Possible Renovation Project Looking for Opinions

[Midwest_Hunt_N_Fish]

Hello, I'm a new member to the forums and have done a lot of reading here. I have recently been given the opportunity to take an old boat off of my grandpa's hands. From what I've seen of the boat and read here it appears to be a 1973 Starcraft SuperSport but I could be wrong. I've got some pictures of the boat from my dad that I'm going to try to upload and am wondering what everyone here thinks. What am I getting myself into? What am I looking at as far as amount of work? Is it worth the trouble?

I'm open for all opinions.


Thank you,

Shane

 

[gm280]

Well :welcome: aboard Midwest_Hunt_N_Fish. Always nice to have a new member here on iboats...

I looked over the few pictures. And I see a great project myself. Of course the first thing is to clean it out and then post some more pictures. But it looks easily doable to me. Of course there are lots of work ahead of you if you're up to it. But it looks, from what I've seen thus far, like a nice setup. I would clean it out, check the floor for any soft stops and the transom for any rot. And even if those things need repalced, it still is a doable project.

Looks like the trailer is going to need work as well. But that isn't very hard to to either. JMHO

 

[DeepBlue2010]

Hello, I'm a new member to the forums and have done a lot of reading here. I have recently been given the opportunity to take an old boat off of my grandpa's hands. From what I've seen of the boat and read here it appears to be a 1973 Starcraft SuperSport but I could be wrong. I've got some pictures of the boat from my dad that I'm going to try to upload and am wondering what everyone here thinks. What am I getting myself into? What am I looking at as far as amount of work? Is it worth the trouble?

I'm open for all opinions.


Thank you,

Shane

Welcome to iBoats M8. You are getting yourself into a great deal of work and multiple hours of labor. Owning a boat in general but specially restoring one is THE definition of continuous work to keep your vessel seaworthy. So, sorry to be the messenger of the bad news but this is no walk in the park.

But, and I have to say this, with this great deal of labor comes great deal of reward. You will know everything there is to know about your boat, not many people can say that. You will gain the skills that makes you - as a boat owner - capable of handling what boat ownership throws at you without having to sign your house deed to the marine shops and you will have a nicely built working boat for the fraction of the cost that you can buy one - even a used one - for.

Is it worth the trouble is a question that only you can answer. Personally, if I can find a boat my grand father and my father used before me, I would make it my business to restore it to a show room shape and hand it over to my son before I sign off.

But sentimental aside, do you see yourself/your family enjoying this boat? Is this the boat you want to own and take care of for years to come? Does it suit your boating needs whether those are fishing, cruising or what have you?

If the answer is yes, roll up your sleeves and have at it. If not, pass.

If you decide to give it a go, I would start first with the engine. You need to (or have it) inspect the engine and access it is status. If the engine is good to go, the rest is manageable.

 

[garbageguy]

I agree with the above - would not say bad news - that depends on what you want out of it, and what you're willing to put into it, and if you have a place to work on it and store it.

For another perspective my (24 yr old) son, who is very good with boats, wants to sell the 2000 Starcraft his grandfather bought new, all our kids and many others learned to boat, ski, tube, etc on, family history abounds. I would spend the time and $ to bring it back to new. He has had it with IO's and just wants to move on.

But again, from the pictures and description, looks like a goer to me

 

[southkogs]

Good stuff so far: I would agree that it's not really bad news, but more realistic news. To add a more concise note to it - if you're just wanting to get on the water, you'll do it cheaper and faster by buying something else. No two ways around it. HOWEVER, if you like the idea of the project, like the nostalgia of the boat, like the boat in general or "all of the above" it's a project that can be completed without killing yourself.

Lot's of good topics in the restoration forum to see how tough the work can be.

Welcome aboard :welcome:

 

[Woodonglass]

My 2 cents is...Go price a NEW boat of similar style and then you'll have your answer. As Deep asked, IS this the boat you want for you and your family. Or maybe just you for fishing. If so, Aluminum boats are much easier to repair as long as the hull is sound and void of holes and bad rivets. Basically replace the wood transom, Flotation Foam, and deck and she'll be good as new. If the motor is a "Runner" then it should be a whole lot cheaper than buying a new one. 100 man hours and you'll be on the water.

 

[Midwest_Hunt_N_Fish]

Thank you all for the responses! I am excited about the opportunity to be able to fix up the boat. I just didn't know if it was going to be impossible for a first time project. But looking at some of the other posts here about similar boats it doesn't seem too bad.

Answering some of the comments above my family and I would use and enjoy the boat tremendously. My personal use for the boat would be for fishing and that was where another question came up. Aside from more work, would moving the console back and adding deck space and storage like a more modern aluminum fishing rig work with this style of boat?

First step is to drive the nearly 400 miles out to the Hills and get the trailer in working order and the boat cleaned out to transport back to my place. I'm sure snow is coming soon here in South Dakota so I'm actually debating going out there cleaning it up and getting a better cover for it for the winter and hauling it back next spring? There's plenty of organizing and planning ahead, I'll be here frequently.



Thanks again,
Shane

 

[ezmobee]

There is no easier boat to own, maintain, launch and retrieve than an old Starcraft SS. Restored mine 7 years ago. Fantastic boats. Easily restorable. The cost and effort variables basically just depend on how long you want it to last. You can slap new painted transom and decks in it in a weekend if you wanted. Your outboard looks like a '73 Johnson 85 which is identical to the one I had on my previous restore which was a '66 Starcraft Jupiter. Yours has a HIGHLY desirable tilt 'n trim unit on it. Rare for year. Should push that boat 35-40MPH. Check out the Starcraft section of this site. LOTS of similar restore threads.