1964 18' Starcraft Holiday Restoration

[pckeen]

Hello Everyone,

I'm thinking of buying and restoring an eighteen foot 1964 or 1967 Starcraft Holiday. The seller wants $1000 for it. He claims the hull is in good condition and doesn't leak, but all the wood, electrics, windshield are rotten. The windshield is badly damaged - a tree fell on it, but the hull was not visibly damaged. Basically, I would be buying a hull. My plan would be to do a complete restoration, and replace everything inside the hull with new components, and purchase a new 115hp outboard and electronics. The hull was at somepoint re-painted, and it seems to be in good condition, with no obvious major damage.

The serial number on the boat is 64 22128. Am I correct in thinking this means the boat is a 1964?

I've not restored a boat before, and have been looking at some of the posts on this forum.

I'm curious about what a reasonable price for this boat would be in its current condition. I'm going to take another look at the boat in about a week, and am seeking any advice about what to look for when I go back.

Pictures of the boat are below.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: 1964 18' Starcraft Holiday Restoration

thats a lot of work and money. simple things like trailer repair, getting parts, electrical, motor all have to be considered. if you like the design, want a project, it has sentimental fellings then time and money dont matter as much if you plan on going fishing next month and it looks like a good boat for fishing then look around at what else is for sale. check for any oxidized alluminum, missing or loose rivets, cracks between the rivets, repairs to the hull, it depends where you are as to what the price should be. i must admit i do like the shape and with a old 115 rude (60-70 when the cowling had curves) mounted to the rear it would look classy

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1964 18' Starcraft Holiday Restoration

Caved in Windshield, NO motor, total restoration needed.... $1,000 bucks. Are you really that desperate???? $500 Tops!!! MAYBE!!!!

 

[BonairII]

Re: 1964 18' Starcraft Holiday Restoration

At $1000 bucks.....RUN AWAY!

I'd offer $400.

Finding a replacement windshield may be costly in itself.

 

[starcrazy]

Re: 1964 18' Starcraft Holiday Restoration

I can't give you a response on the boat purchase, but I can give you my experience as of yet.

Last year, purchased 18' Mariner. Paid $1000, which included, boat,trailer, and two motors. I sold the 2 motors for $450 so now I have $550 into the boat and trailer. Not bad, I am pretty happy with that.

Here is the things I have learned.

I wanted a cheap hull to rebuild. Found it...
First time restoring a boat, there are lots of questions and there is a learning curve.
Everything adds up, and quick. From floor(wood, top coat paint or carpet), transom, replacing rivets, insulation, 5200, wirring, gauges, replacement motor, paint, tires, seats and the list goes on and on...

TIME - Can't specify this enough... Are you in a rush or willing to get it done at your own pace.

I am not taking anything away from the experience I am getting by doing this don't get me wrong. I say this because sort of doing this with my dad. But had I thought it thru a bit more, I might have just taken the money I have spent alone on the project and purchased something sea ready. This would have allowed me to take him out now rather than later.

This is not even including the time I have spent thus far.

With that being said though, when I am done, I will have hull that has been redone, sealed and will be solid for years to come. New floor, motor, and instruments. It just won't be a hull that was made in this decade, lol

As my friend told me when I asked him the question, " I'm I crazy for attempthing this" His response was and I quote " I DID IT ONCE"

The other thing I have seen on this site is this, the people who restore a boat, usually don't keep them. It's a passion or addiction for them, they will keep it until they find another project and start over again. Make it better so to speak, lol

What ever you decide, all the best.

Wayne

 

[Captmills]

Re: 1964 18' Starcraft Holiday Restoration

It is possible to pay too much in a
"passion move". Sounds high to me...the more you can save up front is in your favor as you will be spending lots of money and time here shortly. They are great boats and worth bringing back to life but I would go for a better deal.

 

[starmate]

Re: 1964 18' Starcraft Holiday Restoration

Can I ask where you find the serial # on hull?
Tomorrow Im going to pickup a 1967 Starcraft Holiday 18, but it has the rounded one piece windshield like the earlier models.

 

[pckeen]

Re: 1964 18' Starcraft Holiday Restoration

Can I ask where you find the serial # on hull?
Tomorrow Im going to pickup a 1967 Starcraft Holiday 18, but it has the rounded one piece windshield like the earlier models.

If it is a 1967, it won't have a hull identification number, because they were not mandated until a later year. My 67 has a serial number on an identification plate that was clearly visible.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 1964 18' Starcraft Holiday Restoration

How'd that boat turn out PC?

Got any pics?

What did you have to do to it?

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1964 18' Starcraft Holiday Restoration

Hmmm, another 18' Holiday, I'm interested in pix too. Seems the original post had a pix, but it's no longer attached......

 

[starmate]

Re: 1964 18' Starcraft Holiday Restoration

If it is a 1967, it won't have a hull identification number, because they were not mandated until a later year. My 67 has a serial number on an identification plate that was clearly visible.

Ok, maybe I am missing something in the wording.
Per above quote. A 67 won't have a hull ID number
But your 67 has a serial number on an ID plate that is clearly visible.
That is exactly the plate that I want to know where it is located.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 1964 18' Starcraft Holiday Restoration

That is exactly the plate that I want to know where it is located.

Inside the boat, usually by the cockpit controls... but sometimes at the stern near the transom on the starboard side. Your tag may have been removed or painted over... or just plain fell off, but look around good on the inside of the boat.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1964 18' Starcraft Holiday Restoration

My 18' Holiday's is right next to the throttle control:

the serial # is of little use, it's not a HIN nor in most states is it long enough to be used as 1.........

It is more likely then not, if your's is: 64 12345.. Yes it's probably a 1964, but not DEFINITELY, some don't conform. The 1967 may have been from the motor, which year is often easy to determine. 1 of my other boats was reg & titled as a 1957, when it clearly is not, but the motor was, so that's what they used..........

 

[pckeen]

Re: 1964 18' Starcraft Holiday Restoration

Ok, maybe I am missing something in the wording.
Per above quote. A 67 won't have a hull ID number
But your 67 has a serial number on an ID plate that is clearly visible.
That is exactly the plate that I want to know where it is located.

The quotes and pictures by other users are identical to mine....