New Boat choices

[baldwibr]

Hey fellas. I need your thoughts. I have the opportunity to buy a 1990 Starcraft Supersport 180 with a 1990 60 hp Mercury on it for a really good price. If you recall, my current boat is a 1980 SS 160 with a 70 hp Chrysler on it.

I'd like to know your thoughts on whether you think it would be reasonable to sell my 16' and buy this 18' with a newer hull that probably won't need to be repainted. I like the trailer on the 18' boat too a lot better than my current.

Also, is there anything specific about this 1990 model that I need to know about? I've checked the specs and the brochures, but other than that, I don't see a whole lot on them.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Watermann]

I guess it comes down to price and consider that the boat/motor has been sitting for a long time. Also think about the motor, my 18'r has a 140 on it and I would think that 60 will barely plane an 18'r being less than half the max HP. You would need to seek out another motor for it, at least a 115.

That is a great trailer, looks like an Escort like I have for my SS.

 

[baldwibr]

Yeah, my biggest concern is the wimpy motor. It's rated for up to 120hp. I was hoping for at least a 90. I could always buy an upgrade.

 

[Watermann]

A 120 is all? In the 80's the 18' SS went to 150 I thought.

 

[baldwibr]

According to the brochure and the boat specs....



The owner is letting us take it home so we're going to take it out tomorrow for a test run- if it runs...

 

[Watermann]

If they ran the carbs dry and you have a fuel tank with fresh fuel it could be a runner.

 

[No-AH]

That's a great find, period! If it were me, I would make my decision AFTER the weekend with it and get familiarized with an 18 fter. I would sell the 16' with the 75 on it and the line of seekers would be a mile long for the 60 as a re-power! As much as I love my holi, I would sell her in a heartbeat for an 18' as I suffer from twofootitus big time! Just my two cents.

 

[ab59]

Looks nice and clean , could you swap motors for a little more power ? Some mineral spirits would clean those seats up real nice and the oil left behind will make them soft and pliable. For me 18' is so much better and roomier that I myself would go with the 18 unless the price was not right for the condition. Got to admit though , you can get a 16 ftr. into spots that an 18 would be next to impossible so that might be a consideration.

 

[dozerII]

Looks like it's had a few covers over it by the remnants left inside. I would be lifting the bow of the trailer by hand to see how heavy it is, if you can't lift it without busting a N&$ it may have soggy pour in foam.

 

[baldwibr]

Well, checked it out today and it’s in great shape. Needs to be cleaned, but we dropped a battery in it and put some fresh fuel and it fired right up. I love the way it sits nice and low in the trailer. I’m going to make an offer.

 

[baldwibr]

Offer accepted!! I'm really looking forward to his fitting our family well. The good part is everything seems to work and it comes with the jumper seats in the back, the bow cover, and the bimini. The bad part is it's currently at my parent's place 3 hours away and I'm not sure when I'll have time to work on it and pick it up. I need to redo the lights and repack the bearings before we make the trip home. I'm going to leave the 60hp motor on it for now. Maybe a repower in the future. I also need to prepare the 16ft for sale.

 

[No-AH]

Well then, congrats M8ty! She looks like a fine craft and will suit you and family perfectly. Enjoy!

 

[Watermann]

Well then for the time being welcome to the MBS club. I would keep them both if I were you.

 

[ab59]

Man , no soft deck ? no roached out sun baked upholstery ? No blown up engine ? Now what you gonna do besides fish and ski all the time ? lol , great little boat and the mineral spirits really do clean and preserve the vinyl on the seats and side panels.
I'm with Watermann on the keep both boats, you never know when you'll need the smaller boat to sneak into some small waterway that a bigger boat just won't work at.

 

[classiccat]

Nice find! I bet she'll clean-up nice. :thumb:

I'd probably still give the transom a good look-over (rock that powerhead and look for flex) especially since it's only a matter of time until doubleHPitus takes hold ...as we know how quickly you succumbed to twofootitus :lol:

 

[baldwibr]

Watermann the wife said "NO" to two boats, so the other one must go, sadly. However, this one cleaned up real nice!!

 

[BWR1953]

Yep, that cleaned up real nice. Congrats!

 

[Watermann]

If given the choice that would be it, extra room and ready to go.

 

[No-AH]

Nice! You must be thrilled m8....and the room those extra 2 feet give!

 

[DLNorth]

Nice boat, good choice.