1985 Starcraft SS-150

[85ss150]

Hello All,

I'm the new owner of an all-original 1984 Starcraft SS-150. I was originally told that it is was an 85 (thus my user name) but the trailer is an 84 and so is the motor. I haven't seen any SS-150's on this forum and Google only gives me a couple results. If anyone can share links to others I'd be interested.

The boat is in great shape for her age. Everything is original. Nearly all of the plywood seems solid aside from the upper transom below the corner caps (these are separate pieces from the main transom) and the tops of the compartments on either side of the splash well. The motor runs like new, although I haven't opened it right up yet. I was told that she was kept in a barn and never stayed in the water overnight.

So far I've just given her a good cleaning and replaced the pitot tube. Here are some pictures. I'll get some more when the weather clears up.

 

[classiccat]

Re: 1984 Starcraft SS-150

Re: 1984 Starcraft SS-150

I'd like to formally welcome you to the Starmada!

Thank you for the pictures! That appears to be a well maintained rig! Awesome 3cyl Johnny. I really dig the low profile bow-rail as well.

I'd definitely put replacing the transom on my short-list...check out the resto section of the forum if you haven't already.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1984 Starcraft SS-150

Re: 1984 Starcraft SS-150

Welcome to iboats, tin division.

Not sure what info you'd like to find on an '84/5 SS150, but there are brochure pages for many of the SC's:
Starcraft brochures

And there's an SS150 listed in 1983:

Great looking rig. Nice score.

 

[85ss150]

Re: 1984 Starcraft SS-150

Re: 1984 Starcraft SS-150

Thanks for the welcome / info! The transom is definitely on the short list... I plan on replacing the wood this winter along with possibly putting in a casting deck.

It seems that the colour scheme of the boat matches 85. Was it common for Starcraft / dealers to put previous year motors on their boats?

Has anyone seen this done before? I'm thinking that maybe the trim did not go down enough for the previous owners liking:

 

[classiccat]

Re: 1984 Starcraft SS-150

Re: 1984 Starcraft SS-150

With a 15' boat might be tough getting that bow down.

Optimized weight distribution might help eliminate the "shim".

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1984 Starcraft SS-150

Re: 1984 Starcraft SS-150

Unless you have paperwork linking the motor to the original sale of the boat, it may or not have been purchased w/ the boat in 1985.

Buyer may have had the motor

Dealer may have had an '84 unsold motor that he made the buyer a 'deal' to take.

No telling what other ways an '85 hull got an '84 motor.

Nope never seen a sloped upper mount shim like that. Looks purpose built. Normally a shim like that wouldn't be tapered & was to counteract a soft transom.

Since the boat was rated for an 80hp & had a dry weight of 600lbs, I can't think of a 'need' that'd require that much extra trim in.....

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1984 Starcraft SS-150

Re: 1984 Starcraft SS-150

Not at all uncommon for the boat and motor to be +/- a year.

Google "transom wedge". Looks like you've got a homemade version of one of those. Nice rig. Welcome to iboats! That boat should haul with with a 70 on it.

 

[barato2]

Re: 1984 Starcraft SS-150

Re: 1984 Starcraft SS-150

i like it! are we sure that plate is in fact tapered and not just compressed?

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 1984 Starcraft SS-150

Re: 1984 Starcraft SS-150

Check the bottom for a hook or rocker - might explain the shim. I had a 16-foot SS with a 75hp Johnson on it and it performed nicely.

 

[85ss150]

Re: 1984 Starcraft SS-150

Re: 1984 Starcraft SS-150

Thanks for all the replies. I looked over the bottom for a hook or rocker and found it to be nice and straight. I also got a chance to take her out and open her up. I had another adult and a kid in the back with me. At WOT it would porpoise unless the trim was maxed out. It was too cold to ask my sister to move up to the bow. I'll have to try some better weight distribution next time I'm out.

I don't know how accurate the pitot tube speedo is, but I was able to go as fast as 33mph. Trimming out just a bit I could get to 35 before starting to porpoise a bit. Again, I was running pretty aft heavy. I'll bring my GPS and a trolling motor battery for the front next time and post the results.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1984 Starcraft SS-150

Re: 1984 Starcraft SS-150

Hey 85, welcome to iboats and the band of Starcrafters:welcome:

That is a sweet looking boat and man does she look to be in excellent shape, well done!:joyous:

It's real common that our old alum boats are heavy in the butt end. Moving some weight forward is always a good thing if you can swing it.

That thing on your transom may be a band aid for a soft transom or may be a wedge. Either way, I'd take a close look at the condition of the wood back there to be sure it's solid till you get after it.