New 16' Starcraft I want to buy

[Huron Angler]

This Starcraft seems to meet my needs MUCH better, comes with a 35hp motor that may/may not run(that will affect my offer) and the trailer seems to be adequate size.

The ad says that it "needs a good steering box"- do you think he's talking about the console or the steering cable setup?

Love the green/silver aluminum look- too bad the Spartans couldn't beat North Carolina but I'm still proud enough to drive a green boat.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/boa/1124226966.html

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: New 16' Starcraft I want to buy

Not sure what he means by steering box, but not a bad looking boat from the pictures.

 

[sneekdog6]

Re: New 16' Starcraft I want to buy

Looks like it is a 16' Supersport that at one time had dual consoles and and walkthru windshield siwth seating up front?

May be rated for 85 hp.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: New 16' Starcraft I want to buy

Looks like it is a 16' Supersport that at one time had dual consoles and and walkthru windshield siwth seating up front?

May be rated for 85 hp.

Nice. 75-85 horses would be perfect. I appreciate the info. Have you owned a similar model or just know of them?

Also any guesses on the year? I would venture a guess around 1972.

 

[ddrieck]

Re: New 16' Starcraft I want to buy

Yep, Looks like my 1978 Starcraft Super Sport. The ID tag on mine says its 80hp max. Mine also had seating in the bow but now has a casting deck.

Can't go wrong on the price if the outboard runs. Real easy to restore. only real issue would be leaking rivets and a rotten transom, both of which are not to back to repair.

Darren

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: New 16' Starcraft I want to buy

Nice. 75-85 horses would be perfect. I appreciate the info. Have you owned a similar model or just know of them?

Also any guesses on the year? I would venture a guess around 1972.

Get a three cylinder Johhnyrude in 70-75 hp. Be much better than the V4 85hp on this boat.

Of course, it may get on plane with the motor coming with it.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: New 16' Starcraft I want to buy

Get a three cylinder Johhnyrude in 70-75 hp. Be much better than the V4 85hp on this boat.

Of course, it may get on plane with the motor coming with it.

Just curious why is the 3 is so much better than the 4? More fuel efficient?

 

[Rail Meat]

Re: New 16' Starcraft I want to buy

I have a 79 Super Sport 16. Looks almost identical. Rated 85hp and has 85 V4 Johnson mounted. Very light and fast boat.

Tacklewasher, why not the V4?

Issues? Mine is a 79 model.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: New 16' Starcraft I want to buy

Just the 3 cyl is a fair bit lighter than the V4. Both are great motors but going from a 70 to an 85 is adding almost 70 pounds.

The 70 or 75 is the most hp from the 3 cyl while the 85 is the least as that block went to 140.

My current boat came with a 70. Got me to 30mph with no "tweaking" and I suspect I could hit 35 with it. My 115, with all the tweaking I can do hits 40. I've got it raised as high as possible, ss prop and am seeing around 3% prop slip. I'm pretty sure if I had done that to the 70 I could have been close to 35 and using a fair bit less fuel.

 

[Rail Meat]

Re: New 16' Starcraft I want to buy

Interesting.

I had heard that the 85 and 115 were the same block. I had no idea it could go to 140!

I assume the difference would be bore and carbs?

(Not getting any crazy ambitions... Yet!)

Plus with my hull rated for 85hp I really don't know how important it is not to exceed that a little. I would assume it is a conservative rating?

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: New 16' Starcraft I want to buy

Interesting.

I had heard that the 85 and 115 were the same block. I had no idea it could go to 140!

I'm referring to pre-85 hp ratings. The same basic motor in a later year has a lower hp rating. All to do with them being prop rated for newer motors vs crank rated for older motors.

I assume the difference would be bore and carbs?

(Not getting any crazy ambitions... Yet!)

I think the bore is the same but I'm not sure. I keep looking for 140hp carbs from an early 80's motor to try on my 115 to see what happens, but haven't found any on ebay yet.

Gotta get past 40 mph somehow.

Plus with my hull rated for 85hp I really don't know how important it is not to exceed that a little. I would assume it is a conservative rating?

The 18' SS is rated for 150. I would think you could get away with ~100, but don't quote me. Also remember that whole prop vs. crank rating thing. I would not put a new 150hp on my boat.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: New 16' Starcraft I want to buy

Just the 3 cyl is a fair bit lighter than the V4. Both are great motors but going from a 70 to an 85 is adding almost 70 pounds.

The 70 or 75 is the most hp from the 3 cyl while the 85 is the least as that block went to 140.

My current boat came with a 70. Got me to 30mph with no "tweaking" and I suspect I could hit 35 with it. My 115, with all the tweaking I can do hits 40. I've got it raised as high as possible, ss prop and am seeing around 3% prop slip. I'm pretty sure if I had done that to the 70 I could have been close to 35and using a fair bit less fuel.

Excellent rationale. I'm convinced. Also curious what minimum size motor would you recommend to get a waterskier up on this boat. I would guess a 40-50 would do it but I've only been skiing on a 20' Sea Nymph with a 90 horse Johnson so I'm not sure. Have you tried any skiing or tubing on your rig?

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: New 16' Starcraft I want to buy

Haven't tried either as I have a friend with a better boat for it. Even gave him my skis a couple of years ago. Mine is used for fishing mostly.

Rule of thumb seems to be don't go less than 70% of rated hp. So a 60 would be min by that. But I think you can get away with less given the weight of the hull etc.

 

[sneekdog6]

Re: New 16' Starcraft I want to buy

I also have the 16' Supersport with an older 85hp V4.

The rig does get thirsty. It will, however, get up and go.

I also don't disagree that the 3 cylinder is that much lighter. Weight/HP ratios are probably similar.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: New 16' Starcraft I want to buy

I also have the 16' Supersport with an older 85hp V4.

The rig does get thirsty. It will, however, get up and go.

What kind of speed do you get out of the setup?

 

[Old Ticker]

Re: New 16' Starcraft I want to buy

Wow that is our exact boat, right down to the black paint on the bottom. Our boat is the holey one with a thread right now called "Aluminum:Big hole all way thru keel cap, Help" Just made a new entry today with pics of patch and questions - I sure hope the bottom on the one your buying is in WAY better shape than ours! Best of luck to ya Oh and by the way ours is a 72 model, it was also stripped but for the driver console, is a supersport with rating for an 80HP motor.

 

[fuzzeywiggler]

Re: New 16' Starcraft I want to buy

The ad says that it "needs a good steering box"- do you think he's talking about the console or the steering cable setup?

http://detroit.craigslist.org/boa/1124226966.html

Usually the cable is the part that fails (gets worn/damaged) but I guess you'll have to see when you go check it out

Fuzzy

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New 16' Starcraft I want to buy

I also have the 16' Supersport with an older 85hp V4.

The rig does get thirsty. It will, however, get up and go.

I also don't disagree that the 3 cylinder is that much lighter. Weight/HP ratios are probably similar.

I concur with this post 100%. My same experience and opinion. However, while my holeshot is phenomenal my top speed is only around 35. I'm sure I could use some work on my set-up though. I would think a 70-75 3 cyl would be ideal on these boats.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: New 16' Starcraft I want to buy

I'm currently setting up the same boat, I have a freshened up 1985 70hp ready for mine. The three cylinder motors made excellent hp for their weight, the smaller V4 motors don't seem to make up their added weight in horsepower. My favorite V4's are those over 120 hp, or the post 1984 115 and up motors.
The 3 cylinder motors also seem to be better on fuel.

I'm glad to see these older Starcraft boats are finally starting to get some attention! In my opinion, their one of the best aluminum hulls ever made and they made plenty of them. It's not uncommon to see an original 40+ year old hull still in use. They're easy to work on, solid as a rock, and very versatile when it comes to customizing.

 

[sneekdog6]

Re: New 16' Starcraft I want to buy

I have not "GPS'd" my rig...but would guess I'm in that same 35-40 mph range.

We have pulled skiers/tubers pretty easily. If you get someone who knows how to slalom ski well (thats not me) you can feel the stern of the boat pull from side to side when the skier cuts. Not a real issue, but the boat hull is light.

The boat will drift when windy...again its a light hull.

I'm happy with the 16' SS...just wish it was an 18' for a bit more room...