More trouble than fun for a starter boat?

[w103pcm]

I am thinking of buying a cheap 60's model 17' Starcraft with a 1979 75 HP Johnson outboard. I have seen it, it is in solid shape, I saw it float, and I saw it run briefly. The motor sounded half way decent. How are these old motors? Can you get parts and manuals? How are these boats? Does anyone have feedback on whether or not this would be a good starter boat? How about the amount and ease of maintenance it would take to get this guy working well. I would appreciate anyone that will let me pick their brain on this topic.

 

[Solittle]

Re: More trouble than fun for a starter boat?

Pat - That should be a pretty good combo. Like anything else how good it is depends on the care it has been given over the years. It would be wise to get a compression check on the motor and a solid water test of the rig. <br /><br />On the motor - Parts are readily available and I would recommend that you get the factory shop and parts manual specific for your motor. Spend a bunch of time brousing through the posts on this site. There is lots of info here by some very knowledgeable guys. And don't hesitate to pose questions when they come up.<br /><br />If you get it there are some things you should do to keep the motor happy. Let us know.

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: More trouble than fun for a starter boat?

There's nothing that will spoil a new boater's experience quicker than a boat that is constant trouble. Get it thoroughly checked out before you buy. These Johnson's were very good motors and Starcrafts are good boats. It could be a good experience if it's been taken care of. BUT, be sure beforehand.

 

[gr8rg8r]

Re: More trouble than fun for a starter boat?

I, personally, would go with a newer boat and newer engine. That is one old combination there.<br /><br />JMHO

 

[JasonJ]

Re: More trouble than fun for a starter boat?

Age is irrelevant. It is the condition of the boat in question that is important. I can't even describe how many times I have seen five year old boats that run like arse and are ready for the salvage yard. If you can find someone who is boat savvy to take a look at it, to check the health of the motor out, you'll be in good shape. Older 2 strokes are bomb-proof, you just want good, even compression of at least 90 psi +- 15 percent in all cylinders, good waterpump, and good fuel delivery. If it starts up reasonably easy, and runs good without excessive stalling or shaking, odds are its a decent motor. Being a Starcraft, I am forced to assume it is aluminum, and if it is rivetted, you want to make sure it does not leak excessively. If you will be trailering it, using it for the day, and end up with a gallon or so in it, that is not bad. Bilge pump takes care of that, but if it will be staying in the water, then any leaks should be addressed. You also want to make sure all the electrical system is working properly, that can make for a frustrating miserable day. A newer boat does not prevent electrical problems, I have a friend who spent $30,000 on a wake/ski boat that is only a few years old, well cared for, and it has wierd electrical gremlins from time to time. You just have to stay on top of it.<br /><br />One last thing, if you have little boating experience, especially maintaining it, you need to buff up on the skills, because there is not a boat made that is trouble free. Its a boat, that means that it will make you suffer unless you can care for it. No free rides in boating...Good luck.

 

[w103pcm]

Re: More trouble than fun for a starter boat?

Great! Thanks to all of you for the posts. For a rookie like me, it looks like more of the comments I am getting are good. I guess I should't pass on this deal. One comment was that it is a Starcraft it was assumed to be aluminum, and it is actualy fiberglass; all of which looks to be in good condition. <br /><br />I did see it float and saw it fire up. It started prett easy. It smoked a lot, I'm guessing due to it being 2-cycle gas mix, but sounds pretty good. <br /><br />One question, how do I check the compression and the cylinders out?<br /><br />Thanks again<br />-Pat-

 

[gsbodine]

Re: More trouble than fun for a starter boat?

Originally posted by PCM:<br /> I did see it float and saw it fire up. It started prett easy. It smoked a lot, I'm guessing due to it being 2-cycle gas mix, but sounds pretty good. <br /><br />One question, how do I check the compression and the cylinders out?<br />

Try to take it for a water test if you can. Starting and idling is one thing, riding in it, or better driving it, is important before you buy it, it at all possible. <br /><br />As to your second question, you can get a compression tester at an auto parts store. It screws into the motor where the spark plugs do. Just follow the instructions on the tester and you can post any questions to the Johnson forum where you posted before. <br /><br />BTW, I've got a 1978 Johnson 150 on mine, and it's never more of a problem than anyone else's motors I have ever seen, regardless of age.

 

[w103pcm]

Re: More trouble than fun for a starter boat?

Nice. I seem to be getting many comments about how reliable these old Johnsons are. It really sounds like people that have them are happy with them. <br /><br />Nonetheless, I am still wondering some things about the boat itself. it is a 17 foot fiberglass starcraft. <br /><br />The windshield on it is rather foggy. Is that likely going to need replaced, or should some soap and water or alcohol take that our?<br /><br />How hard is it to change the cables on a pulley-cable stearing system?<br /><br />Lastly, does anyone know of good paints for both the motor (rustoleum maybe??), and a fiberglass paint for the boat?<br /><br />Thank you all very much!

 

[DJ]

Re: More trouble than fun for a starter boat?

PCM,<br /><br />You can get plexiglass (for windshield) polish at most hardware stores.<br /><br />Get rid of that old pulley/cable system. At best, changing the cable is confusing. At worst, it's a dinosaur system. You can get a complete new Teleflex system for less than $150.00. Much safer! See this.<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cg...g&current_category=steering&*******=597274713 <br /><br />Forget Rust Oleum, it doesn't harden up enough.<br /><br />For fiberglass, I would recommend a one part epoxy from Pettit or Interlux. See this site for paint info: www.westmarine.com<br /><br />For the engine, if you have to go down to bare metal, you'll need zinc chromate primer and the top coat of choice. Krylon, etc.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: More trouble than fun for a starter boat?

Yes, age means nothing. You can get alot better 'old' boat than a newer one for the same price. Old ones look a hell of alot better too...

 

[zj-jeepster]

Re: More trouble than fun for a starter boat?

I bought my 70's Starcraft with a 70's Evinrude and because of this Forums site, I'm boating and having a great time.<br /><br />I haven't posted in like a year because my rig now runs like a champ because of this Forums site.<br /><br />I test drove my rig before I bought it and it was fine. Good compression and a good lower unit is pretty much all you need. All other little goodies you could do yourself.<br /><br />.<br /><br />Check the faq and you could "survey" this boat before you buy it.<br /><br />My old Starcraft is as solid as it can be (knock on wood). I expect quite a few more years out of it.<br /><br />The motor on the other hand is a constantly wearing part of the equation. Hopefully it will last as long as the boat itself.<br /><br /><br />.

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: More trouble than fun for a starter boat?

DJ is 100% correct. Make it one of your first jobs to get rid of the cable and pulley steering system. A Teleflex " No Feedback " cable system is not expensive and easy to install. It's a hundred times safer and easier to use also.

 

[w103pcm]

Re: More trouble than fun for a starter boat?

I worried about that pulley system. The cables appear to be in bad shape, and the pulleys could use replacement as well. I am curious...how do these Teleflex systems work / install? Do they run around the side of the boat in the same basic way as the pulley system, or is it a whole different idea? <br /><br />Also, how possible / feasible would it be to put some kind of automatic (hydraulic) engine tilt on the motor? For now it has the almighty manual tilt, which is fine and less likely to give me trouble, but I am a man that respects ease!

 

[w103pcm]

Re: More trouble than fun for a starter boat?

Also, for an older boat would I want a rotary or rack & pinion style? What is the difference?<br /><br />Thanks all!

 

[Solittle]

Re: More trouble than fun for a starter boat?

If you can deal with the manual tilt stick with it. They can be converted - the way to do it is to buy a junk motor with the trim/tilt & switch it over to yours.

 

[moderator1]

Re: More trouble than fun for a starter boat?

PCM <br />Member # 48280 posted August 20, 2004 09:45 AM<br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> I have just purchased a 17 ft fiberglass starcraft with a 75hp Johnson O/B that has the old cable steering. This is my first boat, and so I am trying to fix her up and make her fun and safe cheaply, due to my college budget being low . I have been told in my other chat topic that I should not waste the time replacing the pulley system steering, and instead put a Teleflex system on instead. <br /><br />Does everyone agree that this is the best option for me?<br /><br />Are they easy for a rookie like myself to install?<br /><br />Maintenence?<br /><br />For this kind of boat, should I get a rack & pinion, or a rotary model? Does it matter?<br /><br />Does anyone else have any other ideas for an oldie boat like this? It is solid, it runs alright, but there is TONS to be done! <br /> <br />UU <br />Member # 7882 posted August 20, 2004 10:13 AM<br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> A new Teleflex sounds very clever. Tell the dealer your boat size and largest amount of HP it'll ever have to handle.<br /><br />A smooth, easy steering will help you each and every time you take it out. It's a good investment - and a new steering is even safer! <br /> <br />DJ <br />Member # 5471 posted August 20, 2004 02:47 PM<br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> PCM,<br /><br />For your rig, rotary or rack really doesn't matter.<br /><br />The rack system takes up more room under the dash.

 

[moderator1]

Re: More trouble than fun for a starter boat?

PCM,<br /><br />Please try to keep to one post asking the same question. It gets very confusing seeing the same question in different places.

 

[dcpcccrc]

Re: More trouble than fun for a starter boat?

hey man, dont buy a boat that will talk you out of it. Yeah the parts are there but for an old boat like that no matter how good it is or how good it was it will probably have small problems. Yeah parts are easy to find but they aren't always cheap for instance a gasket if you only need one you might have alot of trouble finding it outside of a 150$ kit. i have a 16' 1989 mach 1 With 115 hp yamaha that hasnt had any major problems. I have had to fix simply a oil pump on the 6 quart tank in the bottom that cost 200$ just for the pump. If i wanted to sell this boat for cheap i could because i got into on a great deal thru a friend you cant jump the gun on something that could have problems because on any outboard motor the small problems end up to be big problems I want to sell this boat for cheap but right now it has a sensor somewhere in the oil sending unit that is bad. granit it will be a cheap fix for just a sensor that gets stuck but it could be worse then i would never get my money back from the boat. just dont jump the gun on something that old

 

[dcpcccrc]

Re: More trouble than fun for a starter boat?

also you should make sure all the sensor units work like for example my oil pump went bad instead of the motor continuously running it shuts it down. Alot of people end up working on these outboards and taking the sensors off so that the problems are easier to fix to them in turn tho they dont know if anything in the oil sending units are going bad

 

[JasonJ]

Re: More trouble than fun for a starter boat?

I had an old 60s runabout with the cable pully system. I replaced the cable and pulleys with fresh ones, and even with an 85 horse Merc, the system worked fine. I personally prefer rack and pinion, but if space is at a premium, then go rotary. Or you could spend more loot and go hydraulic.