Thoughts on first Starcraft (64 Barracuda)

[michaelbrown06]

Hello Starcrafters!
I'm planning to sell my old motorcycle and pick up something alot safer (arguably).. and old runabout!
I've been searching for something in the ~$2k price range and came up with this:

http://frederick.craigslist.org/boa/3249716844.html

In case you don't want to visit a nice craigslist ad with a TON of actually USEFUL pictures (so rare!) I'll describe it real quick.
1964 Starcraft Barracuda (I haven't found any information on this model though) its fiberglass, 15' LOA
1997 Johnson 30hp
Biminy top, nifty cover system, etc etc.
$2200

Anyway, I'd be really interested to hear what you guys think about this deal. I'm planning to go check it out this Sunday and I'll definitely report back on what I see.

I am nervous about the wood parts of the boat. I spoke with the seller on the phone and he says the floor and the transom are "fine". He wasn't very talkative. I plan to be very critical with the floor because I'm not ready at this point to do a full resto, and if I was, I'd be picking up an aluminum boat (I've been though a few of the resto threads on this forum and they look GREAT). Can anyone give me any tips on how to judge the solidity of the transom? I've read on some of the threads that I can stand on the engine's lower end and look for flex in the transom. I'm not sure the seller would appreciate that but obviously I can put some weight on it and shake it around. Anything else?

Thoughts on the price? He is claiming the motor is in good shape and actually included a video of the thing starting up.

In case anyone is wondering why I'm looking at this type of boat:
I think the runabout styling of these boats looks really great. Curved windshield = awesome. I'm not so into fishing, but I live in Annapolis and I spend alot of time on the water in sailboats. However Annapolis is generally known for very light winds and this can be frustrating. There are alot of rivers and inlets around the Chesapeake though that I'd like to explore with a friend of with my girlfriend and bring along some sandwiches and a brewski or two. In any case these boats look like they're just as fun as my motorcycle and less likely to kill me.

Thanks!!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Thoughts on first Starcraft (64 Barracuda)

Nice looking vintage glass SC.

Even w/ a perfect running 30hp newer Johnson, $2K is very optimistic. I'd guess $1250-1500 asking, hope to get $1-1200. Look thru WoodOnGlass LoneStar (Blue Flamingo) resto, his is the only 1960's vintage glass that I can think of, that didn't need pretty much a full gut. He got lucky, extremely lucky, and will tell you he was extremely happy to get lucky & not have to do stringers, deck & transom.

Take an awl with you, and ASK 1st before you probe the inside of the transom for soft spots. Same with every surface of the deck you can get you awl onto. Seat bases too..

I was going to comment on it's general overall condition, and the shine of the blue gelcoat indicates it was very well taken care of, and you might get lucky too. Then I scanned the pix again & these spider cracks need to be more closely inspected:

That had me looking back thru the pix again:

That looks like there has been some recent caulking applied around the backer for the bow eye. Not a big deal, but also deserves a look.
As do these darker spots on the transom:

Caulk? Damage repair? Again, not a deal breaker, but worth a closer look...

If the motor fires & runs in a bucket or on muffs, it will certainly work, but the boat could take a larger motor, and w/ the current 30hp it looks like it would perform better & benefit from raising it a few inches. It looks like the Anti-Ventilation/Anti-Cavitation plate is well below the keel. Here's a rough suggestion of AV plate height:

A 15' running OB boat would be great for the day tripping around the Chesepeake, but it isn't a big water boat for very rough conditions. I could use 1 around these parts :facepalm:

 

[michaelbrown06]

Re: Thoughts on first Starcraft (64 Barracuda)

Thanks for the thorough reply!

That is a good idea about the awl, here's hoping that I'm as lucky as Wood! I'll be checking for softness with the awl, as well as soft/sagging floor and be sure to check near the seat mounts. Also a good point on the new looking caulk up near the bow and the holes/dark spots in the transom. In the photo I noticed some empty holes near the keel, hopefully those have been sealed up at least! What I'd really like to do is take off the caps on the tops of the transom sides, and actually get a LOOK at the wood core. I'm not sure if the seller would allow it, but I'll bring a screwdriver just in case. I mean, its only two screws, right?



Interesting point about the height of the AV fins... I hadn't noticed that until you mentioned it. I wonder if he installed a long shaft motor when a short shaft was more appropriate.

Forgot to mention the trailer earlier, it looks like its in great shape.

I did notice the spider cracks in the white gelcoat in the pictures. Going over the pictures carefully and it looks like it is all over the entire bottom. I figured it was just what happened to gelcoat after 50 years. I'm sure the bottom could use a thorough sanding and possibly I could prime and paint the bottom this winter. As far as examining the spider cracks, I guess I would just check to make sure it is superficial everywhere and do alot of testing for hull softness, right?

Thanks again!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Thoughts on first Starcraft (64 Barracuda)

The spider cracks are likely related to the age of the gelcoat. But could be stress from any # of things flexing the transom or what ever surface they are in/on. Spider cracks may be harder to repair because until you start grinding them out, hard to say how bad. And it doesn't take any less effort, time or material to grind & repair multiple spider cracks as it would to repair a major crack. It just looks like the bigger crack should be harder to repair.