new to Starcraft

[Kyzzyle]

I have a family friend who is selling a 50s-60s Starcraft utility boat, and I'd love to get some opinions and info on it from those in the know. He found it half-buried in a cedar thicket on a hunting trip about 1990. It's history before that is unknown. It has an Evinrude 25hp, although we're not sure on its exact age either. He last registered the boat as a 1950 model, and it's about 16ft. The engine runs (with some effort--it has sat for 5 years), and there are no leaks. He's asking $500.

What do y'all think?

 

[jasoutside]

Re: new to Starcraft

That is pretty cool that he found it.

I can just see it...

"Hey guys, look what I found! Yah, how ya like me now?!"

I am a huge cheapo so I might not be the best to ask if it's worth it. If you could get that Evinrude running well that might be a great deal! My question is how much $$$ will it take to do that though. Sometimes stuff can start to add up on motors that sit for long periods of time.

I dunno, he is yur buddy. Say, "hey buddy, would you take $300 on it?" and see what happens.

Welcome and have fun!

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: new to Starcraft

I'm with my El Cheapo brother Jas. Talk him down a bit if you can.

Maybe we should get CheapboatKev's opinion.

Good luck.

 

[Kyzzyle]

Re: new to Starcraft

Thanks for the input, guys. I will see if I can talk the price down a bit. The engine ran okay once we got some fresh gas in it and played with the choke a bit. It has a pull crank, so my definition of "some effort" may rather be an indication of my fitness.

Is there any chance of finding an OEM style/fit drain plug for one of these? It has a plug, but it is an aftermarket expanding foam rubber type, but the plug hole itself is threaded. It works, but you know how those materials deteriorate over time.

Any advice on cleaning up old aluminum? I need to get the old decals off, and I'd like to do something on the interior hull, either carpet or bedliner (is that even possible or advisable?).

I haven't even picked up this boat and I'm afraid it'll just be the first Starcraft, after seeing all the great restos on this forum. They look great!

 

[fshngho]

Re: new to Starcraft

Ky, if you read a few resto's you will get the understanding of what to do to make your boat ship shape. Some guys use pressure washers, vineger and water, or just a brush. To seal it use Gluvit and then you will have to paint it or undercoat it (Gluvit isn't UV resistant).
For the plug, check out Iboats. You can probably find it here and since they are our Host...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: new to Starcraft

Man you guys are cheap. That 1981 Evrinde 25 in running condition is worth like $750 by itself and that nice big tinny is worth the $500 all by itself. Doesn't look like a Starcraft to me though. Looks more like an Alumacraft.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: new to Starcraft

Man you guys are cheap. That 1981 Evri

nde 25 in running condition is worth like $750 by itself and that nice big tinny is worth the $500 all by itself. Doesn't look like a Starcraft to me though. Looks more like an Alumacraft.

I agree with everything that ez just said here, so x2!

 

[Kyzzyle]

Re: new to Starcraft

I'm pretty sure it's a Starcraft. It has the stars on the corner and bow caps (not sure the proper term for them). I don't have a picture of them directly, but here is a closer shot of the back, where you can see an old (original?) decal that says "* craft", although it's a bit cut off in the shot.

Glad to find a year and positive opinion on the Evinrude! I think with a good cleaning she'll be just fine.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: new to Starcraft

Nice boat, and the outboard is a good one too.

The hull has nice high sides and looks very solid as they all were back in the day. It's probably rated for 40hp tiller and higher with steering wheel.

Good luck with it and maybe check out some brochures to get an ID for the boat. There is a link in my signature to some Starcraft brochures, also check out Fiberglassics.com as they have brochures for Alumacraft I believe.

If could be almost anything ending in "craft" as that was almost standard ie Mirrocraft, Alumacraft, AeroCraft etc.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: new to Starcraft

Yeah none of that is typical SC. We'll still let you in the tin-can club though

 

[Kyzzyle]

Re: new to Starcraft

I like a good mystery.

I've looked through the old SC brochures, and the closest thing I see is a "Seafarer", but it had mahogany benches--of course they could be long gone by now.