Help with year of 16' SS? Inspection tips?

[jeremyinwi]

Hello All,

I'm checking out this 16' Baja SS and could use some help identifying the year, as well as any other model/year specific items I should inspect prior to purchase? I'm a mechanical engineer, but new to boating. Serial no. says " 959381" Baja Super Sport.

Pics here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/DktH6Q66cKb51koe8

Thank you!

 

[jbcurt00]

Hello All,

I'm checking out this 16' Baja SS.....
....
Serial no. says " 959381" Baja Super Sport

No, it doesnt list Baja anywhere.... thats a long gone BIA certification. Google it for more info about BIA

The port console has been removed, does the seller still have it?

Probably needs a new deck and transom, so its a project boat.

Unless the owner lets you drop it in the water and run it around for a bit, consider the motor a project as well. Running it on a hose or in a bucket doesnt count. Project boats typically come on project trailers.

So is it priced as a project?

And never believe anything the seller tells you anout it unless he can provide proof. Esp not "it ran last time out"....

 

[Alumarine]

And never believe anything the seller tells you about it unless he can provide proof. Esp not "it ran last time out"....

Or just needs a tune up...

 

[classiccat]

Unless the owner lets you drop it in the water and run it around for a bit,

...and have some fun taking out a few mailboxes :lol:

 

[jeremyinwi]

No, it doesnt list Baja anywhere.... thats a long gone BIA certification. Google it for more info about BIA

The port console has been removed, does the seller still have it?

Probably needs a new deck and transom, so its a project boat.

Unless the owner lets you drop it in the water and run it around for a bit, consider the motor a project as well. Running it on a hose or in a bucket doesnt count. Project boats typically come on project trailers.

So is it priced as a project?

And never believe anything the seller tells you anout it unless he can provide proof. Esp not "it ran last time out"....

You're correct, sorry, I read "BIA" as "Baja". Is that serial number a Starcraft serial number or is that a BIA certification number?

He's taking us out on it tomorrow, so we'll see. Floor feels solid, he said he replaced it a couple years ago.

Jeremy

 

[DLNorth]

This is VERY interesting.

We have what I have identified as a 1970 Starcraft SS 16, S/N 959321, note that our S/N is just a few earlier than the one you are looking at. Ours also has the same HP and load ratings as this one, and note that the values are basically the values for an 18 ft boat, not a 16. I had originally thought that the plate was a mistake and was a 18 ft plate, and maybe it is, but after seeing this one, I'm convinced that it is the original plate installed by Starcraft.

In our case I also think that a larger motor was originally installed as the transom was bowed out when we got it. (it had an old V4 75 hp motor when we got it). Being that our boat got a new floor many years before the internet and this site, and as the transom was very solid, I added a heavy 2x2x1/4 SS angle across the width of the transom to straighten it and take the load. Meaning, check the transom closely for both rot and straightness just in case.

Dan

Edit, we also had the same trailer, which I thought was a bit light at 1200 lbs. I up graded to a much heavier Spartan roller trailer and to a 1976 Merc 850.

 

[jbcurt00]

You're correct, sorry, I read "BIA" as "Baja". Is that serial number a Starcraft serial number or is that a BIA certification number?

He's taking us out on it tomorrow, so we'll see. Floor feels solid, he said he replaced it a couple years ago.

Jeremy

Starcraft serial #, but it doesnt decode to provide a year.

Better get more info about replacement deck (floor)


Flotation foam? Replaced w what? Some good some not so good choices. Pool noodles, no good

Reused old foam, not good
None no good

Was there any corrosion below deck? Did he look?

Any rivet/seam sealer used? Which 1? None, not too bad, but not good....

How are none original pedestal seat posts mounted? What extra support was adddd bow deck to support pedestals?

Any 2X lumber used in the redo? If, so not good.

Was the plywood deck sealed before being laid? W what? How was deck fastened down? Rivets/screws?

And thats just off the top of my head @5minutes during my break.

 

[DLNorth]

BTW, I didn't give you my opinion of this boat, unless it is real cheap or you are looking for a project, I would pass on it.

Like many other things, you are way ahead spending a bit more money to get a much newer and in better condition item, in this case boat.

And in another month or so when people start to think about storing them for the winter, there will literally be hundreds of boats like this for sale, and some in very nice condition.

 

[jeremyinwi]

Thank you very much for the info. So far, its eems like maybe it's an early 70's, maybe 1972.

He's asking $1700...

 

[jeremyinwi]

This is VERY interesting.

We have what I have identified as a 1970 Starcraft SS 16, S/N 959321, note that our S/N is just a few earlier than the one you are looking at. Ours also has the same HP and load ratings as this one, and note that the values are basically the values for an 18 ft boat, not a 16. I had originally thought that the plate was a mistake and was a 18 ft plate, and maybe it is, but after seeing this one, I'm convinced that it is the original plate installed by Starcraft.

In our case I also think that a larger motor was originally installed as the transom was bowed out when we got it. (it had an old V4 75 hp motor when we got it). Being that our boat got a new floor many years before the internet and this site, and as the transom was very solid, I added a heavy 2x2x1/4 SS angle across the width of the transom to straighten it and take the load. Meaning, check the transom closely for both rot and straightness just in case.

Dan

Edit, we also had the same trailer, which I thought was a bit light at 1200 lbs. I up graded to a much heavier Spartan roller trailer and to a 1976 Merc 850.

I had noticed the same thing and found a few other folks online with the same odd HP rating for a 16' boat. Read about the change in HP rating from shaft to prop around that time, but don't think that would account for THAT much of a difference. Wonder if maybe they made some small run of a higher power rated 16' SS model???

 

[jbcurt00]

I missed it before, but theres no way thats a 16ftrs spec plate.

8people in a 16ft would be cramped and a 125hp would be overpower by 35-45hp, and 1900lbs max capacity would be too much.....

Thats an 18ftrs spec plate,, which would have a 125hp max, 8ppl and 1900lb capacity

Maybe its an 18ft SS if it isnt and the paperwork says it isnt, then somethings amiss and walk away........ might be the wrong paperwork, even if its been 'officially" registered and titled 16ftr.

When titles for boats started, most werent well inspected before issuing paperwork. Here in WV a 16ftr costs less to register annually, so there might have been a tax dodge titling it as a 16ftr.

 

[DLNorth]

RUN, don't walk away from the boat, that's way over priced.
And based on the S/N, it's a 1970 like ours. That's based on reviewing the catalogs and matching features to the catalog. The biggest are the plastic windshield and the bow railing (which you don't have).

Thank you very much for the info. So far, its seems like maybe it's an early 70's, maybe 1972.

He's asking $1700...

As for the odd plate, my thought was it was incorrectly applied at the factory, mainly because I checked our boats old registrations and it was originally registered with that S/N. And I agree, I think that a bunch of 18 ft plates were put on 16 ft boats.

 

[jeremyinwi]

I'll definitely bring a tape measure tomorrow and check out the registration, and report back!

IF everything is in good working order, including the Johnson 75hp and Minkota trolling motor, what do all think a fair price would be?

 

[DLNorth]

Note - These are late summer prices. I just checked and high early spring/summer prices are still being asked.
If that motor was here in the Twin Cities (MN), I suspect it would be listed for $500-800. The boat and trailer, $500 tops and it probably wouldn't sell.
I'd still pass just cause I don't like fixing somebody else's work.