Why do you do it?

[Starman8]

Why do we all take old goats and try to make something of them? Why do we choose Starcraft? I also like LUND. Almost pulled the trigger on a water ready 1983 LUND for a few more bucks than what I paid for my old goat 79 SS18.

Here are my reasons:

Once made good bucks as a CPA. Even then, I couldn't justify the expensive boats and the payment booklet. Too much going on with the kids to look at a new boat sitting in the driveway for 49/52 weeks each year. I had 2 glass I/O's and they were great ski boats, bad for fishing.

Secondly, I love to fish and I love to pull the kids and better half water skiing.

Thirdly, I like to create, design, build, and enjoy the results like most guys.

Those are the main reasons, as well as the economics of it. I get to fish with guys who have 30-40k late model Star's. One of them(SFM18) leaks and had ETEC engine problems, one other(FM21) doesn't know how to handle a boat, and it rides like crapola on big water. My 2000 Star rode better than both!!

My slogans..........." wanna get on the water as cheap as possible"............." want to look at the boat and never say what a waste of money sitting in the yard"

 

[North Beach]

Re: Why do you do it?

I don't know man. I just take my boat out in the middle of the lake on a bright sunny day, throw the anchor and dive in. Then I just spend the next hour or so floating around on a PFD staring at the boat and I keep thinking AWESOME!!!!!

Not to mention all the conversations at the gas dock

 

[Nomad1972]

Re: Why do you do it?

Cheapest way onto the water safely. Stars have higher gunwales and more deadrise than other tin boats.

Great gas burn #s

 

[LonLB]

Re: Why do you do it?

Old boats are cheap.....And as old boats go the Starcraft boats 'look' more modern than all of them.

I've seen some of the Resto jobs that look like new boats and nearly everyone would never know otherwise.

I've had an aluminum boat, and a glass boat, one a deep V, and another a bass boat......
I got rid the deep v to get out of the payment. The bass boat I sold because I need a deep V to accommodate the family.

So now I'm in the market for a boat. And am planning to go pick it up this weekend. I already checked it out on Saturday.

It looks like a Starcraft to me, but he doesn't have a title, only registration (which I didn't check saturday). He said he thinks it's a Sea Nymph, and I noticed the steering wheel said Sea Nymph, so maybe that is what it is.?

 

[outdoor max]

Re: Why do you do it?

I like the fact that I can have a 27 year old boat and still feel safe on the great lakes. It also helps that I paid about 1tenth of the price of a new one.

 

[fshngho]

Re: Why do you do it?

You should have asked for the meaning of life, it would have been easier. I have owned so many boats that I have lost count. On all of them I have tried to modify them to fit my needs, i.e. bass fishing. I have owned 3 glasstreams (fg) that I have enjoyed but completely rebuilt the first, separating the top and bottom half, rebuilding streamers, etc. I still have the last one but wanted an aluminum boat to rebuild. I've had the pleasure of trying to make a BASS Tourny boat out of many jon boats and I work with alum so it made sense.
Long story short, I bought the first SC for a friend and he backed out. Then I met you nuts and was hooked. I've always enjoyed my ability to build stuff, though not perfectly, and I like to learn. Tie all that together with the great people on here and what else can I do to keep myself out of trouble? As I have never said it on here, yeah, I am one of "those guys" that shall we say, have an addictive personality, so I stay happy and healthy with the help of this support group. This is my "WHY?". Now after a little time I have Brothers around the world that enjoy the same interest as I. Tie that with the fact that I have grandchildren that I dream one day will enjoy this Tin Can...and life is good.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Why do you do it?

I couldn't justify the expensive boats and the payment booklet.

Bingo.

I built my boat $100 and $200 at a time. I don't think anyone would have let me make sporadic payments on a newer one like that

Aluminum hulls are affordable, easier to restore, and take a good amount of abuse.

 

[fshngho]

Re: Why do you do it?

To put it in a nut shell, we can afford (or try to) a little money at a time. I don't believe anyone here can put out the money for a new boat, and the satisfaction of saying you did it yourself is beyond explanation. This is who we are and in case no-one has noticed, we aren't alone. We all have lives, other interests, and hobbies, but on here we can be brothers, Nuff said.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Why do you do it?

I agree with you guys, just want to add that if we all had bought newer boats or used Lund hulls we wouldn't have any cash left over for gluvit, gas or bait

For 1k I got on the water, and after another 1k and some more work it will be worth much more than that to me and my family.

NB, that's a great way to relax and be proud of the LL...by the way this is your month on the iboats calender and my 2.5 year old keeps pointing at the page and saying "that cool boat"...when Roslynn or I ask "which boat do you like?" he ALWAYS points at the Liquid Limo.

What can I say, he's got good taste in boats. I will explain the I/O thing to him when he's a bit older

 

[sasto]

Re: Why do you do it?

You guys put as much pride in your restore as the guy at the factory does in his new build...and it shows! Only difference is the guy at the factory has many boats to be proud of.....and well, yours is yours.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Why do you do it?

We'd be crazy not to do it, but go crazy doing it

 

[North Beach]

Re: Why do you do it?

That little guy has good taste, and evidently he isn't learnin challenged like E

And what frikkin calender?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Why do you do it?

That little guy has good taste, and evidently he isn't learnin challenged like E

And what frikkin calender?

That one you submitted your picture to you tard! And you say I'M learning challenged? Sheesh!

 

[N1265]

Re: Why do you do it?

When they make a better boat for the same price, I'll buy it !

 

[KellyC]

Re: Why do you do it?

Well I bought mine as it was cheap and I thought I could do something with her. I found this forum just before I bought her and this really seemed like a cool group of peeps that I would like to learn from. Ths is my second boat but only had the other 6 months before I bought this SC. I was in the market for a new boat and found me a really nice custom North River 24 ft, it was $32 K and had everything you could want on one. Just decided that I did not want a payment and actally liked the SC a lot after looking at it. I am very handy when it comes to most things although I have never done a boat and this will be interesting to do. If the freaking rain would go away it would be awsome. Clay and Jason were 2 that have inspired me along with everyone else and I thank them (I think) for that. Could not ask for a better bunch of loonies to chat and raz with.

 

[djpeters]

Re: Why do you do it?

My 2 year olds favorite saying applies here..."because I want too...."

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Why do you do it?

That little guy has good taste, and evidently he isn't learnin challenged like E

And what frikkin calender?

Don S made an iboats calender and the Liquid Limo is one of the 4 boats on the November page.

My question is how did they manage to steal the image of the Sunchief without your knowledge.

I can scan the calender for ya if you want NB. There are lots of Starcrafts in it, including my SS and one of EZ's boats.

I think we should make one just for tin Starcrafts in 2012 since we have plenty to work with.

 

[barato2]

Re: Why do you do it?

all of the above plus a few more reasons:
1. i modify everything i own cuz no one builds what i want
2. i can make it like new mechanically but leave it looking old and a bit tatty on outside so it's not a theft target
3. it's hard to find a condo in Mexico you can tow with a 4 cyl Taco
4. fuel ain't gonna be getting any cheaper in long run, and will become the main limiting factor on how often many folks can take their boat out
5. i'm an old fart who always loved big cabin cruisers and to me, this is how a boat is "supposed" to look
6. not many 18' hulls i'd consider taking across to Baja
7. dad used to take me to lots of boat shows back about time my hull was built and always wanted a real boat, but put the $ into kids instead....he now gets a real vicarious kick out of seeing me enjoy this thing

 

[Deadwood]

Re: Why do you do it?

^^^^^ Amen to #5 !! ^^^^^

 

[Alacat]

Re: Why do you do it?

After years of searching for the perfect boat

Lessons I have learned!

Ain't no such thing as the perfect boat!
Every one has to be torn apart and put back together right!
You can't add enough thingys to a boat!
A hole in a boat is an excuse to add another thingy!
Boats can't go fast or smooth enough!
Small boats don't have enough room!
Big boats don't have enough room!
Big boats ride great and fish like crap!
Little boats fish great and ride like crap!
The wife won't like it cause it ain't got a bathroom!
If you have two boats, you left it in the other boat!
If you have one boat, you need another!
If you don't have a boat, you just don't understand!
Boats are just like women,
treat her bad and you will be in over your head before you knew what happened!
So find one you are comfortable with,
buy her presents once in a while,
tell her that she's pretty, and don't let her see you
looking at the new shiny models with more horsepower than you can use!​