1962 Starcraft Stardust - Should I go for it???

[OldStardust]

I've never owned a boat, but have been on lots of them. I'm a good mechanic too. I'm thinking about buying a 1962 Starcraft Stardust. It's in fair condition and looks sound. As most of you know, it's 16' and has an aluminum hull. The windsheild is there. All the lights are there. The rear bench is there. It has new front seats (not very original or pretty). It has a marine radio, a hummingbird and it comes with a trailer that's all rusted but it's solid. It has a gas tank. It also comes with a 33 Hp Evinrude from 1965. The engine turns and so does the lower half. I was told that it ran. I don't think it's been used since 2008. It looks like everything's there. The guy has a big box of 1969 Evinrude parts he said I could have and a 1969 manual as well. The boats been sitting in a garage. I was able to get the guy down to $600.00 for everything. Should I go for it?

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: 1962 Starcraft Stardust - Should I go for it???

Welcome aboard! We don't see too many Stardust's around. $600 sounds like a nice price though you would find that 33hp pretty underpowered for the hull. But at that price, buy it, sell the engine, and repower with whatever you like

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1962 Starcraft Stardust - Should I go for it???

If a closed bow runabout is what you're after, tough to go wrong with an aluminum Starcraft.

 

[BonairII]

Re: 1962 Starcraft Stardust - Should I go for it???

Offer $400 and see if the seller bites.

Not familiar with the Stardust....got any pics?


See as though your username is OldStardust.....I think you're gonna have to buy the boat. :lol:

 

[OldStardust]

Re: 1962 Starcraft Stardust - Should I go for it???

Offer $400 and see if the seller bites.

Not familiar with the Stardust....got any pics?


See as though your username is OldStardust.....I think you're gonna have to buy the boat. :lol:

Here is a picture of the Stardust along side of a Starmist. The Stardust is in front.

 

[OldStardust]

Re: 1962 Starcraft Stardust - Should I go for it???

Welcome aboard! We don't see too many Stardust's around. $600 sounds like a nice price though you would find that 33hp pretty underpowered for the hull. But at that price, buy it, sell the engine, and repower with whatever you like

It's rated for up to a 75 hp. The weight of the boat is only about 500 lbs, so I thought the 33 might do it. I have two little girls; 8 and 11, I'd sure like to be able to have them learn waterskiing on this thing. They're both like 60, 70 lbs. I wonder how fast it would go with just the 33 hp.

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: 1962 Starcraft Stardust - Should I go for it???

I had a 33hp on my 15' Jet, went about 18mph or so

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1962 Starcraft Stardust - Should I go for it???

You'll want a 50 on it.

 

[BonairII]

Re: 1962 Starcraft Stardust - Should I go for it???

You'll want a 50 on it.

Yup^^^^^^^^

You're going to want to have a motor that's within 20% of the boats max rating, to get good performance IMO. The 33hp will def push the boat, but I'm gonna guess that you'll get tired of putting around at 15-20 mph.

 

[OldStardust]

Re: 1962 Starcraft Stardust - Should I go for it???

Thank you very much all for your input!

 

[OldStardust]

Re: 1962 Starcraft Stardust - Should I go for it???

Well boys, I got permission from the Skipper (my lovely and talented wife), so I'm going to pick up the little beaut tonight! I can hardly wait for the harrowing ride home pulling the questionable trailer. Ahhhh... The stories I'll have. My girls are so excited! One of them asked if we could put a name on her. You should have seen her eyes light up when I told her: "sure we can!"

Thanks guys for pushing me over the top, convincing me to make things happen. I ended up working out an incredibly sweet deal with the old owner. Once I get her home, I'll get some nice pictures of her and post them. I can hardly wait to get started!

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1962 Starcraft Stardust - Should I go for it???

Pending pics as proof - Welcome to the Mob. A serious question for you - When MBS kicks in will you change your user name to OldSS or OldHoliday? LOL Have fun.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1962 Starcraft Stardust - Should I go for it???

Congrats, and best of luck w/ the trailer ride home after pickup....

 

[OldStardust]

Re: 1962 Starcraft Stardust - Should I go for it???

Well. That was fun. The trailer was sound, and the boat towed very well. It seems to be just the right size for the mini van. The only hitch was, the stupid lights didn't work. I had to drive a ways to get the boat, and I didn't feel like making another trip. I went ahead and took it home with me. What an awesome boat!

I ended getting everything I needed for it, an anchor, fish finder, seats, windshield, motor, manual, spare parts... Anyway, everything seems to be there. I wish I had the original seats. The motor on it is an 1965 Evinrude Ski Twin, nice looking. I'm going to do a quick overhaul on her, greasing, replacing fluids. Hopefully, I won't find anything too seriously wrong with her.

The boat and appurtenances seem to be in reasonable shape. All in all, I think I did okay. I ended up trading an old Neptune Mighty Mite (it should run...), and handing over $450.00 cash. When you've got two kids and a mortgage that's not a small amount of bread. I guess I could have purchased about 450 loaves with that. Okay! Sorry!

Okay. I'll quit the yapping... Ah. One more thing. It fits in the garage! My wife, the first question she asks me when I show up with it all dreamy-eyed and excited was: "where are we going to put it?" Thank God it fit in there. We have a nice yard and she doesn't want to spoil it with some old boat. Well! I'll show her!

Okay. No more yapping! Here's the pictures. Please let me know if they don't work.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1962 Starcraft Stardust - Should I go for it???

Awesome! Well done!

Official welcome then :tinfoil3:

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: 1962 Starcraft Stardust - Should I go for it???

that's a sweet looking boat ya got there!!

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1962 Starcraft Stardust - Should I go for it???

Got the pics. Have to wait until the snow melts to see what she looks like. LOL Seems like a good find. Glad the tow home was uneventful except for the lights.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1962 Starcraft Stardust - Should I go for it???

Side note: Merc remote w/ an Evinrude....

But if it works, run it

 

[AJGeorge]

Re: 1962 Starcraft Stardust - Should I go for it???

So now the fun starts and it sounds like your ready for the job. With all that white stuff on it its good you have the garage. Being from Az. those pics make me shiver. The Merc controls on the Evinrude look interesting. Have fun and welcome.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1962 Starcraft Stardust - Should I go for it???

Side note: Merc remote w/ an Evinrude....

But if it works, run it

I noticed that too, JB. But I figured it must work, hopefully.