1979 Starcraft Holiday V5 Restore and Closed to Open bow modification

[showmecb]

I have already received a lot of great advice from many of you long time enthusiast!! I am currently zeroing in on a 1972 16' SS, with a 70 HP Merc. I am pushing hard on this one because other than the seats being replaced with some home made ones, most everything is original and it has been garaged for a good part of it's life. Listing price is $1200 my current offer is $600 hitch and go. Owner is in bad health and supposedly had it out on the lake just last season and it ran fine, winterized it and hasn't used since. Tell me what you think? Does anyone think that the boat might be an 18' instead of a 16'? I just think it looks longer than most of the 16' I have seen... may just be the picture is re sized and elongated?
Here are a few pics...

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

Looks like a 16' rig to me...and a good deal as well

Hopefully he can find it in his heart to let it go for no more than $750.

Good luck to ya!

 

[showmecb]

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

That HA, I think he would know how long it is... I really want the 16' anyways just thought maybe it was a misprint in the listing. I will keep you posted might go get her this weekend.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

Yah, looks like a 16er to me. $600 would be a good deal for that setup!

 

[bunker108]

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

Hey it is the one you want give him a grand for it and take it home. You get the boat you want and the old man has one less thing to take care of. Good luck! Oh I paid 1700 for my 73 18'SS so it sounds like you are getting a good boat at a nice price.

 

[showmecb]

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

Bunker I know what you are saying, I just thought I would try starting low and it paid off... we have a verbal agreement for $700, unless I get up there and it's not the same boat that's in the pictures I will be in his area next week on business so hopefully I will have some photos of the voyage home soon. I am very excited!!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

Sounds good, make sure you take a gander at the bottom of the hull to make sure there are no cracks or major dents.

If you can run the motor on muffs that would be a bonus, but I'd be willing to pay that price anyhow.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

If all the pieces are there that sounds like a very worthwhile project at a decent price. Good luck!

 

[showmecb]

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

Thanks guys, I will see if it will fire, like HA said it's a good deal with an Iffy motor, if it runs great I got a steal. My luck it will have a gash it the bottom of the hull

 

[L2attler]

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

In my opinion, even if the motor needs work it's still a great deal (around jersey at least) things tend to get more expensive here. Hope you pick it up, there's nothing on that boat you cant fix. Especially with all the support here.
If you run in to any problems, ask away dice we have the same exact boat I will be further ahead of you so the chances are whatever you will be doing, I will have already done.

Good luck with it!

 

[showmecb]

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

L2, I believe you are right, pretty hard to go wrong on this deal. Yes, I know you will be way ahead of me cause I am crazy busy this fall and if this thing runs I will fish it and start tear down in my garage late Fall/winter. Supposed to pick it up this coming Tuesday evening... unless something goes way wrong... hope not!!

 

[showmecb]

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

Well I am a Starcraft virgin no more!!! Finally found a steal!! I was originally looking for an open bow SS but this 18' holiday caught my attention and the deal was too good to resist. This seems to be a fairly rare 1979 V5 hull outboard. The hull was repainted about 10 years and the trailer was recently updated with new wheels, tires, dolly and winch strap and side bunk boards. The trailer is a roller/bunk combo and the bottom bunks need recarpeted but over all trailer is in great shape. There is no motor but I plan locating a 90hp evinrude which I think is ideal for this boat. 25 gallon built in tank, original seats, and for an added bonus, kicker mount plate is like new. Purchase price... $600 big ones. I think I got a great steal. Best part is I can touch up outside and focus completly on topside and interior. Transom is solid, floor ready for an upgrade so I will tear it out, seal from the inside and then replace deck so everything is super solid. I have so many ideas I don't know where to begin. Considering an open bow modification. Thinking about reducing the oversided splashwell to make room for a casting deck with live well. Only bad news is cold weather is coming and my garage isn't heated. Oh well. Here are a couple pics and I have a ton more coming. Be ready for tons of question!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

600 bux? Yah baby!!!

She looks awesome

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

Great deal, looks pretty nice. When a deal smacks ya in the face, hitch her up and drag her home. Nice find, nice boat, showme the Starcraft! We like questions and pictures.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

L2, I believe you are right, pretty hard to go wrong on this deal. Yes, I know you will be way ahead of me cause I am crazy busy this fall and if this thing runs I will fish it and start tear down in my garage late Fall/winter. Supposed to pick it up this coming Tuesday evening... unless something goes way wrong... hope not!!

Great looking Holiday..Paint looks fantastic.
But...
What happened to the deal you had with the SS?

 

[halfmoa]

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

NICE snag! And no rickety plywood carpeted box/seat contraptions either!

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

Comparing pics of the two, the Holiday is the better deal. Welcome to the club, probie. More pics?

 

[showmecb]

Great looking Holiday..Paint looks fantastic.
But...
What happened to the deal you had with the SS?

Got promoted out of nowhere at work 2 days before I was set to go up and pick it up!!! By the time the dust settled the guy wouldn't answer my calls anymore. Oh well I think it worked out for the best.

Comparing pics of the two, the Holiday is the better deal. Welcome to the club, probie. More pics?

Thanks GA I appreciate it. Pics on the way right now. My first obstacle is going to be the fuel tank. Great feature but how in the world do I remove it? Do I not bother? Hard to say.

Yeah those seats were hideous... There is not one mark on these original seat. Some of the plywood might need replaced. I lean towards the retro look so I may have to leave them. I am wondering if the upholstrey paint works? I know someone on here was going to give it a try.

 

[showmecb]

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

Ok, well I got the seats out and the floor section above the tank. You can see the tank in this picture, very big. The floor was half inch plywood that doesn't look like it was sealed. I am definately going with 3/4inch. None of the floor is rotted but I was fooled by the springy 1/2. The carpet it old and poorly done so it's all coming out. I am half afraid there might be spray foam under there. I hope not! Anyone have thoughts on taking out the fuel tank? If I dont' I will have to trust the area underneath is still solid, I can easlily get to and fix rivets and seal everywhere else. Maybe the tank is not as big of a deal as I think it might be? Many more pics coming as well.View attachment 117295

 

[showmecb]

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

Re: My quest to find a cheap 1970's Starcraft SS!

Here are more pics for your viewing pleasure. Got to love the Holiday V5 logo on the dash! You can see the free bimini cover that is still in good shape. Also pictured is the original love seat still in working order. Next up for me is the rest of the floor, praying there is foam board down there!