auction of 79 Starcraft w/ 90 hp Merc

[ckone0814]

As some of you know from my previous posts I'm looking for a starter boat.

Local auction house is selling a 79 Starcraft 16' fiberglass open bow w/ same year 90 Merc. Looked at boat and it is in fair condition overall, considering it's age, maybe good to ver good condition. Vinyl and carpets don't have a lot of wear, they're just dirty. Hull is solid with normal scratches. Motor looks well kept - I could not run it. I know the owner of the auction house and he says he expects it to go for $1500-2000.

Is it worth a bid of maybe $1750?

 

[ckone0814]

Re: auction of 79 Starcraft w/ 90 hp Merc

it's obviously aluminum, not fiberglass...sorry

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: auction of 79 Starcraft w/ 90 hp Merc

for a 30 year old boat, NO. at auction, i expect 1/2 that much or less.

Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame. You walk all over the deck, that a mallot, or hammer with wooden handle, using handle, tap all over the transom, a shape rap is good solid base, a thud, is questionable base.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. (This part for outboard motors Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,)
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.
boat motor combo, A 30 year old may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: auction of 79 Starcraft w/ 90 hp Merc

I agree with TD. I just bought my second boat in the past year, both of them off craigslist. Both of them well below what they were worth. I determined that by calling about a lot of boats, and the ones that sold, I found out what they sold them for.
For less than $2000 more than what you want to bid on the Starcraft I bought a 1993 18' Renken CC with an 85 Yamaha and a three year old galvanized trailer.All were in great condition. I called the ad 2 hrs after it posted and was the third call the guy had gotten, but the first to show up.
Maybe not the same rig you are looking for, but feel craigslist has some of the best buys out there. The Key West I am now using I posted about because the price seemed way too low. Again, the guy just needed to move it and I called within a few hours of his ad.
I would say keep looking, and be informed. That will give you the edge.

 

[jennis9]

Re: auction of 79 Starcraft w/ 90 hp Merc

TD is right - we got our 85 20' Starcraft openbow for 2K and we have a 140 I/O. That was a great deal. This auction sounds too rich for an older boat.

I do have to say that the Starcraft boats are great... I'd buy another in a heartbeat. But that one seems really overpriced for the age. In our craigslist there are a ton of 2-3K boats that have a lot more to offer. You can do better than that.

You're in PA - so your season is going to be the same as mine; 6 months if you're brave and smart. the tinnys are great for towing, easy on maintainance and there are a ton of other users here that can help you with repair/restore.

 

[tmh]

Re: auction of 79 Starcraft w/ 90 hp Merc

Yep as was said.....too much. Somewhere between $0 and $900 or so is more like it. Untested I'd go closer to $0.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: auction of 79 Starcraft w/ 90 hp Merc

Bid on it. An aluminum Starcraft will be a GREAT first boat for you. Even if it turns out all the wood is rotten.....it's not a big deal to replace. It will move well with a 90. I have an 85 on my 16' Starcraft. You'll get it for less than the auctioneer thinks.

 

[ckone0814]

Re: auction of 79 Starcraft w/ 90 hp Merc

I wouldn't be able to make the auction so I'd have to put in an absenteee bid.

I'm going to pass...and keep looking.

Thanks for all of the advice!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: auction of 79 Starcraft w/ 90 hp Merc

I'd put in an absentee bid of at least $950 or so. Of the boats you've looked at, I truely think this one has the least potential to be a disaster and the best potential to be a diamond in the rough.