I?m at the crossroad on my decision to buy, refurbish & repower a 70?s era 18? Starcraft Mariner or to just purchase a used boat that?s ready to go.
I?m calling this potential project a refurbish because I would move the center console further forward, modify the casting deck & repower with a Honda outboard.
The Mariner has sat uncovered, parked & forlorn for at least the last 8 seasons that I know of without seeing any water time. The original Evinrude engine & roller bunk trailer are beyond salvage, but using the info/tips from this website I?m confident that I could bring back the boat.
As I?m a devote Honda outboard fan/owner, my desire would be to repower the Mariner with at least a 75hp Honda & use a currently owned Honda 15 for auxiliary motor/trolling duty. As used Honda 75 outboards are scarce, this would probably wind up being a new engine which is clouding my decision making process.
Judging by what others have posted for materials of their boat projects, adding a new outboard, & to replace the trailer, the refurbish Mariner project would approach $12-$13K level.
In this economy & in the West Michigan area, $12-$13K can buy a pretty nice used boat/motor/trailer, but a used boat wouldn?t be configured exactly how I would want it for fishing.
The ?admiral? knows that I want to upgrade to a larger fishing boat (currently original owner of a 1995 Starcraft SF14LW), so before I start negotiations with her, I need a plan & some sage advice from you folks.
What are your thoughts?
I?m calling this potential project a refurbish because I would move the center console further forward, modify the casting deck & repower with a Honda outboard.
The Mariner has sat uncovered, parked & forlorn for at least the last 8 seasons that I know of without seeing any water time. The original Evinrude engine & roller bunk trailer are beyond salvage, but using the info/tips from this website I?m confident that I could bring back the boat.
As I?m a devote Honda outboard fan/owner, my desire would be to repower the Mariner with at least a 75hp Honda & use a currently owned Honda 15 for auxiliary motor/trolling duty. As used Honda 75 outboards are scarce, this would probably wind up being a new engine which is clouding my decision making process.
Judging by what others have posted for materials of their boat projects, adding a new outboard, & to replace the trailer, the refurbish Mariner project would approach $12-$13K level.
In this economy & in the West Michigan area, $12-$13K can buy a pretty nice used boat/motor/trailer, but a used boat wouldn?t be configured exactly how I would want it for fishing.
The ?admiral? knows that I want to upgrade to a larger fishing boat (currently original owner of a 1995 Starcraft SF14LW), so before I start negotiations with her, I need a plan & some sage advice from you folks.
What are your thoughts?
