Looking to buy 1970 Starcraft. What do you think?

[berwin_06]

I am new to the boating world and have some questions for you guys. I have come across a 1970 Starcraft 15ft Capri on craigslist with a 80hp Johnson. The seller wants $2000 for the boat, trailer, fish finder, 3 props and a few other little things. She said that the motor was rebuilt in September of '09 but starts and runs great. I really like the runabout, bowrider style of boat and am hoping to mainly be doing some fishing and some playing around every now and then. I know to check for rot in the transom and floor board but I don't really know much else about making sure it's a solid boat. What do you guys think about the price and what other things should I ask about? Could I expect for a rebuilt motor like that to last a while?

Thanks.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Looking to buy 1970 Starcraft. What do you think?

Having owned a half dozen or so older Starcraft glassers, I can tell you that unless the boat has been kept completely under cover, stored indoors, and otherwise babied, it will have rot. They simply didn't seal the wood with the intent of having the boat last 30-40 years. The hulls are otherwise well designed - I've rebuilt three of them.

The Capri is the tri-hull style, and as such has added stability at the sacrifice of some of the ride of the v-hulls. Otherwise, constructed more or less the same as mine. Check the stringers, transom and floor thoroughly. Check my rebuilds for some of the "before" photos...

 

[berwin_06]

Re: Looking to buy 1970 Starcraft. What do you think?

Thanks. I'll definitely check into that before buying. I heard some where that the seats slide out into bench seats. Is that true?

 

[jjacobs007]

Re: Looking to buy 1970 Starcraft. What do you think?

sounds expensive to me,a 1970 isnt worth near that and what yr is the mtr? and trailer?

 

[southkogs]

Re: Looking to buy 1970 Starcraft. What do you think?

I would agree that $2000 sounds high for the boat. I think we bought a 1972 15' tri-hull with a 70hp in 1980 for $2500.

Yes, usually the back to back seats on a boat like that one slide out into a flat lounge.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Looking to buy 1970 Starcraft. What do you think?

If the Johnson really is an 80HP, then it's REAL old. A small tri-hull with a real old motor is generally worth less than $1k.