'72 Starcraft Supersport 16 br max HP question

[58feathercrafter]

Here is a mystery: Just got this sweet girl. Definitely 16' long. The tag says max hp is 125. I was told by Starcraft and in my research that these are a max hp of 85. In fact, the starcraft guy confirmed that, based on the hull# it was definitely built between 1968 and 1972 but he says they did not make one with a 125hp. Any ideas? Oh yeah, I paid $750.00 for her and am very happy with the purchase.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: '72 Starcraft Supersport 16 br max HP question

That's the tag off an 18-footer, which was originally rated for 125 (later 140) and a 8 person/1900 lb. payload. The 16-footer was rated for 85 with a 7 person/1500 lb. payload. Judging by the goop behind the tag and the crimpling along the edges, it looks like the tag was pryed from another boat. Could have been someone trying to register an untitled boat, stolen boat, etc. and had a valid tag from a wrecked boat. Swap tags, scrap the junker and voila, problem boat is now "legal".
Yours has obviously been repainted and interior redone - looks good!
- Scott

 

[58feathercrafter]

Re: '72 Starcraft Supersport 16 br max HP question

That makes the most sense to me too. Thanks

 

[stubbstheman88]

Re: '72 Starcraft Supersport 16 br max HP question

well i would disagree that that tag has been pried from a diffrent boat because i have the same boat and it has the same tag.. by the way your boat looks great and is 100% the same except for the paint, we have a 650 instead of a 600, and instred of horns in the fron we have a giant spot light.

 

[Supersport18]

Re: '72 Starcraft Supersport 16 br max HP question

I've done a little Investigating in this matter. I have an 18' supersport w/55 hp Johnson. The tag on your boat is for hp measured at the prop. at some point in the 1980's the hp began to be measured at the shaft. As a rule of thumb, a 130 hp pre 1980's (wish I had the exact year) motor would be roughly equal to 115 hp motor made after that date. IMO I would look for a 55 to 85 hp . I've been on a 18 ft Starcraft with a 130hp evinrude and it was a blast until it started chine walking. 85 hp should give you 30+ mph.

 

[Supersport18]

Re: '72 Starcraft Supersport 16 br max HP question

By the way,Nice boat for the money. I love my 18' SS.

 

[stubbstheman88]

Re: '72 Starcraft Supersport 16 br max HP question

yes i think you are right.. the year they changed the HP reting system to at the motor rather than the prop was 1971. i know that i have a 1968 65 and its equal in power to a modern 90. so it had the HP after they changed it to at the motor and if you put a pre71' 125 on there you would be cookin'

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: '72 Starcraft Supersport 16 br max HP question

Huh? The change in rating occurred in 1985. Modern motors are rated at the propeller, starting with 1985 model year. Prior to that they were rated at the powerhead. There is some wiggle room in the rating system, too, to compensate for motor-to-motor variations. End result is that a 1968 65hp would be equivalent to a modern 55 or so, NOT a 90...

If your tags are original, then Starcraft changed the rating somewhere between 1971 and 1974, as a 125 on the 16-foot SS would be a handful, and likely cost Starcraft some money in rivet repairs. The 1974 model is rated for 85, while the 18-footer is rated for 140...

- Scott

 

[Supersport18]

Re: '72 Starcraft Supersport 16 br max HP question

Chinewalker,
Thanks for the correction. Guess I had it Bass-Ackwards on where the hp is measured.

 

[sneekdog6]

Re: '72 Starcraft Supersport 16 br max HP question

I have the same exact boat (16' SS)...early 70's vintage and max rated hp is 85.

 

[ddrieck]

Re: '72 Starcraft Supersport 16 br max HP question

IMHO, it looks to me that someone has changed the tag! May have taken one off a 18footer and put it on your 16 footer in order to get insurace coverage for the larger outboard.

MY 1978 Starcraft Super Sport is rated for 80 max. I had a Mercury 150hp on it at one time and it was crazy fast and uncontrolable the faster you would go. I got safety checked by fish and game one afternoon, and was politly told to load it on the trailer and to not operate it above the 80 hp as stated on the plate.

 

[mrwiggles2]

Re: '72 Starcraft Supersport 16 br max HP question

My '76 16 foot SS is rated at 85hp. My 70hp Chrysler pushes it to 30 mph I'd say. I really don't push it hard... she is an old girl.

Nice boat, as everyone has said, go with no more than 85hp. If you found a new 60-70hp you'd be very happy.

 

[tlynch99]

Re: '72 Starcraft Supersport 16 br max HP question

I cant speak to the validity of the tag on your boat, but I have a 1978 16SS with a 1978 70hp Evinrude, and it's a great combo. I have thought about going to the 85, just because I might like to have the extra power, that being said I know the 85 weighs more and who knows what the extra 15 will actually give me. Also 3 cylinder vs 4, and people really really seem to like the 70hp 3 cylinder configuration stating the motor is very reliable. Which I can attest to.

 

[EMSMedic79]

Re: '72 Starcraft Supersport 16 br max HP question

Nice boat!

 

[BIGcarpy50]

Re: '72 Starcraft Supersport 16 br max HP question

just to beat a dead horse...i have a 1971 supersport and i have heard that a 50 will push it nice as long as you don't expect to ski behind it...those boats are so light you could prob get on plane with a 35.

 

[STARCRAFT16SS]

Re: '72 Starcraft Supersport 16 br max HP question

I have a 1971 Starcraft 16ft Supersport....tag shows max hp as 85hp
I have a 1971 60hp Johnson Looper on her...does 30mph according to gps

 

[basbalj288]

Re: '72 Starcraft Supersport 16 br max HP question

Agreed! Have the same boat with a tag that I know is original because it has had one owner and it says 85hp for the 16' Supersport. I have a 1976 Johnson 85hp and last weekend I got it up to 41 MPH!!! Amazing performance and PLENTY of power. That really is a great motor, a true workhorse