We drove 225 miles to look at a 1982 Starcraft 18 foot SS which was a bit overpraised in the ad. I would rate the paint/exterior at a 4 or 5 of 10. The interior was redone and solid probably a seven of 10. Full top and side curtains and bow cover in decent shape, jackets and a tube, dead battery. Typical 1982 standard roller trailer probably a 5 for the year. 1982 Evinrude 115 with working trim/tilt and rough aluminum prop. So far so good but the compression readings were 100, 100, 100, 35. Cosmetically the engine was the nicest part of the group at probably an 8 but the compression is a major problem. Anybody want to make a guess on a fair price for the outfit? The owner seemed like a real decent young guy but didn't have much boating experience. He bought the boat from a friend and hadn't used it but said he started it on the muffs and it ran ok. Again, guesses on what it is worth?
I recently got a 16' '79 SS with running 80hp(on muffs) for that price and an 18' with a 115 would be great. I'd be a bit leery with the bad compression on the one cylinder, but SS's are great boats and you're talking pretty good condition with extras.
The one I just bought was priced at $1800. That was with no interior, decent trailer, and a 1981 Evinrude 90 with TnT. For that price I would have wanted to do a compression test on the motor. However, I made an offer of $1000 and the seller accepted. For that price I didn't test squat! I figured if the motor didn't run, I could part it out and still do OK. The TnT alone is worth a few hundred. (I lucked out though and the motor runs).
I'd go prolly as high as $1200 on that one, not sure if I'd go to $1500. You should do well parting out the 115 if you decide not to have it rebuilt. They are GREAT boats though. Good luck with it. I'm thrilled with mine. Knee deep in a restoration at the moment.
Sorry I didn't take any pics. The boat was listed at $1600 but he hadn't tested the compression. When we did the compression check, he indicated that he would take less. I felt the boat would need a lot of work to make it sharp and the engine could be $200 to $1500 to fix so I declined. By the way, I have a 1984 16 foot SS with original paint and interior which is probably a 9 out of 10 with a 1990 Johnson 60 trim/tilt. I've had several of the older Starcrafts and they really are super boats. If I didn't have the 16, I might have been more desperate on this 18 but it doesn't begin to compare with the 16 I already have. A good later 60hp on the 16' really moves it nicely with two adults and gives great fuel mileage. The 18' boat is up in the Madison, Wisconsin area.
1982 Starcraft 18' SS shopping
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