Looking at my First Boat

[tlynch99]

Hello,

My name is TJ and I have been into sailing all my life. I am just now looking at buying a motor boat to go up and down the Connecticut river. As I was driving to work the other day I passed a boat for sale that looked like it might fit my price range <$1000. I would like to get some feedback on what people think, things I should look for.

Here is what I do know about it:

The seller purchases peoples belonging when the default on their storage units, so he doesn't know anything about it, and needs to sell it.

The boat appears, I could be definitely Wrong, to be a starcraft. It has a 1978 Evinrude 70hp Engine Model 70873C, with new propeller.

Aluminum Hull, with trailer in good condition.

The interior is beat up, but that's something I can live with.

Here are some pictures:

I am looking for any feedback I can get. Thanks.

TJ

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Looking at my First Boat

See below:

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Looking at my First Boat

Aluminum is good. The real question is the outboard. If it is in decent running condition, <$1000 is a really good deal. If it needs a lot of work, not so much. And that will be the issue here, since you're not buying this from the original owner, and I doubt this seller will even have the ability or facilities to test-run the outboard.

However, if you buy a pair of muffs and take a battery and a fuel tank over there, you might be able to crank it up yourself, if he'll let you. Maybe there's someone you know who will loan that stuff to you. I wouldn't buy it unless it runs, and you may have to go to some effort to find out.

Plan, however, on installing a new impeller and probably a carb cleaning, at a bare minimum, however it turns out.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Looking at my First Boat

I'm looking for a boat just like that one and I'd buy that one for a grand any day if the motor ran. With that galvanized trailer I'd prolly buy it even if the motor didn't run. Don't tell me where you're located or I'd buy it first!! You can't go wrong with an aluminum starcraft. Even if the deck and transom are shot it's not a big deal to fix.

 

[tlynch99]

Re: Looking at my First Boat

CATransplant

Thanks for the info, it's funny I just learned what muffs are the other day. And when I went to look at the boat I noticed there were a pair of them in the boat. I"ll have to ask to see if I can hook some water up to it. And see if it will start.

What do you mean when you say new impeller? It has a new propeller.

ezmobee

Thanks for the advice, the guy selling it got it at auction which I why I think the price might be low. He also doesn't really know anything about it. I am leaning more and more towards buying it, not knowing if it will run.

I noticed your photogallery and it looks like you have done some great restoring work. Where would I get some new seats for a boat like this?

Thanks,
TJ

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Looking at my First Boat

i would take a battery, connect it and atleast do a compression, and spark check. if it has compression of 100psi of above, and all three are within 10% of each other i would buy it, spark can be fixed fairly easily.

But #1 is what are the Title requirements where you live, looks like New Hampshire, by the boat #'s. the seller has to provide you a transferable title, or it could become a big hassle.

IMPELLER not propeller, impeller is part of the water pump, that cools the motor.

seats can be bought thru the iboats marine store, local shops, ebay, or homebuilt. there are a ton of styles available.

the aluminum boat is the easiest to restore.

 

[fishdog4449]

Re: Looking at my First Boat

Welcome!
that certainly is a deal if the motor checks out! like above said, bring muffs, a gas tank with 50:1 gas/oil mixture, and a battery. if that isn't possible, bring a compression tester and look over the motor as much as possible. comp should be above 100psi on all cylinders and within 10% of each other
check for corrosion, rotted wires, etc. even if the motor runs, figure at least it will need new lower unit oil, a carb cleaning and new plugs. starcraft makes a decent boat and this will make a great first boat even if it needs some work. but if the motor is junk, 1000 is high given the age.

 

[tlynch99]

Re: Looking at my First Boat

This is going to sound stupid but is it a 12V system? I have the tools to do a compression test, so I can try that. I did open the cover of the motor and it looked like it was in good condition, grease on moving parts, not super dirty etc....

I checked with my insurance agent and in I will be registering it in Mass. They said because it was under 3000k pounds I only need a bill of sale, or equivalent.

Thanks for info on that the registration angle.

 

[fishdog4449]

Re: Looking at my First Boat

CATransplant

Thanks for the info, it's funny I just learned what muffs are the other day. And when I went to look at the boat I noticed there were a pair of them in the boat. I"ll have to ask to see if I can hook some water up to it. And see if it will start.

What do you mean when you say new impeller? It has a new propeller.

ezmobee

Thanks for the advice, the guy selling it got it at auction which I why I think the price might be low. He also doesn't really know anything about it. I am leaning more and more towards buying it, not knowing if it will run.

I noticed your photogallery and it looks like you have done some great restoring work. Where would I get some new seats for a boat like this?

Thanks,
TJ

The "impeller" refers to the water pump that pumps cooling water through the engine. The impeller is made of rubber and has rubber vanes that force water in a centrifigual (sp) motion and through a tube into the engine. The rubber vanes will tend to "set" in one direction and reduce the effectiveness of the pump. Replacing it is not hard, even for a beginner, but does require that you buy a manual for the motor.

EDIT: Yes, it is a 12V system.

 

[tlynch99]

Re: Looking at my First Boat

Fishdogg thanks for the info about the impeller on the water pump. I am somewhat mechanically inclined and have a 1987 vintage sports car, so I don't mind doing some mechanical work.

One thing I am worried about is the guy selling it may not have the key. So that would hinder trying to start it. What is involved if you don't have the key?

tjl

 

[fishdog4449]

Re: Looking at my First Boat

There will be a number or registration or some form of ID on the controls that can be used to make a new key. Did that with a Mercury once, sent them the info and they made me a new key.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Looking at my First Boat

Where in CT is the boat located? It has NH tags on it, so it's most likely from up that way. The seats are easy enough to replace, so if it tests out fine, compression wise, and runs, I say grab it up.

 

[tlynch99]

Re: Looking at my First Boat

The boat is in central mass actually, it was stored in NH in a storage place, where the current seller bought it at auction when the contents of the storage unit were auctioned off.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Looking at my First Boat

the ignition switch has a # stamped next to the slot, that is a code # a dealer can get you a key. as far as testing get one of those little clip on remote start switches, clip on the top large connection of solenoid, and top small connection, then you can just press the switch, you will have to unplug the big red harness plug to test for spark, as the ignition switch is off, which engages the kill wire, which shorts out the spark.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Looking at my First Boat

Near the Springfield area? What part of the river will you be cruising? I just got my first boat and will be hitting up the river this summer!

Find out exactly what the owner knows about the boat too...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Looking at my First Boat

I'm going to go cruise the streets of central mass looking for it I got everything I needed for my restoration from BassPro. Check out what some nut around here is trying to get for pretty much the same boat http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/boa/631354813.html and it has a SOFT SPOT IN THE FLOOR! ARGH!!!

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Looking at my First Boat

What Tashasdaddy said about cranking it without the key. Now...if you can bring fuel and hook the muffs up to a hose, you can even try starting it by pulling that red plug he mentioned. The only problem is shutting it off, but if the key switch is in the off position, which it probably is since the key's missing, you can shut it off by plugging the red plug back in.

If it were me, I'd try to get it fire up. If it did, then I'd be pretty sure I'd buy it at that price. If it didn't, I still might, but I'd have to check the spark for sure, and even then I might think about it a bit.

If you can't get a replacement key, you can get a replacement switch from any Evinrude dealer or right here on iboats. It's a standard OMC switch. About $20.

 

[tlynch99]

Re: Looking at my First Boat

So I called the seller when I got home from work today. There really aren't any facilities to start the boat where it is located (no hose / water). But good news is he does have the key.

I am going to go check it out in person again tomorrow money in hand . I am feeling pretty good about it, I remembered a few things today. I remember the registration on the boat said 2004, So I assume it ran in 2004 to some extend. The grease on the pivot point where the motor would turn from left to right while steering looked not old but not super new.

I will also get up in the boat and try and walk around inside to see if I feel any weak spots in the floor....

I guess I am trying to look at other indications that might make me believe the 1978 engine has ran in the past 10 years or something.....

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Looking at my First Boat

When I got mine it hadn't ran in many years. We still "awakened" it without too much major work. It was still a pretty expensive initial trip to the mechanic but that was before I knew about iBoats. Now I probably could do myself most of what we paid him to do. My boat has been reliable since we woke it up 4 years ago and mine's a '73.

 

[tlynch99]

Re: Looking at my First Boat

Thanks for all the information, one final question before I check it out tomorrow. What type of battery can be used for a boat like this? Does a regular car battery work fine, or must it be a special marine battery?