Time and investment - 1975 18' SS

[phdfishhead]

Hi guys,

Kinda new to posting here, though been prowling around for a couple years. I grew up fishing and skiing with a 1971 18' SS with a 115 Hp Rude. Since then, been kinda partial to that outfit, even though I witnessed it age and degrade. We literally wore the rude out and later put a 150 Merc on it. Then a few years later, the boat was sold by the family. I've missed that boat ever since.

I've come across the opprotunity to pick a 1975 SS up with a 135 hp rude on it for < $500. The hull looks ok but the interior and transom are long past gone. Transom end caps are missing and the spash guard is cracked. The trailer is too small, etc. Looks like the rest of it is there. I can't check if the motor or TnT work/move, cause there are no keys...Nevertheless they look rough.

I've been reading all of the success stories on here regarding restorations and its got me a bit psyched. But I need a bit of a reality check. Regarding the boat itself, what's it gonna take in man hours to go entirely through it, including painting inside and outside the hull, redoing the floor and transom, etc.? Also, what can I expect regarding the amount of $$ invested?

Thanks for your help

 

[starcrafter65]

Re: Time and investment - 1975 18' SS

All those bits and pieces are tough to come by - transom caps...without going into detail - you are looking at 1200-1500 to fix the boat (floors/seats/paint/glue/rivets/gluevit) + plus the parts you are missing. - then you need a new trailer - then you have the motor...

Honestly - there are tons of Sc's out there - where are you located - having done 2 already - sounds like a pass to me....even if it were free.....

 

[Raystownboater]

Re: Time and investment - 1975 18' SS

I would "pass" on that and subscribe to the "Starcraft's on Craigs List" thread. The guys troll Craigslist daily and post the deals. There are a TON of great deals out there and 2 TONS of info here to help you with fixing her up!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Time and investment - 1975 18' SS

If that 135 has power TnT, the TnT unit itself is worth $400. That boat will haul with that motor. I'd buy it. Trailer is the biggest issue however I recently got a price quote of around $1500 for a BRAND NEW galvanized trailer which seemed pretty reasonable to me. I spent a ton of money on my restoration but what I spent is not necessarily a reflection of what a resto needs to cost. You can get an aluminum Starcraft safely on the water with some exterior plywood, exterior paint, and low end seats very reasonably.

 

[phdfishhead]

Re: Time and investment - 1975 18' SS

Thanks guys...

In general, what would be the time comittment in man hours someone could expect?

Live in Green Bay, WI

Yes, I found it on Craigslist and it is listed in the Starcrafts on craigslist thread.

Interesting to hear that you'd both pass on it. Seems like the hull alone would be worth a few bucks, even if the motor and trailer were nothing more than scrap. Nevertheless, it would be nice to find one in a bit better shape. I found one already restored for about $2900

 

[starcrafter65]

Re: Time and investment - 1975 18' SS

If that 135 has power TnT, the TnT unit itself is worth $400. That boat will haul with that motor. I'd buy it. Trailer is the biggest issue however I recently got a price quote of around $1500 for a BRAND NEW galvanized trailer which seemed pretty reasonable to me. I spent a ton of money on my restoration but what I spent is not necessarily a reflection of what a resto needs to cost. You can get an aluminum Starcraft safely on the water with some exterior plywood, exterior paint, and low end seats very reasonably.

EZ are you high?

The boat is missing the transom caps - which never seem to show up - chances are its missing other interior pieces too - again tough to find. You say one can get a trailer for 1500 - you should be able to get a running - though cosmetically rough - BoatMotorTrailer for $1500.

The motor and TNT can't be confirmed to work - which everyone knows = doesn't work....which is why the boat sat in the first place - and then got scavenged.....

Run away!! There are tons of others.....and lots of deals coming up in the fall....

www.craiggers.com - you can search the whole of North America....

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Time and investment - 1975 18' SS

No I am not high. If we were talking about a greater initial investment I would have a different opinion. But for $500.....there is EASILY more than $500 worth of stuff there. Even untested (meaning broken) pre-'78 TnT units go for hundreds on ebay plus you've got the lower unit, etc etc. And that's assuming the motor can't be made to run and would need to be parted out. MichaelP is making the transom caps so they are obtainable. If it was local to me, I'd buy it just to fix up and sell.

 

[phdfishhead]

Re: Time and investment - 1975 18' SS

Whoa whoa whoa...

only one end cap is missing. I've already located a pair for $100. I am familiar with the necessary interior components of this model. The rest appears to be there.

The boat was owned by an elderly gentleman who suffered a stroke. It sat for 20years. The boat was passed down to his daughter, but the keys could not be located. Thus, the trim and motor can not be checked. But yes, I have to assume that they won't work. It is in rough shape. Is the hull worth anything?

Still lookin for a man hours estimate also...

Thanks

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Time and investment - 1975 18' SS

Posted at the same time.

I fixed mine up over the course of a winter. Couldn't give you an hours estimate but it wasn't bad. Most time spent waiting for coatings to dry. Read my resto thread for an idea of what's ahead of you.

I paid $1000 for mine with an untested motor. Could have been junk (fortunately it wasn't). Unless it's missing a windshield of something I'd grab it.

I DID PASS on another 18' SS for $400 but that's cuz it had an incomplete Chrysler on the back of it, a weird non-original windshield and was sitting on a strange homemade trailer.

 

[phdfishhead]

Re: Time and investment - 1975 18' SS

Thanks ez..

I've studied your and everyone elses rest threads several times. It seems very doable.

My problem is that I do not have a heated garage. So I'll be workin on it when I should be using it. You know how the wife can get when $$ goin out on what appears to be a POS project, without any kind of immediate gratification. So, time will be worth a premium. However, I enjoy such projects. Snowmobiles have been takin up my time for quite a few years.

Really, my questions are not about whether I sould run or buy. My questions are about time and money. I'd prolly make my wife happier buying a 10 year old fish and ski style tin boat ready to go for $10-15K.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Time and investment - 1975 18' SS

I hear where you're coming from although I certainly did not have the option to buy a nice water-ready boat. If I were you, I would buy that boat and see what it would take to get the motor running. If you're really concerned about the $500 being too much to invest in a hope.....then do a compression test on the motor before you buy it. (take a battery and jump the starter). If it's good compression, there's a real good chance the motor can be made to run well for not a ton of money. If it does not have good compression, or requires expensive repairs, part the rig out and make your money back (probably plus some). Nothing lost.

If the motor can be gotten running, do so and take it for a ride sitting on lawn chairs. http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/dad_driving_dana.jpg

Once satisfied, start tearing into it. My single biggest expense was seats because I got really nice ones and I got 6 of 'em. That purchase plus the initial boat purchase ended up being fully funded by the sale of my old boat. Then you're looking at plywood, epoxy, floor and interior coverings, paint, consumables, and fasteners. After that it's nice add-ons like gauges, electronics, accessories, etc etc. And of course you'll be searching for a more suitable trailer.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: Time and investment - 1975 18' SS

^^^ x2

 

[phdfishhead]

Re: Time and investment - 1975 18' SS

Ez...sounds like a good plan (and coincides with my intial plan), but...

The transom is too bad to use at all...

In fact, I'd be lookin for transom measurements, since the old one probably can not be used as a template. Are they available somewhere?

Fuel lines are rotted...the wiring is probably bad (especially in the boat)...the list goes on...

I believe that the motor can be rebuilt for around $1500 (worst case scenario).

If I dump $1500 into the hull and $1500 into a trailer.

And give it 120 man hours of my labor...(my estimate).

For $4500-$5000 I'd have a next to new 1975 SS w/135 hp rude.

Fair for worse case scenario? I figure I might be able to scrounge around for deals and sell old trailer and maybe save myself at best around $1K.

I expect that work on the TnT, wiring, ect might add another $500 or so.

Then I just have to put up with poor fuel economy (We used to run through $100 per day back in the 80's and 90's with the 115 rude - we ran that motor hard).

Does this seem reasonable to expect?

In all honesty, I'm not that worried about the motor, as long as the hull is worth the price. I know that I can put an verified running motor on it for $1500 or less.

 

[starcrafter65]

Re: Time and investment - 1975 18' SS

Ez...sounds like a good plan (and coincides with my intial plan), but...

The transom is too bad to use at all...

In fact, I'd be lookin for transom measurements, since the old one probably can not be used as a template. Are they available somewhere?

Fuel lines are rotted...the wiring is probably bad (especially in the boat)...the list goes on...

I believe that the motor can be rebuilt for around $1500 (worst case scenario).

If I dump $1500 into the hull and $1500 into a trailer.

And give it 120 man hours of my labor...(my estimate).

For $4500-$5000 I'd have a next to new 1975 SS w/135 hp rude.Fair for worse case scenario? I figure I might be able to scrounge around for deals and sell old trailer and maybe save myself at best around $1K.

I expect that work on the TnT, wiring, ect might add another $500 or so.

Then I just have to put up with poor fuel economy (We used to run through $100 per day back in the 80's and 90's with the 115 rude - we ran that motor hard).

Does this seem reasonable to expect?

In all honesty, I'm not that worried about the motor, as long as the hull is worth the price. I know that I can put an verified running motor on it for $1500 or less.

There you have it - for $4500-$5000 of labor time and material and cash and time - you'll have a new boat - check mine out - that is exactly what I paid to go from Junk Hull for 700 bucks with a crap trailer to where I am now - also check Azlo's ....for that kind of budget you can get alot of boat in today's market - in fact for $3000 - you could probably get a solid runner, with TNT with a useable trailer

My advice - - unless you are into/excited/enthusiastic about a complete resto and a new trailer - which you might since this boat has a connection (a positive!!) --- look around some more.


Boat - 750
New Trailer tires/axles bearing - 450
Seats - 800
Painting Stripping Etc - 500
New Motor- 375
Outdrive - 1200
Mechanic Help - 300
Doo Dads (bow lights, etc) - 250
Flatbed hauling when trailer went - 260
Floor - Wood - 250
Floor Nautolex - 150
Scavenged steering cable.......

$5500 for a new SC H18 - that is either :facepalm: or or

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Time and investment - 1975 18' SS

For $4500-$5000 I'd have a next to new 1975 SS w/135 hp rude.

Yep. That's pretty much what I have and I friggin' LOVE my boat. LOVE IT! And you get to pay out that $5k in sporatic $100 increments. Not likely to find anyone selling a water-ready boat willing to let you do that!

Where are you located? We SC guys like to know where everyone is from so if you wouldn't mind updating your profile......

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Time and investment - 1975 18' SS

I don't think you'd find a water ready boat in this:

or this:

condition for $5k

 

[phdfishhead]

Re: Time and investment - 1975 18' SS

Ok...that's what I needed to know (in part).

Still would like to get a better handle on the time factor.

I'm not interested in $3K worth of other people's problems. Under that scenario, it better come with a good running motor and trailer and can be spashed for a season or two before any resto is necessary.

IMO - $500 is not much of a risk...if you have the time to put into it. That's my biggest hangup.

Updated my profile per ez suggestions...

BTW - Nice boats!

 

[starcrafter65]

Re: Time and investment - 1975 18' SS

I don't think you'd find a water ready boat in this:

or this:

condition for $5k

OK OK UNCLE!!!!!!:redface:

PS - Don't underestimate a good trailer!

I probably have 200-300 hours into mine ......but that's why we do this right?....cheaper than bail money or a mistress

 

[phdfishhead]

Re: Time and investment - 1975 18' SS

OK OK UNCLE!!!!!!:redface:

PS - Don't underestimate a good trailer!

I probably have 200-300 hours into mine ......but that's why we do this right?....cheaper than bail money or a mistress

Thanks! Love to tinker on this kind of stuff...so its prolly game on.

And yes to the trailer. Not naive about those things...Being an Aquatic Scientist and grew up a farmer, this ain't my first rodeo.

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: Time and investment - 1975 18' SS

If you like a challenge and like working on things go for it. I bought mine not to save a ton of money but for a project. I was looking for a rod or muscle car to restore. I love to fish and found this site so here I am. After my boat is done, and it will get done, I'll be able to look at it and remeber what I overcame to fix it. The friends I have made in the Starmada are priceless too.

If it takes me 2 years and 5k, I win. I win big. My son wins, and I will end up fishing and/or boating with at least a few of these guys after. Winner, winner, chicken dinner. That's just me though. Maybe a water ready boat fits you better. Only you know what's best for you. Starmada's here either way. Choose wisely weedhopper.

It it not time for me to leave yet.