really bad at the factory weld and needs to be welded up and i want to replace the hubs with new ones . i figured about $1000-1800 to do the floor right . I just finished redoing a 14 ft tin and Gluvit cost me $136 which was the cheapest i could find online, west system for the big gallon kit with harden was $260-300 . then i need the good exterior grade plywood which is close to a hundred a sheet now .

guy selling it says only needs new carpet. lol yah ok

im thinking about covering the sealed plywood with west system 105 with the thin aluminum checker plate i have kicking around . since it will mostly be a fishing boat most of the time and i had carpet . just worried it might become a fry pan in the summer months though
 

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racerone

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 28, 2013
Messages
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Agreed----I've seen a lot of boats listed / sold that just need TLC.-----Death traps is what they are.----I am about 3 hrs west of you.----Remove the floor and see what it needs.----And it takes a lot longer to build / repair a boat than what they tell you.
 
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