18' Sportster

[Backwaters]

I am looking to purchase a 16' supersport, perferably in the state of Michigan. Any thoughts, leads, or price ranges.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: 1979 Star Craft Supersport

Re: 1979 Star Craft Supersport

Looking for a 16' Supersport in the Detroit area?

is that a question? are you looking for one or you wanting to know if anyone else is looking?

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Star Craft Supersport

Re: Star Craft Supersport

I am looking to purchase a 16' supersport, perferably in the state of Michigan. Any thoughts, leads, or price ranges.

I bought my 16' SS last November from a guy in Howell for $1000. He had it listed for $1100 and I bargained him down just a bit.

It came with an 80hp Merc that runs(kinda), a trailer in decent shape, and a CMC trim/tilt bracket.

I'd been looking for a boat for around two years so it helps to be patient if you want a good deal.

Check out craiglook.com for an easy way to track down starcrafts.

Also in the starcraft forum here on iboats we have a thread where we post good deals in case folks are looking.

Here's the Starcraft brochures thread...I threw it together when I was looking for my rig and it helps identify models/years for boats the seller knows nothing about.

The good news is you are looking for a starcraft in the right place. Michigan has more registered boats than any other state...and many are old tin starcrafts

Good luck!

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Star Craft Supersport

Re: Star Craft Supersport

Welcome Aboard!
Have you taken a good long look at the HOLIDAY model??

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: Star Craft Supersport

Re: Star Craft Supersport

go for a 18 the extra room is alot.

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: Star Craft Supersport

Re: Star Craft Supersport

Originally I wanted a 16'. I ended up with an 18' and I'm happier I did it.

I don't know your situation so it's a bit premature to up sell you. I see you're in TC and to me that's more of a big waters area. I got mine for lake St. Clair and 16 would have done but what the hay. Two footitus is now a few years off for me.

And yes Kev, we know the Holiday also comes in 18'. Backwaters have you considered the manly style of the open bow "OFFSHORE", in 18 ' size. You won't regret it. It's the Pirate version of the SS.

 

[Backwaters]

Re: Star Craft Supersport

Re: Star Craft Supersport

Thank you for your input and great ideas. I have one daughter and one wife, so I like the idea of the walk thru bow, so I ruled out the Holiday model. I think the 16' will work fine due to space in the garage and driveway and medium sized lakes in the TC area. When the daughter gets older, I'll trade up.

I'm seeing a few boats (16' SS) in the $2800 dollor range in Northern Mi. I would expect they should be in good water ready shape for that price. Just like others, I'm weighing a low cost cheap boat ($1000) vs ($2500) water ready boat. I'm going to kick the tires on a few this weekend. I'm comparing a 1979 SS 160 and a 1987 SS 160. The 1979 is a fixer upper, while the 1987 seems in very good shape.

Last thought, thru out the Starcraft SS line, is there any particular year that is better then the next for any reason. Any year more desireable than others. It seems in all manufacturing processes cars, boats, campers, certain years stand out then others. Please let me know if this is true in the Starcraft boat line ups.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Star Craft Supersport

Re: Star Craft Supersport

Last thought, thru out the Starcraft SS line, is there any particular year that is better then the next for any reason. Any year more desireable than others. It seems in all manufacturing processes cars, boats, campers, certain years stand out then others. Please let me know if this is true in the Starcraft boat line ups.

I may be biased but I'm pretty sure that 1979 is the best year for aluminum Starcrafts

Honestly, the paint style for that year is nice, there will be no poured-in foam to deal with(huge pain in the a&%) and the aluminum is a heavy gauge.

There really aren't any bad years to worry about other than the poured-in foam debacles.

My SS was water-ready for $1000, for $2500 the motor had better run great and have a very solid transom and deck.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Star Craft Supersport

Re: Star Craft Supersport

Thank you for your input and great ideas. I have one daughter and one wife, so I like the idea of the walk thru bow, so I ruled out the Holiday model. I think the 16' will work fine due to space in the garage and driveway and medium sized lakes in the TC area. When the daughter gets older, I'll trade up.

I'm seeing a few boats (16' SS) in the $2800 dollor range in Northern Mi. I would expect they should be in good water ready shape for that price. Just like others, I'm weighing a low cost cheap boat ($1000) vs ($2500) water ready boat. I'm going to kick the tires on a few this weekend. I'm comparing a 1979 SS 160 and a 1987 SS 160. The 1979 is a fixer upper, while the 1987 seems in very good shape.

Last thought, thru out the Starcraft SS line, is there any particular year that is better then the next for any reason. Any year more desireable than others. It seems in all manufacturing processes cars, boats, campers, certain years stand out then others. Please let me know if this is true in the Starcraft boat line ups.

If you have at least a little bit of mechanical ability, go for the fixer upper route. these aluminum boats are easy to work with. if you check out the link in my signature, you will see that i turned mine from rags to riches (well maybe middle class lol) in just 6 weeks... for a total investment under $1500 including purchase price.

 

[Daltonxj]

Re: Star Craft Supersport

Re: Star Craft Supersport

yep no pur in foam on my '79 just alot of layers floor came out fairly clean. but my '79 needs alot of work. very simple design.mines a Holiday.

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: Star Craft Supersport

Re: Star Craft Supersport

Gotcha on the 16' fitting in the garage.I'm looking at making my garage 5' longer to hold my boat. It takes up a good chunk of the driveway. One of these days Mrs. Bwana Don is going to start in on me. You say you have "one daughter and one wife". My suggestion is to stop at one wife.

I'll keep my eyes open down in SE Michigan. If I see one I'll holler.

 

[Backwaters]

Re: Starcraft Supersport

Re: Starcraft Supersport

I had a couple leads on two boats over the weekend. The first one was a Yellow 16' 1979 SS at a local auction. I looked at it several times during the week and just could not make up my mind. I talked to the auctioneer before the auction and he thought it should go for between $500 and $1500. He was right, the winning bidder got it for $1200. I could of bid $1300, but I passed. It needed a lot of work but had a nice engine and I was thinking the 16' was a little small.

The second boat was an 1977 18' Sylvan for sale by owner. He is asking $2000 but it is not in great shape either. Repairs needed are: Carpet, Floor in rear, Bunk rollers, Wheel bearing, Vinyal work and some paint on chipped hull area. The good thing is I was able to take it for a test run on the lake and it ran great. Did about 30 mph with an Evinrude 70 hp. I told the owner I'd think about the price, he did go down to $1850. I'm thinking more like $1600 with the work needed. Any thoughts on price.

What I did find out today and thanks for mentioning it in the above posts, is that the 18' boat fits my needs a lot better then a 16'. The distance behind the driver to the rear of the boat is very nice. I will only be looking for 18' ers from here on out. I'll have to jam it in the garage to make it fit. I'm not seeing any clean rigs around yet, most seem heavily abused. Should I wait or make another offer on the Sylvan? I have attached 3 pics, the yellow is the 1979, White with blue is the 1977, and the other white boat is one I saw at a local dealer for weekend rental. It has a very nice new Johnson on the back...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Starcraft Supersport

Re: Starcraft Supersport

The 70 on the Sylvan will get the job done but you'll want much better power for that boat.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Star Craft Supersport

Re: Star Craft Supersport

Those are all pretty nice looking rigs there! Anything sub $1500 looking like those with a good running motor is a great deal! Shoot that would be the going rate for a 14 footer. Just know you may be in for a complete interior overhaul though. Maybe more.

Have fun!!!

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: Star Craft Supersport

Re: Star Craft Supersport

Looks like you've got a couple of hurdles cleared. Starcraft, 18 footer, open bow, now another one. Inboard/outboard or outboard?

My two toughest decision for me were between the 16' or 18'. Next was I/O or outboard. I think the latter is tougher. I didn't know which I'd choose until I bought an I/O.

Of course every time I see a hardtop I want it. Every time my I/O gives me grief, well you know. Really the only way to solve this is multiple boats. I'm all ready planning my next. I told my wife too. She didn't say no, so I'm taking that as a yes.

Good luck.

 

[Backwaters]

Re: Star Craft Supersport

Re: Star Craft Supersport

Sounds like everyone goes through the same thought process on picking a boat. I spent the last two days condsidering a 18' 1974 Starcraft SS with a 120 I/O. Interior/Exterior was imaculate but the price went from 2600 to 3800 after the owner discoverd bad seals, hoses, and bell housing in the IO. I searched the forums and internet trying to learn about the pros/cons of Outboard vs IO. I came to the conclusion that for an 18' Aluminum I did not need the IO. Basically due to space, possible water intake if seals go bad (not sure but could the boat sink?) and service/maintance. Having said that I decided on the 18' Sylvan with the 70hp outboard. Will pick it up tomorrow. To bad its not a Starcraft, the Sylvan forum is no comparsion to this one!

Plans to restore include:
*Bow cushions
*Carpet
*Some or all wood floor
*Paint as needed
*Paint trailer

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: Star Craft Supersport

Re: Star Craft Supersport

Congratulations. Stop in and ask a few questions from time to time. Iboats has a great outboard forum also. Lots of traffic there, you won't be disappointed.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Star Craft Supersport

Re: Star Craft Supersport

We'll allow a Sylvan. Same thing as a Starcraft SS. Stick around! I think you made a good choice.

 

[Backwaters]

Re: Star Craft Supersport

Re: Star Craft Supersport

I picked up the boat on Wed and have been working in the evening dismantling the floor. All of the past readings from this forum have paid off, because everything is going fairly easy. Its Friday night and I'm cleaning the inside hull of the boat. I will seal the seams with Gluvit as soon as it is clean and dry. The floor was cut today, and I was fortunate that the old floor was all in one piece and made a great template. I used plywood from Lowes, 1/2" BC exterior grade. This wood looked pretty good off the shelf so I decied it should be ok once treated with a sealer. Home Depot had terrible plywood and did not compare to the bundle at Lowes. Some of the foam can be reused, the other small pieces will get pitched. I will replace with the pink styrofoam cut to lenght. Next, carpet and seats should be ordered to please the wife. She wants white but I think that will be to hard to keep clean. We'll see.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 18' Supersport

Re: 18' Supersport

Wow the bow structure on that Sylvan sure looks like my Starcraft.

That hull does have more chines than mine does. Good for stability while anchored and while planing out.

Nice looking boat and the view is even better behind it(sure looks like the big peninsula between the bays), congratulations and good luck

Did you do a water test on it?