Considering a 16' starcraft SS bow rider

[Bill Foote]

Hey guys I currently own a 15' starLINE bow rider, its a very small boat for 15' with low sheer and a pretty wet ride in Tampa bay/intercoastal waters... Anyway I have been searching for a bow rider with higher sides and something that feels a little more "roomy". I believe a starcraft 16' super sport fits the bill with its somewhat broad bow and seemingly higher sheer.

So, I am wondering if any owners could tell me about there boats:

1. what do you like/dislike
2. what does the boat weigh, what do you tow it with?
3. How is the ride in rougher conditions (1'-3' bay waters), does the boat feel stiff or sort of weak when the waves pick up?
4. Any problems with aluminum corrosion in structural areas?

I am considering one of these boats w/a 60hp johnson, new floor and transom, and decent trailer $1400.

Anything I should look for in particular or are these older aluminum boats as straight forward as they come?

Thanks in advance

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Considering a 16' starcraft SS bow rider

I had an older 16' Jupiter which is the closed bow version of the same boat. It does have a good amount of freeboard and a fairly dry ride. It DOES beat you up pretty good in the chop, but the boat always felt solid. A 60 should be a good motor for that boat. The overall package (and I had a big V4 85 on mine) was very light and I actually towed it just fine for a couple seasons with a FWD Buick Regal. I eventually upgraded to a truck but that had to do more with launching and retrieving than the weight of the boat. So overall, great boat but will beat you up in the chop.

I will add, I upgraded to an 18' SS. The 18' is bigger in EVERY way than the 16'. Deeper, wider, longer. Much more substanital. Has a little bit more deadrise also. I've only had it out once though and it was on glassy water so only time will tell if it's better in the chop.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Considering a 16' starcraft SS bow rider

my personal opinion is open bows are NEVER good for off shore...

i wouldnt do it in a 16 footer if its going to be rough at all.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Considering a 16' starcraft SS bow rider

1-3' waves will be no problem other than a little bouncing around. I would recommend an 18' if you are going to be in any waves bigger than 3' routinely.

An 18' aluminum boat can handle 5-7' waves if needed. Not fun but not dangerous if you know how to handle a boat(sounds like you have experience).

The boats ride great and if you trim properly you can ease the pounding by keeping the bow down so it cuts thru the waves. Great boats and well worth a little work.

The freeboard(high sides) makes these very seaworthy and dry, and the chines/gunwales help keep spray and splashes out of the rig.

As far as worrying about an open bow rig...not a problem or concern at all...just get a snap-on canvas bow cover and it easily converts when weather comes in.

Good luck

 

[Bill Foote]

Re: Considering a 16' starcraft SS bow rider

Thanks for the feedback guys, things are looking really good for my 16 SS prospect. I am tentatively making plans to have a look/test/purchase the boat this Sat. I am hoping some of you may lend me some more details about the boats handling and repair/maintenance.

Handling:
1. I don't mind a little bouncing but how well can this boat keep a plane at lower speeds (I realize this has much to do with propeller selection/engine size/trim). But I prefer a boat which doesn't need constant throttle attention to keep it on plane at lower speeds in rough waters...(my starline is terrible about this, with its deep V its all or none)
2. With engine trim full down and a standard 3 blade prop would you expect the bow to plant itself pretty well a cruising speeds or do you thing much could be gained from a whale tail/planning fins...?

Also, could any of you tell me how the floor is fastened to the stringers, just screws or is there also some kind of glue that should be used as well? The current owner of the 16 SS i'm interested in says he replaced the floor/transom last summer. What do most people finish the floor with on a aluminum boat, is paint good enough?

Thanks again

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Considering a 16' starcraft SS bow rider

Welcome Aboard Bill..
Always nice to see a west coast Florida guy on here..

1. She'll plane and stay on plane easily and with much less throttle than you are used to. Her dry weight would be what? 800lbs or so?

2. I think you wouldnt need her fully trimmed in to keep her bow planted. The whale tails are never a good thing in my opinion, I would never have one.

3. The right way to fasten a deck is with deck screws through resin and mat sealed plywood. I just painted my deck and it is flaking off here and there after 6 months or so..

There is a really nice 18 ftr on CL in Pt. Charlotte too!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Considering a 16' starcraft SS bow rider

Just make sure the new deck and transom aren't pressure treated!!!!!

 

[Bill Foote]

Re: Considering a 16' starcraft SS bow rider

Just make sure the new deck and transom aren't pressure treated!!!!!

I assume you are referring to home depot type exterior plywood, as apposed to "doing it right" with marine grade plywood? When the current owner of the boat i'm interested in told me he had replaced deck/transom last summer he explain that it was done using marine grade ply.

How can you tell the difference once its installed, is marine ply available in pine or is it only made from higher/harder quality woods. (in other words if it looks like pine is that a dead giveaway that its hardware store quality)


Although I can't say that I have had poor results from hardware store quality plywood in any of my previous boat related projects (including an 8' dingy I made which is now 4 years old). That being said I think distinguishing the difference upon my inspection of this boat will allow me some bargaining power.


Sorry the picture is a little unrelated to starcraft but thanks again for the input!

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Considering a 16' starcraft SS bow rider

Hey Bill..

Exterior grade home depot plywood is fine..As long as it's sealed against moisture. Really 3 ways to do this, from least lasting to a 30 year deack.

1. paint it
2. spar varnish
3. Fiberglass matt and resin


and the reason EZ mentioned the Pressure Treated wood, is that it is infused with copper alloys that will in fact not play nicely with the chemical composition in aluminum. Yes, that means holes, eventually. Speed up the process and add saltwater!

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Considering a 16' starcraft SS bow rider

Oh..Marine Grade isnt waterproof at all, by the way
It simply means that the wood is less porous than other grades.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Considering a 16' starcraft SS bow rider

Correct. Marine grade uses a better quality glue and has fewer voids. Still needs to be sealed.

 

[Bill Foote]

Re: Considering a 16' starcraft SS bow rider

Thanks again for all the input guys!

I went to see the boat yesterday... I can't begin to tell you how deceived and misled I was. Apparently the current owner believes that particle board is the same thing as marine grade and that replacing a floor means put an additional layer on top of the 3-4 older/rotten layers... Very displeased, not because it need so much help but that the asking price was $1400.

Anyway time to re-evaluate: I do like the 16SS and I would also consider an 18'... However, can any of you tell me about starcrafts which came with I/O's which length/model aluminum starcrafts came in this configuration and about how much did they weigh? I think the mercruiser 2.5L package weigh's somewhere around 800lbs. I suspect a 16-19' aluminum boat w/mercuiser would weigh between 1500-2000lbs?

Any thoughts on I/0 equipped starcrafts?

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Considering a 16' starcraft SS bow rider

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=349830

Why don't you have a look at some brochures...plenty of I/O models to pick from, or stay on the water more with an OB