New Guy-Questions about 1971 Starcraft

[DocV]

Good evening!

You guys have a great forum!

I'm located in Virginia Beach, VA. I have an opportunity to buy a 1971 Starcraft. It's the hull only. Asking price is $350. I saw it at a local boat yard, but didn't have the time to crawl all over it yesterday. I really like this style boat.

Are there any inherent problems with Starcrafts? I think I know the obvious stuff to look for, like cracks in the fiberglass, spongy flooring, transom flex, taking a non-marking hammer and tapping the hull and transom, but I am definitely a beginner when it comes to buying a used boat. What else should I look for?

I have been looking for a bare hull project as I have a motor, running gear, and trailer from a previous boat that I built myself (16 ft fiberglass encapsulated plywood) I want something to work on and do some re-furb, but not necessarily invest tons of time and money. I don't really want to get into replacing stringers and transoms

Is the asking price so low that I should just stay away? Should I pay a surveyor to look at it?

If I did decide to go for it, would it be underpowered with a 50hp VRO?

Thanks for your time and assistance!

R/ DocV

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: New Guy-Questions about 1971 Starcraft

A survey will double the price of not more.
For that kind of money if you want it buy it. Then you can sell one of the trailers and recoup some if not all your money.
Then go to town on it...

I like Starcrafts as you can read below and there seem to be alot of us on here that do...

If you didnt already have a motor and gear id say look a little more but you seem to have all that is needed..

50hp should move it along, your not going to win any races...but its for the fun,, right!!!!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New Guy-Questions about 1971 Starcraft

Couple thoughts....an old bare fiberglass hull has little value. You're basically hauling the thing off for him. So pay as close to $0 as you can. Fellow iboats member coolbikeguy just bought a real nice looking fiberglass hull that needs an interior, along with a big old outboard and a really nice trailer for $500. Trust me, there ain't going to be any bidding war over it. That's looks like a pretty sturdy, heavy boat. How long is it? Looks to be a little much for a 50HP. Tri-hulls have great stable rides but you sacrifice ride quality in choppy conditions. They will pound your fillings out. Your biggest concern is going to be rot. ANY soft spots in the deck surely indicate a much larger problem below. You also want a rock solid transom. Replacing any of the wood components in a glass hull is a major job. If you are looking for a boat you can slap you motor on and go....think aluminum. With a tinny, even if the deck and transom are rotted out, you can easily replace them in a weekend. The stringers are aluminum.

 

[coolbikeguy]

Re: New Guy-Questions about 1971 Starcraft

as ez just said, i bought this ....

to get this ....

and a few other tid bits. when i bought it i didnt even consoder the trailer as part of the deal but when i went to get it i realized it a galvanized, low profile roller trailer...added bonus. i gave 500 bucks for it and i figure the trailer itself is worth that. i also agree with ez u will be getting the hull out of his way. have you tried to deal him down yet ?

 

[North Beach]

Re: New Guy-Questions about 1971 Starcraft

Doc,
welcome to iboats! Here's a couple scans of the boat you're looking at. Looks like it's rated to 85 horses. Hope this helps!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: New Guy-Questions about 1971 Starcraft

Please do not double post!

 

[DocV]

Re: New Guy-Questions about 1971 Starcraft

My error Sir, I was trying to resize the photo.

Thanks to everyone for their input. I have to keep from getting tunnel vision every time I see a boat I like. I'll admit I have not given much thought to aluminum, but will start looking closer at them.

Thanks again!

R/
DocV

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New Guy-Questions about 1971 Starcraft

I'll admit I have not given much thought to aluminum, but will start looking closer at them.

Oh you're in trouble now! Soon you'll have 3 of 'em

 

[DocV]

Re: <update>New Guy-Questions about 1971 Starcraft

Re: <update>New Guy-Questions about 1971 Starcraft

Hey folks,

I spent the past two weeks reading everything I could about restorations, both here and elsewhere, and driving around the Tidewater area looking at boats. I carefully considered all the opinions and advice given to me and for that I want to thank you.

I went to Bass Pro Shop on Saturday because my son had a gift card burning a hole in his pocket. We left the store with some outdoor related trinkets he picked out and this:

It's a 2009 Tahoe Q4i with a 135 hp sterndrive.

I really do want to thank those that offered opinions and all the folks that posted their stories on here. I learned a lot, but decided the time was right and since the family was ready to go ahead with a new boat.

R/
DocV

 

[boatflipper]

Re: New Guy-Questions about 1971 Starcraft

My gosh
You made quite a turn in the opposite direction! $350 boat to a what?, $25,000 boat! Very nice purchase. At least this way you wont be worrying about rot for a good 30 years! Very nice boat and hope you enjoy it!

 

[DocV]

Re: New Guy-Questions about 1971 Starcraft

Thanks. I started adding up time, materials, and so on and decided to take the plunge. I've never owned a new boat.

DocV

 

[BWR1953]

Re: New Guy-Questions about 1971 Starcraft

WTG Doc! Keep it covered and cared for and it will last for a long, long time! CONGRATS!