First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

[first-time-boat]

Hello All,

I am looking at used 1974 StarCraft American 16 OB fiberglass and need help with concern I have. I have only seen pictures and looks really good with exception for stain on back of fiberglass transom area on the out side. My question is should I be concerned about this. I have hopefully attached some pictures and look forward to any and all advice.

Thx so much................really looks good from pictures can wait to see it on Monday July 29, 2013.

L.Weber

 

[ThrottleBack]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

wow the boat looks great up until that part. I don't know what that is, but others here certainly will.

 

[first-time-boat]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

wow the boat looks great up until that part. I don't know what that is, but others here certainly will.

Yes I think it looks great too! Sure hope this is not a bad thing and a major repair would be required..?? Keeping fingers crossed.

L.Weber

 

[NYBo]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

Welcome to iboats!:welcome:

The boat looks good from what little can be seen in the pictures, but I think you are right to be concerned about the discoloration on the transom. That's an area where rot can start if the drain fitting and/or outboard mounting bolt holes weren't properly sealed. Proceed with caution!

If you aren't confident you can detect such a problem, as well as other problems that might be present, take someone with you who can.

 

[first-time-boat]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

Welcome to iboats!:welcome:

The boat looks good from what little can be seen in the pictures, but I think you are right to be concerned about the discoloration on the transom. That's an area where rot can start if the drain fitting and/or outboard mounting bolt holes weren't properly sealed. Proceed with caution!

If you aren't confident you can detect such a problem, as well as other problems that might be present, take someone with you who can.

I'm sure I can detect rot if someone can tell me how to look for it? Perhaps I should have him take the motor off and look at bolt holes? Sure like the boat but will proceed with caution!!
Does anyone know what the standard motor was on this year boat? if I had to guess it wasn't this motor.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

the smartest thing you have done so far is put "single female" in the subject; you will get way more help from the "gentlemen" here. Whether you are or not!

Welcome to Iboats!

 

[NYBo]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

Here are the basic specs for the boat: Boat: 1974 Starcraft Marine American 16

The quick and dirty way to check the transom would be to stand on the bottom of the outboard and look for flex. I would also tap the whole transom with a rubber mallet and listen for any spot that sounds hollow. Also see if the fitting for the drain plug it sealed tightly to the transom.

If it passes these tests, you want to check the cockpit sole ("deck" or "floor") for any soft spots.

Then there is the motor. Running it on land with "muffs" attached can tell you if it starts easily, but you can't really make a judgement without an on-water test. A compression test would be a great idea.

 

[12thManFalseStart]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

I just bought my boat 2 weeks ago, and the biggest mistake I made was not going on a test run before I purchased. It's the only way to tell if it's worth it or not. Also, I didn't check the trailer, and now I'll have to pay for that too. Make sure the tire wear is even, and the axle doesn't look bent. Jump up and down in the boat to feel for soft spots in the floor.

 

[xjdriver]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

I wouldn't be suprised if thats the original motor, looks about the right year. You could try the old knock method by listening for hollowness in the transom, or lock the motor down and try to yank on it and see if the transom flexes excessively. That spot looks pretty odd, but im not a fiberglass guy so not sure what thats all about.

 

[first-time-boat]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

the smartest thing you have done so far is put "single female" in the subject; you will get way more help from the "gentlemen" here. Whether you are or not!

Welcome to Iboats!

I am all female! Thx for the welcoming!

I have always had a love for boats and figured its time to get a new used starter boat. I have looked at several manufactures and I keep going back to starcraft. Really like the early 1960 StarCraft.

 

[ThrottleBack]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

Yea definitely run it on the water before buying it.

 

[first-time-boat]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

Here are the basic specs for the boat: Boat: 1974 Starcraft Marine American 16

The quick and dirty way to check the transom would be to stand on the bottom of the outboard and look for flex. I would also tap the whole transom with a rubber mallet and listen for any spot that sounds hollow. Also see if the fitting for the drain plug it sealed tightly to the transom.

If it passes these tests, you want to check the cockpit sole ("deck" or "floor") for any soft spots.

Then there is the motor. Running it on land with "muffs" attached can tell you if it starts easily, but you can't really make a judgement without an on-water test. A compression test would be a great idea.

I will make sure and use all these wonderful test methods you have described above and will ask that we take it out on the water for a test drive. Who does the compression test? I have heard you guys talk about this but not sure what this will tell me. Should be fun trying to balance on the bottom/back of the outboard. Should I see any flex at all? I can put about 141 pounds on it by standing on it.

thx for all your help much appreciated to you and all!

 

[ThrottleBack]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

by flex they mean to lock the motor then grab the lower unit and lift up as hard as you can and see if the transom flexes. You can compression test yourself with a gauge, autozone lends them out. just remove the spark plugs and crank.

example

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFjTdNCo9mU

 

[first-time-boat]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

I just bought my boat 2 weeks ago, and the biggest mistake I made was not going on a test run before I purchased. It's the only way to tell if it's worth it or not. Also, I didn't check the trailer, and now I'll have to pay for that too. Make sure the tire wear is even, and the axle doesn't look bent. Jump up and down in the boat to feel for soft spots in the floor.

Thx for the info on the trailer and test run on the water. I will make sure and jump up and down to feel for soft spots and look over the frame of the trailer. Sorry about your trailer issue. Hopefully didn't cost much.

what about the bottom of the boat? I really need to get underneath and make sure it is sound correct?

thx much..........

 

[NYBo]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

Who does the compression test? I have heard you guys talk about this but not sure what this will tell me.

Anyone with the proper sparkplug wrench and a compression tester can do it. It's not too complicated. Instructions come with the tester. You would be looking for numbers of at least 120 (higher is better) with no more than a 10% difference between the highest and lowest cylinders.

Should be fun trying to balance on the bottom/back of the outboard. Should I see any flex at all? I can put about 141 pounds on it by standing on it.

There should be no visible flex with 141# of force.

 

[first-time-boat]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

very nice boat by the way.:laugh:

 

[first-time-boat]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

by flex they mean to lock the motor then grab the lower unit and lift up as hard as you can and see if the transom flexes. You can compression test yourself with a gauge, autozone lends them out. just remove the spark plugs and crank.

example

1998 Mercury 175 2.5 Outboard Compression test - YouTube

OK I get it. What if it is low what does this indicate and what needs to be done to correct it?
Just got to love youtube! :happy:

 

[ThrottleBack]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

low compression indicates the need to rebuild the engine.

 

[first-time-boat]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

I wouldn't be suprised if thats the original motor, looks about the right year. You could try the old knock method by listening for hollowness in the transom, or lock the motor down and try to yank on it and see if the transom flexes excessively. That spot looks pretty odd, but im not a fiberglass guy so not sure what thats all about.

Is Mercury a good reliable motor given maintenance was done on regular basis?

 

[first-time-boat]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

not a road I want to go down at this point. thx for the info.