1970 Starcraft Offshore V 18ft

[Swanstar]

Hey Guys,
I recently picked up a 1970 Starcraft Offshore V rather cheap, with a 85 hp Evinrude V4! At the moment its all in pieces because the previous owner replaced the floor with intentions of putting it back together, but never did. Therefore, I have the boat with just a plywood floor at the moment and a pile of parts! I'm planning on putting it back together and using it for a while, then potentially selling it to find another project. I'm curious if any of you know what the $ value of these boats are completed, as i have not been able to find much on the internet?

Here is what it looks like at the moment:

 

[southkogs]

I'm curious if any of you know what the $ value of these boats are completed ...

Welcome aboard. The short answer is "not much."

Boats don't really hold their value in that way. The local craigslist listings for a comparable size aluminum boat with a similar outboard in the same condition (once you've finished it) will be your best guide. Most restorations won't be be able to recoup the cost of the work (flipping a decent, mostly working boat would be more lucrative).

 

[Swanstar]

Thank you, Glad to be here.

I appreciate the insight and response! Ill head to craigslist and see what i can dig up.

 

[jbcurt00]

Yep, your pricing there could be higher or lower then what it would sell for here. And dont forget, asking price is rarely selling lrice when looking at boat ads.

A few, very few, do exceptional, well thought out rehabs of tin boats and do sell them at a profit. But they may or may not get 'paid' well for the labor, just more then cover their material expenses.

That is NOT the norm, and some are extremely talented, while some arent.

So it may be worth more to you to off load a good project candidate and buy a more water ready boat. You may decide you want to rehab this boat and keep it.

Good luck

 

[ezmobee]

Your Evinrude is a fairly undesirable 1970 model with electric shift. These are typically avoided as there are some crucial NLA parts involved with the electric shifting. OMC got away from that in 1973. When working, the electric shift motors are fine and if you can get this one running by all means run it. I can see it does have a rare tilt 'n trim mechanism on it. Those early units can be worth a good bit of money. It should fit V4 motors up to 1977. In nice working condition it could be worth up to $400 by itself. As mentioned these boats aren't worth a whole lot. Some people just can't get past the year and will only see "1970". If you were planning only to flip this, I'd paint the hull with Rustoleum, put a new exterior plywood deck in it with either paint or cheap carpet on it, put in some new back to back lounger seats from Wal Mart, and slap a $3500 price tag on it at the height of the season on Craigslist with lots a big beautiful pictures and a video of it running on the water. Then take the highest offer. People can sometimes pay silly money for boats early or peak season if they are TURN KEY ready to go.

 

[Watermann]

Welcome aboard :wave:

So if one of these fine old Starcraft boats isn't what you want for yourself then I suggest you not bother with rebuilding it because it takes serious commitment, ambition, money, more money and a touch of love to accomplish the task.

Considering your plans for the boat, chances are you could end up like the guy you bought it from.

 

[Swanstar]

Thanks for the input guys! I actually work at a shop flipping 20-35 foot fiberglass boats for the rivers and lakes up here in Minnesota. I have the shop and materials at hand and i also have a mechanic that knows electric shifts like the back of his hand so I'm good on that front. I actually got the boat for free from a buddy that just told me to do whatever i wanted with it, so no matter what ill make money.

I was able to test the motor and it does run fairly good! (Definite positive).
It has a new plywood on the floor, i just need to seal it, throw some carpet/vinyl on it, then put the pieces back together.

Any suggestions on what to seal the floor with? and also if i should go for carpet or vinyl flooring on top of it?