New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

[jasoutside]

Hey guys! I just stumbled on this site - loads of information, just what I need!

I have just started the hunt for a new, old, boat. Here is my search criteria:

#1 She must be ridiculously cheap!

#2 She'll be mainly used for fishing Lake Huron and Lake Michigan with my boys. So, Starcraft for sure. Islander/Chieftian/Holiday maybe? At this point I don't know the major differences between these boats.

#3 I am thinking that I'd like the motor to be blown or not even there. While I am not afraid of hard work motors are simply outside of my knowledge base. Any motor work will be done by the marine dealer so I am almost apt to have them just install a new/rebuild vs. throwing good money after bad in a old motor with issues.

#4 Condition of the boat? Probably not a factor as I'll likely be gutting and rebuilding/repainting eh!

What do you fellas think?? I'd love to hear thoughts/suggestions.

Merry Christmas!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

For the big water I think you're correct to be going after a closed bow. The Islanders/Chieftains/Starchiefs are going to be a better use of that bow space than a Holiday. All 3 are similar and are very cool boats. You need to decide the length you want and outboard Vs. I/O. I personally prefer an outboard but that's just me.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

For the big water I think you're correct to be going after a closed bow. The Islanders/Chieftains/Starchiefs are going to be a better use of that bow space than a Holiday. All 3 are similar and are very cool boats. You need to decide the length you want and outboard Vs. I/O. I personally prefer an outboard but that's just me.

Cool - Starchief in the mix and Holiday out, that was easy.

I am thinking a 22 footer (give or take) should be just about right for me.

I like the idea of an outboard but I have heard that I/O's are significantly easier for mechanics to work on, therefore, less $$$?? So, at this point I'd be leaning toward I/O.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

Then you'll love what my buddy and I just drug home last weekend (for him, I have an 18' open bow). 21' Chieftain. Outboard version which is so rare it practically doesn't exist. http://s176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/Chris Boat/

The outboard vs. I/O debate is a long and difficult one. You are correct that the ENGINE part of an I/O is easier to work on especially for someone with an automotive background. However the outdrive adds a whole other level of complexity to the equation. I/Os require more maintenance.....winterization, bellows, gimble bearings, U-joints etc. etc. Outboards, not so much.

 

[BWR1953]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

jasoutside - Can't go wrong with a Starcraft! I'd recommend going with the simplicity of an outboard powered boat. I've had both an I/O and outboards over the years and the outboard is far less hassle in the long run. How old/big are your boys? Toddlers, teenagers and grown men all have differing needs, which can help determine sizing requirements.

ezmobee - your buddy has an awesome S/C which has an awesome name!

 

[Kainon]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

So I/O's are easier to work on and can be purchased cheaper than OB's but, depending on the OB you get you can get one that's easy to work on too.
NEW they are $$$ up front

One thing I dont like about OB's is I think the splash well takes up a little too much space.

Now If you get a I/O that has a junk or no engine, replace the transom wood, throw on an Outdrive Bracket then you'll also gain the performance advantage of the bracket, more space in the boat for fishing !!

If you go for a 22' I'd recommend somewhere around 150hp with a 10hp 4 stroke kicker. the 150hp will get you where you want to go quick and the kicker will let you troll for hours. If I had a kicker, personally i'd have it on its own fuel source.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

jasoutside - Can't go wrong with a Starcraft! I'd recommend going with the simplicity of an outboard powered boat. I've had both an I/O and outboards over the years and the outboard is far less hassle in the long run. How old/big are your boys? Toddlers, teenagers and grown men all have differing needs, which can help determine sizing requirements.

I/O v. Outboard - good insight, thanks!

As for my boys...

They are pretty small right now. I have one at 3.5 and the other at 1.5. My oldest I took out a few times walleye fishing in the Bay and he love it! I am sort of planning what ever restoration taking me the better part of a year (maybe two) with my time constraints, family commitments, and cash flow. I sort of see it as an long term investment, maybe as the boat they'll grow up and learn to fish in, eh!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

So I/O's are easier to work on and can be purchased cheaper than OB's but, depending on the OB you get you can get one that's easy to work on too.
NEW they are $$$ up front

One thing I dont like about OB's is I think the splash well takes up a little too much space.

Now If you get a I/O that has a junk or no engine, replace the transom wood, throw on an Outdrive Bracket then you'll also gain the performance advantage of the bracket, more space in the boat for fishing !!

Yah, I Love this idea!

If you go for a 22' I'd recommend somewhere around 150hp with a 10hp 4 stroke kicker. the 150hp will get you where you want to go quick and the kicker will let you troll for hours. If I had a kicker, personally i'd have it on its own fuel source.

Thanks, great suggestions!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

So what do you fellas think of this one:

http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/boa/1480159979.html

It's really more than I can afford unfortunately - I think he might be asking a bit too much though. I know it's been on clist for quite a while.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

WELL worth the money there.

My only concern would be if that motor is an OMC SeaDrive which it kinda looks to be. It was a design OMC had to do exactly what Kainon described above. I don't think they were overly problematic nor would I let it me a deal breaker but I believe parts are tough to come by for anything related to the transom bracket/tilt trim, etc.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

EZ is correct on the I/O's having their own set of problems..

General car knowledge will help, but the entire outdrive is a beast unto itself with its own nuances and maint demands.

On the 26 foot beast...Great find..Why not make an offer MINUS that OB?

You will have pleanty of time to find a more modern OB unit while you are fixing up the boat itself.

Welcome aboard..happy hunting

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

I've seen that one on craigslist for months and I personally wouldn't be interested. The fact that it was an I/O that was converted to an outboard means possible issues. At 26ft she's a big hull and I absolutely love islanders but not this one.

For $1800 that OB had better be in good shape or it's not much of a deal.

If I were you I'd keep an eye out for an 18'-21' Islander or Chieftain that was setup for an outboard at the factory. If you prefer I/O then they are even more plentiful and can be found right here in MI given a little time and searching.

I recently bought a boat after two years of looking and I'm glad I waited for the right one to pop up at a good price. Don't wait too long though those boys need to be fishing this summer (I've got two boys myself and bought the boat for the same reasons you mentioned.)

Good luck to ya!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

I've seen that one on craigslist for months and I personally wouldn't be interested. The fact that it was an I/O that was converted to an outboard means possible issues. At 26ft she's a big hull and I absolutely love islanders but not this one.

For $1800 that OB had better be in good shape or it's not much of a deal.

If I were you I'd keep an eye out for an 18'-21' Islander or Chieftain that was setup for an outboard at the factory. If you prefer I/O then they are even more plentiful and can be found right here in MI given a little time and searching.

I recently bought a boat after two years of looking and I'm glad I waited for the right one to pop up at a good price. Don't wait too long though those boys need to be fishing this summer (I've got two boys myself and bought the boat for the same reasons you mentioned.)

Good luck to ya!

Yah - 26 foot is probably a too big for me. I really think I should be staying closer to the 20 to 22 range. I am patient and can wait for just the right one to show itself.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

The 21' that I towed home for my friend was manageble both for my driving skills and the capacities of my older half ton pickup. Anything bigger than that would have been way out of my comfort zone I'll tell you that!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

The 21' that I towed home for my friend was manageble both for my driving skills and the capacities of my older half ton pickup. Anything bigger than that would have been way out of my comfort zone I'll tell you that!

Yah, that Chieftan looks like a sweet find! Congrats to him!

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

Welcome fellow Michigander. I've been eying Starcraft boats for a while and have yet to land one.

Ask a lot of questions and try to look at as many resto threads and pictures as you can. Then when you see one you can make a decision based on your research. Then ask some more questions please, chances are I probably have the same questions.

I am partial to the Islander series. I fish Lake St. Clair so my boat range is a little smaller than yours, 18-20 foot. I also like the Starchief, the Sunchief and the SS in an 18 foot.

I'll keep my eye open on the East Side here, if I see anything I'll let you know.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

Welcome fellow Michigander. I've been eying Starcraft boats for a while and have yet to land one.

Ask a lot of questions and try to look at as many resto threads and pictures as you can. Then when you see one you can make a decision based on your research. Then ask some more questions please, chances are I probably have the same questions.

I am partial to the Islander series. I fish Lake St. Clair so my boat range is a little smaller than yours, 18-20 foot. I also like the Starchief, the Sunchief and the SS in an 18 foot.

I'll keep my eye open on the East Side here, if I see anything I'll let you know.

Yah, I have been spending a lot of time checking out threads and eyeballing photos here in iBoats. I am on the hunt for something so I appreciate the extra set of eyes! Cheers Man!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

jasoutside, I'd recommend using crazedlist.org if you want to find a good boat. I tried it out after hearing about it from this site and I literally found my 16' boat of my dreams the first time I tried it out. You do have to change some settings on your PC to use it but it has easy directions.

You can search the entire Great Lakes region(which has more starcrafts per square mile than anywhere on the planet) in minutes for starcrafts and I can promise you it will help out. It does turn up results for fiberglass SC's that you have to wade thru but helps save lots of time.

I found this one 21.5 ft Chieftain w/ 165 Merc I/O. Would be a great rig for Huron/St Clair and comes with TONS of fishing gear and 8 poles

I would've tried talking him down to $1000 but I needed a 16' rig for now since that's all I can fit in the garage. I need to buy some acreage up north so that I can store a big one like this

 

[jasoutside]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

jasoutside, I'd recommend using crazedlist.org if you want to find a good boat. I tried it out after hearing about it from this site and I literally found my 16' boat of my dreams the first time I tried it out. You do have to change some settings on your PC to use it but it has easy directions.

You can search the entire Great Lakes region(which has more starcrafts per square mile than anywhere on the planet) in minutes for starcrafts and I can promise you it will help out. It does turn up results for fiberglass SC's that you have to wade thru but helps save lots of time.

I found this one 21.5 ft Chieftain w/ 165 Merc I/O. Would be a great rig for Huron/St Clair and comes with TONS of fishing gear and 8 poles

I would've tried talking him down to $1000 but I needed a 16' rig for now since that's all I can fit in the garage. I need to buy some acreage up north so that I can store a big one like this

Yup, I saw that one too. It might be a good find. I think something like that might be great if I had a little more cash on hand. I prolly jump on it if he came down on $$$.

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

That one being a 74 vintage probably needs lots of work. Looks like a good hull to start with but other than that you are going to spend lots of $$ to fix her up.
Trailer looks like junk, new trailer 4-5,000., new engine outdrive is $5,000 ish.
Plus all new wood, and interior, even add more money
I bought a 1986 version of that same boat about 5 yrs ago. I had to replace almost all the wood in the whole boat, floor and transom. With marine plywood this ran me some money. Numerous engine/outdrive parts (bellows, drive coupler, alternator, other). Then 2 yrs ago the engine lost a timing gear then I junked the engine for a new 3.0l ($3200 bill), last year the outdrive went bad replaced with sei ( another $1400). The engine and outdrive was not a 1986, but a 1971 merc. 140 I found that out after I bought the boat.
All said and done I have spend around $10,000 and boat cost me $4800.
I had a 15hp kicker now a 25hp kicker, I would highly recommend a long shaft 15hp or larger kicker if you are going to fish the big lake.
I fish the Pacific Ocean amost 100% of time with my ss, ran the main motor 100 plus hours last year.
Boats are not cheap to maintain.