[ErikF]

Hi,

My mother is looking for a boat so she can take her sister's family out on the lake when they come to visit in a few weeks.

We found a 1966 Starcraft (fiberglass) with an Evinrude Lark V on the transom for $400 OBO. The boat is in fair condition but needs some repairs on the seats, the lights, bilge pump, horn, and engine all run light it just came off the lake.

We saw it run with muffs on and it started right up and seemed to run fine, it shifted smooth and everything seemed to work.

Is the Selectric shift something to run away from or is it an OK system, I believe the engine is a 45hp.

The only real sticking point in this deal is the trailer lacking a title, however we have a trailer with a clear title that we could use.

Advice? We would go out on our other boat, 1961 15' aluminum Starcraft with an Evinrude Lark IV 40hp but is has problems in the lower unit where it slips out of gear and it may be cheaper to pickup this boat than to have ours fixed.

Thanks for any advice.

Erik Fellenz

[steelespike]

Originally Posted by ErikF

Hi,

My mother is looking for a boat so she can take her sister's family out on the lake when they come to visit in a few weeks.

We found a 1966 Starcraft (fiberglass) with an Evinrude Lark V on the transom for $400 OBO. The boat is in fair condition but needs some repairs on the seats, the lights, bilge pump, horn, and engine all run light it just came off the lake.

We saw it run with muffs on and it started right up and seemed to run fine, it shifted smooth and everything seemed to work.

Is the Selectric shift something to run away from or is it an OK system, I believe the engine is a 45hp.

The only real sticking point in this deal is the trailer lacking a title, however we have a trailer with a clear title that we could use.

Advice? We would go out on our other boat, 1961 15' aluminum Starcraft with an Evinrude Lark IV 40hp but is has problems in the lower unit where it slips out of gear and it may be cheaper to pickup this boat than to have ours fixed.

Thanks for any advice.

Erik Fellenz

First of all "slipping out of gear"can be as simple as a shifter adjustment and usually at worse a worn clutch dog in the gear case.A simple repair on the
the 2 piece gearcase.
No 45 in 66 probably a 40 if a 2 cylinder.
A Properly maintained selectric shift is ok but some parts are scarce and it is a bear to service for shade tree mechanic.I wouldn't buy one.
Old fiberglass boats can be a nightmare with hidden rot.Be sure the floor is sound no weak spots , bulges or sags check that the bottom appears true.
check the transom take hold of the motor and shake it front to back watch for transom movement.

[ErikF]

Thanks for the reply,

I know the other o/b may be a simple fix but she wants it fixed now and with the amount of work that needs to get done I just don't have the time for another project right now.

I'll be making sure to check for soft spots when I go back to look this afternoon.

Thanks,

Erik

[tashasdaddy]

do not buy it with out a in water test, you may be buying the same problem with the lower unit. those older motors are known for bad clutch dogs. the thing can only shift so many times till they wear out.

[ErikF]

Originally Posted by tashasdaddy

do not buy it with out a in water test, you may be buying the same problem with the lower unit. those older motors are known for bad clutch dogs. the thing can only shift so many times till they wear out.

That was my plan, either an in water test or a written agreement that gives us a day or two to return the boat if any problems show up.

[ErikF]

Any other comments or suggestions?

I'll be going over to take a look in a couple of hours and want to make sure I don't overlook anything.

Thanks

[tashasdaddy]

do a water test, not a agreement, that money tends to get spent, and they don't have it to give back.