Starcraft 18 Restoration

[onthemerrimack]

Hi,
i'm thinking about purchasing a gutted, early 80's aluminum starcraft 18ft. The owner says that the floor was recently put in (fiberglass). The transom and hull seem sturdy. Does anyone know a good starting point once Ive made any necessary repairs to the hull? Cheap sources of good rug or any other useful/fuctional material? I'll be doing it on a tight budget and will build most structures about of wood. Also interested in good ways to secure these structures to the boat.
Thanks

 

[halas]

Re: Starcraft 18 Restoration

Does it have a motor?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Starcraft 18 Restoration

Well being one of the starcraft addicts here.......

Welcome to iboats!

A few things I will throw out for your thoughts.....

Steering with cable $175 + engine controls + seats + that trailer seems way too small for that boat...... the previous owner installed the decking??? I sure hope he treated the hull to prevent future leaks...... did he/she re-install the flotation OR did he just put plywood over rotting plywood? Usefull/functional deck covering would be durabak, or bedliner, or vinyl but that is almost the absolute last thing on the list of what to do.

Being on a tight budget ...... I doubt that boat will see water this season at all. Provide a few more pictures and read up on all of the starcraft restores going on.

As an example http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=310158&highlight=Bob_vt these are two hulls I saw for sale..... the one w/o power is a starcraft super sport and the other unknown. When I spoke with the guy I could have both with the trailers for $550. My point is there are many boats to get you out on the water but you want something in your budget.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Starcraft 18 Restoration

Welcome aboard...Ahhhhh another SC owner! We are really taking over...

I hear you about doing work on a tight budget..I have maybe $1,100 (if that) into my 18 ft Holiday, including the boat & trailer for $800.00

You have a lot of work to do...more so than I did in fact.
Bob is right about that trailer..she's about 2 feet shy of the stern...

If the prev owner did the deck himself, you will want to make sure you ask him if he used Gluv it to seal the rivets before the deck was laid in...He should know what & why you are asking..

You said you are thinking of buying this boat..can I ask what they are asking? There may be better projects to start with...

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Starcraft 18 Restoration

Better yet ask him what he used to seal the rivets under the deck and see if he gives the right answer if you give him the answer he might say yes just to sell the boat .


Rick

 

[lakeorbay]

Re: Starcraft 18 Restoration

Correct me if I'm wrong. No disrespect, but tight budget and restores don't go together. If you got to have it, get ready to spend more than you think.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Starcraft 18 Restoration

There are several of us that started with boats like this. The first thing you have to do is gut it. This is inexpensive and will give you some time to figure out what you want to do and most importantly, time to put together a budget.

Don't worry about what's in the boat now, just make sure the price is right and inform the seller that the only thing of value is the hull. Just make sure the hull is sound.

Even if the hull appears sound, taking it all apart is the only way to find all the problems that will bite you later.

The big money comes later in the game, after you get the deck back in. That's when you start looking at materials for your deck coverings, etc. You actually have very affordable expenses in the beginning but you definitly will need to buy a couple of gallons of elbow grease.

I have nearly 15,000.00 in my resto and it's really hard to see where the money went. I threw away the reciepts when I blew past 10,000.00 which was my budget. Don't worry, you don't have to spend that much to end up with a nice boat. I attempt to justify mine by comparing it to the purchase price of a new boat. As expensive as it was I still came in at half the cost and it's all paid for.

There's your incentive!

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Starcraft 18 Restoration

Correct me if I'm wrong. No disrespect, but tight budget and restores don't go together. If you got to have it, get ready to spend more than you think.

your wrong..just takes longer

 

[lakeorbay]

Re: Starcraft 18 Restoration

your wrong..just takes longer

might sink faster too.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Starcraft 18 Restoration

might sink faster too.

WTH?
Why would it sink faster? Thats a pretty arrogant statement.
Taking longer on a budget doesn't mean inferior NOR unsafe...
Nobody said anything about cutting corners, just takes a little longer to turn em...

 

[matthewp]

Re: Starcraft 18 Restoration

welcome, merrimack! I have to agree with much of what's been said here. First off, you've come to right place for Starcraft info. You won't find more knowledgable people. I'm restoring my 85 21' center console. It's a labor of love. Financially, it can be crazy. Kev's rewriting the book on resto finances - (hats off to ya brother). I've got at least 3,000 in materials for my resto. it took about $650 to just to get from the bare hull up to the deck:

gluvit: $50
floatation: $100
plywood - $100
epoxy resin and fiberglass cloth: $150
wicked fancy way cool non-slip paint (durabak - yet to go on): $250.

That's not counting the small stuff like rivets, paint brushes, etc. You see how things can add up quick. Not trying to discourage, but just giving you some info as to what you'll be in for. Whatever you decide - best of luck!

 

[lakeorbay]

Re: Starcraft 18 Restoration

WTH?
Why would it sink faster? Thats a pretty arrogant statement.
Taking longer on a budget doesn't mean inferior NOR unsafe...
Nobody said anything about cutting corners, just takes a little longer to turn em...

I was just being a jack ***** having some fun. Sounds like you have more experience than me.

I'm an impulse buyer. I have an empty wallet and a lot of useless stuff around the house to prove it. I must have the safest, biggest, strongest, fastest most shiny thing out there. When it comes to my boat, which keeps me, my family and friends above water, that definitely won't change.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Starcraft 18 Restoration

I was just being a jack ***** having some fun. Sounds like you have more experience than me.

I'm an impulse buyer. I have an empty wallet and a lot of useless stuff around the house to prove it. I must have the safest, biggest, strongest, fastest most shiny thing out there. When it comes to my boat, which keeps me, my family and friends above water, that definitely won't change.

LOL... Yup,,, Want a PL65 Jack Plate rated at 350hp for $500.00. Only used once! I got a feeling I'm going to be getting tired of looking at it on the shelf in the shop.
Cost of building my boat 15,000.00 Cost of screw ups currently, 1000.00. Actuall boat value as appraised today and insured, 8,500.00. So, I'm 3,500.00 in the hole for cash and 1,000,000 dollars wealthier in pride.

There were sure a lot of sweat sounding E-Techs on the lake yesterday and oddly enough, more running Mariners than running Mercs (not that there's any difference in the two).

I think that falls right into this thread in that if you don't have a lot of money to waste, you tend to keep what you have in better shape. Did I say that right? Oh well ya'll know what I mean.

 

[lakeorbay]

Re: Starcraft 18 Restoration

LOL... Yup,,, Want a PL65 Jack Plate rated at 350hp for $500.00. Only used once! I got a feeling I'm going to be getting tired of looking at it on the shelf in the shop.
Cost of building my boat 15,000.00 Cost of screw ups currently, 1000.00. Actuall boat value as appraised today and insured, 8,500.00. So, I'm 3,500.00 in the hole for cash and 1,000,000 dollars wealthier in pride.

There were sure a lot of sweat sounding E-Techs on the lake yesterday and oddly enough, more running Mariners than running Mercs (not that there's any difference in the two).

I think that falls right into this thread in that if you don't have a lot of money to waste, you tend to keep what you have in better shape. Did I say that right? Oh well ya'll know what I mean.

If you still have it when I'm financially able, I'll take it!