79 Starcraft Jet On The Cheap

cuseloosegoose · Jun 17, 2013

Just picked up my first boat, and first boat project. I'm a novice boater, but I was inspired by all the cool projects that have been posted on this site. Hopefully I'm not in over my head. My goal is to get it to a functional state so my family can enjoy it this summer, then to spruce it up during the fall and winter months.

I guess the first step is to just clean her up a little. Any particular advice on what size motor, or motor specifics that I should consider when looking around for one? I paid $300 for her, so I'd like to continue the theme of going on the cheap if I can. I have a feeling that I will eventually get carried away. The controls that came with it are Evinrude, I'm not sure if that was what originally came on these or not.

BonairII · Jun 17, 2013

Re: 79 Starcraft Jet On The Cheap

You think that trailer is strong enough to hold the Jet?

:lol:

cuseloosegoose · Jun 17, 2013

Re: 79 Starcraft Jet On The Cheap

BonairII said:
You think that trailer is strong enough to hold the Jet?

:lol:

LOL, you can kill an ant with a sledgehammer. Its effective, but its not efficient. Actually, the PO dropped it off for me, and that was how it arrived. I have to pick up a more appropriate trailer for her now. She's hanging out on wood blocks for the next couple of days.

BonairII · Jun 17, 2013

Re: 79 Starcraft Jet On The Cheap

Keep an eye on Craigslist. You'll probably find a crappy boat(with a good trailer) cheaper than if you buy a trailer separately.

jbcurt00 · Jun 17, 2013

Re: 79 Starcraft Jet On The Cheap

Any motor @35hp - 50hp will be plenty, it's likely a 15" +/- transom, so you'll want a short shaft motor so it'll fit similar to this:

You could possibly raise the transom to fit a long shaft motor, but if you can get a short shaft 35-50, you probably should.

A 'dead' fiberglass boat (1 w/ rotten wood core stringers &/or transom) can get you most of the big ticket parts w/ some careful shopping: Windshield, motor, trailer & possibly some portions of the interior...

The Starcraft mob refer to them as 'donor' boats.

You will need to start shopping EVERYWHERE you can for motors, windshield (if you want 1), & a trailer.....

Not to mention all the stuff you need for the interior....

Craigs
Freeboatshopper
BoatTrader
ebay
local classified papers
local newspaper classified ads

Word of mouth to everyone you can think of or may eventually want a ride in your 'better' then new to you Jet when you finish...

Welcome to the iboats dry dock, tin division

Get a cup of your favorite coffee, frosty adult libation or other beverage and dig in, there's LOTS of great info here:
Starcraft Rebuilds and Restorations, they're all here!

good luck & welcome again

pckeen · Jun 17, 2013

Re: 79 Starcraft Jet On The Cheap

The boat looks great! Looking forward to seeing it take shape.

I'm also a novice builder - just replaced a motor on a '68 Starcraft, and I'm also doing my first restore on a tin boat. Just a couple of things I didn't realize as a novice, and came as a surprise: When you replace a motor, that may not be your only expense. You may also need to replace your steering system (wheel and steering cables), and controls (throttle box, tach, etc.). Controls can be an expensive item - so if you can find a motor with both controls and steering...you'll be way ahead. Best of luck!

Woodonglass · Jun 18, 2013

Re: 79 Starcraft Jet On The Cheap

I sure wish I could find a JET in Okie Land for that price and in that condition! It would be on my Trailer in a Heart Beat!!! I keep lookin!! Good Luck on your restoration.

cuseloosegoose · Jun 18, 2013

Re: 79 Starcraft Jet On The Cheap

pckeen said:
The boat looks great! Looking forward to seeing it take shape.

I'm also a novice builder - just replaced a motor on a '68 Starcraft, and I'm also doing my first restore on a tin boat. Just a couple of things I didn't realize as a novice, and came as a surprise: When you replace a motor, that may not be your only expense. You may also need to replace your steering system (wheel and steering cables), and controls (throttle box, tach, etc.). Controls can be an expensive item - so if you can find a motor with both controls and steering...you'll be way ahead. Best of luck!

Thanks for the tip.

cuseloosegoose · Jun 18, 2013

Re: 79 Starcraft Jet On The Cheap

jbcurt00 said:
Any motor @35hp - 50hp will be plenty, it's likely a 15" +/- transom, so you'll want a short shaft motor so it'll fit similar to this:

You could possibly raise the transom to fit a long shaft motor, but if you can get a short shaft 35-50, you probably should.

A 'dead' fiberglass boat (1 w/ rotten wood core stringers &/or transom) can get you most of the big ticket parts w/ some careful shopping: Windshield, motor, trailer & possibly some portions of the interior...

The Starcraft mob refer to them as 'donor' boats.

You will need to start shopping EVERYWHERE you can for motors, windshield (if you want 1), & a trailer.....

Not to mention all the stuff you need for the interior....

Craigs
Freeboatshopper
BoatTrader
ebay
local classified papers
local newspaper classified ads

Word of mouth to everyone you can think of or may eventually want a ride in your 'better' then new to you Jet when you finish...

Welcome to the iboats dry dock, tin division

Get a cup of your favorite coffee, frosty adult libation or other beverage and dig in, there's LOTS of great info here:
Starcraft Rebuilds and Restorations, they're all here!

good luck & welcome again

Thanks for the great info.

cuseloosegoose · Jun 18, 2013

Re: 79 Starcraft Jet On The Cheap

cuseloosegoose said:
Thanks for the great info.

Would 60 or 70hp be overkill for this boat?

Also, I'm not so sure this is a 79 anymore. The more I learn about these boats, it seems like this might be from sometime in the 60's. Not sure if anybody with more experience can confirm or deny that theory.

jbcurt00 · Jun 18, 2013

Re: 79 Starcraft Jet On The Cheap

If it's a Starcraft, it is probably very early 60's if not 50's. It doesn't seem to have the triangular center bow piece visible in the line drawing for the Jet:

But look thru here:

Starcraft brochures

Compare the dimensions of yours to those listed in various years. Some are very hard to read. North Beach is our resident SC expert. He may drop by & help ID it, but he'll likely ask for several more pix & dimensions. Length from transom to bow point @centerline of the boat, transom beam (width), maximum beam (usually across the boat at the helm), transom depth, etc...

Good profile, interior, stern shot pix will help.......

cuseloosegoose · Jun 19, 2013

Re: 79 Starcraft Jet On The Cheap

jbcurt00 said:
If it's a Starcraft, it is probably very early 60's if not 50's. It doesn't seem to have the triangular center bow piece visible in the line drawing for the Jet:

But look thru here:

Starcraft brochures

Compare the dimensions of yours to those listed in various years. Some are very hard to read. North Beach is our resident SC expert. He may drop by & help ID it, but he'll likely ask for several more pix & dimensions. Length from transom to bow point @centerline of the boat, transom beam (width), maximum beam (usually across the boat at the helm), transom depth, etc...

Good profile, interior, stern shot pix will help.......

Thanks. I am sure its a Starcraft because it does have the plate with the Hull number and it states the model as Jet. After looking at the brochures, I am thinking early 60's. I am going to take some measurements tonight, and I'll post some of the other pictures of have of the interior. Transom is rotten of course, the dash is split and falling apart and the bench seats are rotten. The structure of the boat seems good. There is no deck in this one, and from the set up, I am not sure there ever was. I'm not sure if they came with a deck originally. There doesn't look like a lot of room there to put one in, but who knows. I can see how you guys get the bug for these boats, I am already spending to much time thinking about my next step. Gotta get back to work.

cuseloosegoose · Jun 21, 2013

Re: 79 Starcraft Jet On The Cheap

Here are some more interior pics of the boat. I'm considering cleaning it up, doing the seats, dash and transom, getting a motor, small swim platform and windshield on it and running it for the summer. Then in the fall painting it, sealing up the interior rivets and installing a floor. Probably then, I will want new seating. She will be ugly this summer, but my 13 yr old, 10 yr old, 4 yr old and 2 yr old boys won't care.