New to boats, want to get a fair deal on a 2000 Starfire 160

[mustangcoupe69]

I have become obsessive about boats in the last month, and I have concluded that I need one to expand my fishing hobby. Starcraft seems to be the brand I keep coming to. I really want a nice new superfisherman, but I don't have an extra kidney to sell. I have been watching this boat for a few weeks, but i've come to a conclusion that I don't know what a good deal is.

Boats W/Motor Classifieds for Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming | ksl.com

My gut says that a bit spendy, NADA says it's a lot spendy, research shows it's similar to others, but a bit on the high side. I'm looking for some perspective. Can anyone give a noob a few pointers? Thanks!

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: New to boats, want to get a fair deal on a 2000 Starfire 160

Boats prices are more about condition and the market than anything else. Its a nice boat but IMO the condition doesn't warrant top dollar.

 

[redneck joe]

Re: New to boats, want to get a fair deal on a 2000 Starfire 160

welcome to boating obsession....


Go slow, shop, enjoy shopping, ask questions here.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Re: New to boats, want to get a fair deal on a 2000 Starfire 160

I agree it is high priced. My 2001 Starfire 170 LE only cost about $12k out the door.

 

[mustangcoupe69]

Re: New to boats, want to get a fair deal on a 2000 Starfire 160

Thanks for the feedback! I am beginning to understand why people are obsessed, and I don't even have a boat. It seems like all I can think about is having a boat for when the ice melts! I am glad my instincts here aren't too far off. Even though I will primarily fish on this boat, there might be some people that want to ski. I've heard a lot of mixed responses on how much motor is needed. Is 75-90hp enough on a 16-17ft boat like this?

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: New to boats, want to get a fair deal on a 2000 Starfire 160

I'd want a 90 if you are going to do any skiing. A 75 should move her well but the extra torque of a 90 will be nice

 

[Cloudrnnr]

Re: New to boats, want to get a fair deal on a 2000 Starfire 160

Mustang, where are you located? A couple of thoughts. First, a Superfisherman is just a Super Sport with a livewell and rod storage instead of a ski locker. Most of the livewells leak (not just a starcraft problem). Next, boats in the West seem to be higher priced--how far are you willing to drive to get a good deal? Finally, how important is "newness" to you? If you are willing to do some work (under the wise guiding hands on this board), you can get a very nice boat for much less money.

One last thought. I was where you are a couple of months ago and up until very recently. I thought I absolutely wanted an SS or a SFM. After sitting in a 16ft SFM, I realized just how limited the space was for what I wanted. Instead I found both a 14' and an 18' Holiday for quite a bit less than I was going to spend on the 16. The Holiday has much better usable space for me--and with some slight alterations, will be personalized to exactly what I need. Bottom line, make sure you sit in the boats you are dreaming of...think about how you are going to fish it, ski it, use the space. You may find your dreams lead to a different reality.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: New to boats, want to get a fair deal on a 2000 Starfire 160

$9K for a 14 year old boat, she better be showroom condition.

 

[classiccat]

Re: New to boats, want to get a fair deal on a 2000 Starfire 160

You're gut is not lying...I'd have issue for even 1/2 of that price.

look closely and you'll see that you're getting a used boat.

 

[mustangcoupe69]

Re: New to boats, want to get a fair deal on a 2000 Starfire 160

Mustang, where are you located? A couple of thoughts. First, a Superfisherman is just a Super Sport with a livewell and rod storage instead of a ski locker. Most of the livewells leak (not just a starcraft problem). Next, boats in the West seem to be higher priced--how far are you willing to drive to get a good deal? Finally, how important is "newness" to you? If you are willing to do some work (under the wise guiding hands on this board), you can get a very nice boat for much less money.

One last thought. I was where you are a couple of months ago and up until very recently. I thought I absolutely wanted an SS or a SFM. After sitting in a 16ft SFM, I realized just how limited the space was for what I wanted. Instead I found both a 14' and an 18' Holiday for quite a bit less than I was going to spend on the 16. The Holiday has much better usable space for me--and with some slight alterations, will be personalized to exactly what I need. Bottom line, make sure you sit in the boats you are dreaming of...think about how you are going to fish it, ski it, use the space. You may find your dreams lead to a different reality.

I'm located in Salt Lake, but I would love a nice road trip to pick something up. My hang up is driving 1000 miles and not really knowing the good from the bad, but with this board, even with only the information so far, I am getting far more usable information that I have from friends and dealers. The only reason "newness" was important to me, is being new to boats, I didn't think a big project would be good to start with. I've worked a lot with fixing/restoring older cars (which is the origin of my forum handle), so I don't mind getting my hands dirty. In fact, I spend a few hours looking over some of the project threads last night (talk about garage envy...) and can see myself really getting caught up in restoring a boat. I'm just getting impatient, so I'm happy to be told by multiple people to take it slow. Funny thing, after reading over your post, I ran into this for sale, and it looked more appealing than it would have yesterday.

https://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=29119413&cat=147&lpid=0&search=&ad_cid=2

 

[jasoutside]

Re: New to boats, want to get a fair deal on a 2000 Starfire 160

Ha! Yah, from nearly $10K to sub $1K, big difference in boat, big difference in price eh!

My personal (bottom feeder) opinion, is that SS you just posted, by far

 

[mustangcoupe69]

Re: New to boats, want to get a fair deal on a 2000 Starfire 160

Ha! Yah, from nearly $10K to sub $1K, big difference in boat, big difference in price eh!

My personal (bottom feeder) opinion, is that SS you just posted, by far

I've been looking at your rebuild threads this morning. My wife will dislike me considering what you have to say! That SS seems like it could be a decent level of project for me, maybe something to start with.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: New to boats, want to get a fair deal on a 2000 Starfire 160

Yah, you'd have a whole bunch of work involved rebuilding that SS, way less money than $10K though!

You no doubt have the skills to rebuild, time and space would be the other two factors.

I'd venture to say if you like rebuilding cars, you'd like rebuilding boats too:joyous:

 

[mustangcoupe69]

Re: New to boats, want to get a fair deal on a 2000 Starfire 160

Yah, you'd have a whole bunch of work involved rebuilding that SS, way less money than $10K though!

You no doubt have the skills to rebuild, time and space would be the other two factors.

I'd venture to say if you like rebuilding cars, you'd like rebuilding boats too:joyous:

Indeed... I have a few things to ponder it seems.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Re: New to boats, want to get a fair deal on a 2000 Starfire 160

Something to consider when shopping for a used boat.

Fiberglass boats almost always rot from the inside out. A small amount of rain water/snow melt, especially if that water re-freezes, will kill a 'glass boat at a young age. While they can be repaired, removing and replacing the floor and stringer in a 'glass boat requires a lot more time, labor and materials ($,$$$ !) than replacing the floor and some rivets in a tin boat.

 

[barato2]

Re: New to boats, want to get a fair deal on a 2000 Starfire 160

hey, welcome to the mob. lots of good advice above; we can even help with trying to keep your spouse from killing you. show her some "before and after" pics of some of the Rustangs you've done....

compared to any car resto, a tin boat is cake. imagine not having to deal with body rust....:whoo: and as El Wiz notes, glass boats are great if you like cutting and grinding out old fiberglass, less so if you're not a masochist.