thinking about buying, opinions?

[bb1111]

Hello,
I am thinking about buying a 1986 starcraft ss18 with a 1978 150 hp johnson. The owner says that the motor runs well and the floor/transom is solid.. assuming that what he says is correct do you guys think that $1500 is a good price? From what I have read and gathered from the forum it seems like a great price...

 

[dozerII]

Re: thinking about buying, opinions?

Welcome BB, looks like a great boat and a great deal. Poke around real good under the consuls for rotten wood, as well as soft spots in the deck and transom. Are you sure it is an 18? I have not come across an 18 with an in floor fuel tank.

 

[classiccat]

Re: thinking about buying, opinions?

wow man, that's alot of motor! good/even compression on all cylinders, clean/functioning LU (no shavings/water in oil) and a strong spark on all cyls would make this a very good deal.

Is there a TnT unit? i don't see it on the bracket.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: thinking about buying, opinions?

There is well over $1500 worth of stuff there. Buy it. Heck, if that bow mount trolling motor comes with it, that's $500+ right there.

BlueFin, no such thing as a TnT-less V6 as far as I know.

 

[bob johnson]

Re: thinking about buying, opinions?

dozer, what is making you think there is a gas tank under the floor?? Bluefin: you can see the trim rods in the picture of the motor...so it does have TNT, besides what else could be holding the motor out like that??.....seems like a decent boat.....motor in decent condition should be worth $800- $1500 alone, at least in the northeast...the trailer has to be worth $400.. you have to be diligent and check out for soft spots in the floor or transom, you should be able to look at the inside of the transom for darker wood..... the big ticket item on this rig is if the motor is in good running condition...if so... and the floor is not rotted...it looks like a good deal bob

 

[classiccat]

Re: thinking about buying, opinions?

Bluefin: you can see the trim rods in the picture of the motor...so it does have TNT, besides what else could be holding the motor out like that?

so the hydraulics pull-down-top rather than push-out-bottom; makes sense...I've never had the luxury of TnT :violin:

 

[ezmobee]

Re: thinking about buying, opinions?

dozer, what is making you think there is a gas tank under the floor?? Bluefin: you can see the trim rods in the picture of the motor...so it does have TNT, besides what else could be holding the motor out like that??.....seems like a decent boat.....motor in decent condition should be worth $800- $1500 alone, at least in the northeast...the trailer has to be worth $400.. you have to be diligent and check out for soft spots in the floor or transom, you should be able to look at the inside of the transom for darker wood..... the big ticket item on this rig is if the motor is in good running condition...if so... and the floor is not rotted...it looks like a good deal bob

For that price, I wouldn't care if all the wood in it was mulch.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: thinking about buying, opinions?

so the hydraulics pull-down-top rather than push-out-bottom; makes sense...I've never had the luxury of TnT :violin:

There's two sets of hydraulics, one for trim, one for tilt. Those are the trim rams we're seeing in the pic.

 

[STARCRAFT16SS]

Re: thinking about buying, opinions?

Looks like a great deal...if the 150hp outboard is in good shape...what part of the country?...
West Coast/East Coast seems to have much higher prices...best/cheapest prices for Starcraft seem to be
in Minnesota/Wisconsin/Michigan .. area
Don't be a stranger..love to chat...I see you have been a member
since 2007 but only posted 2 times...hiding in the weeds...:joyous:

 

[bob johnson]

Re: thinking about buying, opinions?

so the hydraulics pull-down-top rather than push-out-bottom; makes sense...I've never had the luxury of TnT :violin:

no PULL DOWN..... I tried to lift my high and dry boat by lowering my motor...but it just gave up....so NOT a lot of strength PULLING....the motor goes down mostly from the weight of the motor... the hydraulic unit just retracts the single ram that lifts the motor off of the twin trim arms...and the weight makes the motor fall... the ram is in total control though....so the motor wont rise when you are in reverse....the hydraulics drive it up and control it coming down....... bob

 

[dozerII]

Re: thinking about buying, opinions?

dozer, what is making you think there is a gas tank under the floor?? bob

The two round access hatches in the floor!!

 

[ctswf]

Re: thinking about buying, opinions?

Wow looks like a great deal! Swivel seats too!

One thing to check is the max rated hp, many of the 18' are 140 max (my old 1969 is 125 max). In a state like CT that can be an issue with registration, I would still buy it though

 

[roscoe]

Re: thinking about buying, opinions?

18' aluminum starcraft w/150 hp johnson
(Item #: 1016493)

Description
1986 Starcraft ss18 deep V aluminum guide style boat w/ 150 hp Johnson motor with power trim.Nice single axle trailer w/side guides. new Minn Kota Edge trolling motor up front and Eagle Cuda depth finder.Livewell $1,500 FIRM. Can text pictures 573-259-



City: Sullivan
State: MO

 

[jasoutside]

Re: thinking about buying, opinions?

For that price, I wouldn't care if all the wood in it was mulch.

Agreed, that package is sweet at $1500!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: thinking about buying, opinions?

One thing to check is the max rated hp, many of the 18' are 140 max (my old 1969 is 125 max). In a state like CT that can be an issue with registration, I would still buy it though

My '76 is rated for 150. Go figure. Kinda weird, seemingly identical hulls are rated anywhere from 120-150 over the years.

 

[InMotion]

Re: thinking about buying, opinions?

My '76 is rated for 150. Go figure. Kinda weird, seemingly identical hulls are rated anywhere from 120-150 over the years.

Ez... I know my Father's boat was rated for and 80 but sold as a package with an Evinrude.... the next year, same boat was re-rated for a 90 to accommodate an JonnyRude 90. I suspect that manufactures ratings are based on what the manufacturers were building for engines at the time the boat was being produced not so much the max hp the boat would take before it self destructed!

J.

 

[bb1111]

Re: thinking about buying, opinions?

Thanks for all the responses guys! I unfortunately was too busy with work to go take a look at it and it sold. Oh well the search continues. Aluminum deep v's at a reasonable price are far and few between where I live. Glad I found this section of the forum though..

 

[barato2]

Re: thinking about buying, opinions?

ahh, a water ready one isn't as much fun anyway, you would have felt left out if you didn't get to scrape out waterlogged foam and replace a rotten transom..........

 

[bob johnson]

Re: thinking about buying, opinions?

Thanks for all the responses guys! I unfortunately was too busy with work to go take a look at it and it sold. Oh well the search continues. Aluminum deep v's at a reasonable price are far and few between where I live. Glad I found this section of the forum though..

where is it that you live??bob

 

[classiccat]

Re: thinking about buying, opinions?

Bummer! I was looking forward to a splash-video of a tinny breaking the sound barrier :lol: