Looking to buy this boat! Help...?

[Zimm11]

Hi, im new here and have been lurking the forum reading up on these StarCrafts! Seem like good boats and passionate owners. Im buying my FIRST boat and came across this guy and pretty much knew I wanted it. We contacted the guy through email and will be making plans to go see it. It is located about 3hrs away so ill have to wait till next weekend (hopefully it dosnt sell in that short time). Anyway, like I said, first boat and you all seem to know your stuff. Is this a good deal, solid boat, what to look for, ask about ect...Complete newbie. Also id like to use it as primarily a fishing boat. Any help would be GREAT...Thanks Nick!


Here she is!

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/boa/2953044270.html

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: Looking to buy this boat! Help...?

Welcome aboard! That's a neat boat, and a very period color scheme..... Its nice that it has a newer engine in it. I would suggest looming over the floor and trasom very closely to see if any part is soft- for that kind of money I would not want to have to replace the transom. Also, I would highly suggest that you take it for a test run on a lake since he sounds like he is selling it as turn key. Again, welcome aboard!

 

[justintime166]

Re: Looking to buy this boat! Help...?

I agree with the Chief! The last thing you want to find is a rotten floor that has rotten stringers. Take baby steps all over the deck. If it gives like a trampoline... you may have a problem.

 

[CPTom21]

Re: Looking to buy this boat! Help...?

Yeah, nice colors. Like he said, check the floors and transom. Welcome to the Starmada!!

 

[Zimm11]

Re: Looking to buy this boat! Help...?

Thanks for the welcome guys and the help!!!

I found a great write up by someone on here (http://transomfix.dcpolk.com/) about that process and how to look/deal with that if I should come across it...

Anyone else with ideas on what to look for and if hes asking a fair price? Im not one to haggle lol I just dont like to :redface:

 

[Zimm11]

Re: Looking to buy this boat! Help...?

Also, how can you tell what model it is? I see some of these boats called SS, Holiday, Jupiter ect...Thanks

 

[Grandad]

Re: Looking to buy this boat! Help...?

Also, how can you tell what model it is? I see some of these boats called SS, Holiday, Jupiter ect...Thanks

Welcome aboard. I think it's an SS. Obviously aluminum, so don't follow the thread you posted for transom replacement in fibreglass boats. It's actually easier to replace in a "tinny" than in a glass boat. Looks like a nice boat. - Grandad

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: Looking to buy this boat! Help...?

It looks like a Super Sport. I just replaced the transom on my tinny, its not nearly as hard as fiberglass but for $2400 it should not need anything. Id offer $2000 if I were you if the wood is good.

 

[bunker108]

Re: Looking to buy this boat! Help...?

I paid $1700 for an 18' SS that was much rougher than that one. It looks like a great boat. Go for it and be prepared to do some work. Every 40 year old boat needs something. But that one looks like a great place to start.

 

[Zimm11]

Re: Looking to buy this boat! Help...?

Oh yea that is a glass boat in that article, lol! Thanks for the help guys, hope to stay a while and learn a lot as I get my boating career under way!!!

 

[chuckndiscs]

Re: Looking to buy this boat! Help...?

Oh yea that is a glass boat in that article, lol! Thanks for the help guys, hope to stay a while and learn a lot as I get my boating career under way!!!

Welcome!!! That boat looks like a nice one but like was previously stated, look for the hidden gotchas (Transom, floor UNDER the splash guard, ahhh...ummmm....ahhh (Little help here paproof?... the motor's hookup to the outdrive thingy... I am an egg beater Outboard type so I dont know much about these car engine powered water vehicles).

There are a few of us from MN and we are glad to have you on the team!!! We had our first annual fall STARMADA get together last year on lake minnetonka (and my boat didnt start, lets just get that out of the way) so stay tuned for the second annual anouncement! This year we will have to spend more of the day together though, do lunch on one of the islands, etc. Paparoof, myself, StacraftSS (Sorry if I messed it up, trying to remember from memory) and losdinspace are all from the twin cities area. Losd and I have 16' SS's, papa has a Islander and he rebuilt the entire damn thing, and STARCRAFTSS I have not had the fortunate to meet yet.

Keep us posted on how it goes! (FYI - There is another for sale in the twin cities area, 20' SS for around the same...check it out).

Chuckndiscs! aka Chuck aka "banana boater with no running motor"

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Looking to buy this boat! Help...?

Man, that boat looks like it just rolled out of the factory (@ 40 years), nice!

I'd say if the engine checks...

The deck is solid all the way around...

The transom is solid all the way around...

That is a great boat at a very fair price

 

[dozerII]

Re: Looking to buy this boat! Help...?

Chuck, you just cost me $2500. for the boat mentiond above plus a 1600 mile round trip.
I never thought a 20 SS would come up so I kind of reigned myself to the 18' after saying no to a 22'
Glen

 

[chuckndiscs]

Re: Looking to buy this boat! Help...?

Chuck, you just cost me $2500. for the boat mentiond above plus a 1600 mile round trip.
I never thought a 20 SS would come up so I kind of reigned myself to the 18' after saying no to a 22'
Glen

When are you going to be here to pick it up? I'll take you out to dinner for the trouble I have caused

Chuck

 

[dozerII]

Re: Looking to buy this boat! Help...?

When are you going to be here to pick it up? I'll take you out to dinner for the trouble I have caused

Chuck

No Problem Chuck, but I will be there Saturday morning if everything works out.
Glen

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Looking to buy this boat! Help...?

When are you going to be here to pick it up? I'll take you out to dinner for the trouble I have caused

Chuck

Oh man Glen, steak n' lobster buddy!

Heck, I'm feeling a bit put out by the drive too. Order me a fat burger while you are at it. FedEx works great

 

[Zimm11]

Re: Looking to buy this boat! Help...?

Im glad I could get you two together lol!!!

So it looks like I will be heading up to Brainerd this Saturday to check it out and bring her home if all goes well!!! I did ask him about all mentioned above, and he said its in great condition accept for under one of the back seats where the gas tank is, there is a tiny soft spot. Other than that no other red flags over the phone. He seems like a great guy and was forthcoming with that information, which I appreciate and is a good judge of character in my opinion. I am really getting excited for the summer now and if I do buy this boat ill have to put up some pictures! Again, thanks for all the help here guys!!!

 

[barato2]

Re: Looking to buy this boat! Help...?

that's not an uncommon area for soft floors. if that's it, no problem. but, esp given that, take a sharp probe and poke at the bottom of the transom, waaaay up under the splashwell, for soft spots.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Looking to buy this boat! Help...?

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/boa/2970355498.html

 

[dozerII]

Re: Looking to buy this boat! Help...?

How did you make out Saturday Zimm?