Looking at a 1963 Starcraft Holiday 18

[Tech3]

Hey Tech3 here. I'm new to this. I was wondering if anyone could give me some info on what to look for on buying a vintage boat for the first time. I'm going to look at a 1963 Starcraft holiday 18. I/O 130 hp. Thanks

 

[GLG fishing]

Re: Looking at a 1963 Starcraft Holiday 18

Tech3 1963 I/O (motor/leg) would be hard to find parts for. If the price has been set with a value for the motor keep looking. If motor and leg has been upgraded, check the compression on the motor. Check transom and deck (floor) for rot or soft spots. Look at the hull for corrosion and check the strakes and keel for wear. You may want to assume a boat at this age would require the transom and deck be replaced. It?s not hard to do and if you know ahead of time. Best advice I can give you would be to bring a friend that has experience with boats to help you. Other than that if this is your first boat perhaps an outboard motor model might save you time and effort.

 

[North Beach]

Re: Looking at a 1963 Starcraft Holiday 18

Tech,
From a guy who has the same motor/outdrive I'd say the parts are available for the outdrive, it's the casings that are hard to come by. It should be a 110 HP and my experience shows that any mercruiser 4 banger at least up to an 89 will bolt right up to the outdrive. I can't speak for anything newer but that may be a possibility also.

Then there's always the 400 dollar doner boat motor and outdrive approach that many of us have taken here.

I wouldn't pay more that 1000.00 for a 63 starcraft anything and really I'd be looking for something in the 500 range. While restoring/tweeking these boats are a lot of fun, there's a little work involved.

GLG is pretty much on the money about transoms and floors in a boat that old.

See if you can get some pictures and post them up. More is better!