Starcraft Boats, why????

[Nucknoilerfan]

So I see that Starcraft boats are very popular and there seems to be quite a following. I'm wondering why?

I'm in the market for a affordable used aluminum boat and I was wondering what makes the Starcraft boats so desirable?

 

[Dirt_Farmer]

Re: Starcraft Boats, why????

They can be found really cheap with a good hull and junk insides and built into what ever you want.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Starcraft Boats, why????

Because I like them. :lol:


What D_F said. And there were plenty made so they aren't all that rare.

 

[Pmccraney]

Re: Starcraft Boats, why????

Im just going to grab a seat on the :couch2: and eat some opcorn:....

This should be fun...

 

[Nucknoilerfan]

Re: Starcraft Boats, why????

I hope I'm not hitting a nerve or opening up a can of worms but I am fishing for more info on these boats.

I'm eyeballing from a distance a 1969 16' that claims to have the floor and transom redone. I'm curious on what to look for in regards to future issues. Price is a huge issue and an Aluminum boat would suit my needs so I'll listen to Starcraft lovers and sceptics as well.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Starcraft Boats, why????

Im just going to grab a seat on the :couch2: and eat some opcorn:....

This should be fun...

It's too bad that Nuck didn't ask "tin over glass. why?" :lol:

I hope I'm not hitting a nerve or opening up a can of worms but I am fishing for more info on these boats.

I'm eyeballing from a distance a 1969 16' that claims to have the floor and transom redone. I'm curious on what to look for in regards to future issues. Price is a huge issue and an Aluminum boat would suit my needs so I'll listen to Starcraft lovers and sceptics as well.

Then just buy the thing. It's a 44 years old and even the 15 year hull warranty is long dead. If it is in your price range and looks good to you, go for it. You may be asking for the impossible as far as future issues, but we have seen just about everything here. From water ready boats for cheap to expensive that ended up as beer cans. It just happens.

If you haven't been here take a look at the restos. http://forums.iboats.com/starcraft-boats/starcraft-rebuilds-restorations-theyre-all-here-494143.html Find the model you're looking at go from there.

BTW - What are you looking at and what type of fishing are you planning.

 

[Pmccraney]

Re: Starcraft Boats, why????

No can of worms... Starcrafts have a cult following on this site, so I was just looking forward to the "alter call" where everyone comes forward and extols the virtues..

In all seriousness, based on what you have described for your wants and needs, any aluminum boat would be great for you... They are affordable to acquire, durable, easy (and generally safer) to work on (and/or modify to your liking)... A starcraft would be a great candidate because there are hundreds (if not thousands) of examples of finished projects on this site for you to take inspiration and ideas from..

Grab a cup of coffee and start here:

http://forums.iboats.com/starcraft-boats/starcraft-rebuilds-restorations-theyre-all-here-494143.html

This will give you a good introduction to the different models and set-ups...

Best of luck in your search... As far as the boat you are looking at, post some pictures (if you can) or a link to the online ad (craigslist, ebay, etc..). I would not pay extra for supposedly finished restoration work, unless you are confident that it was done right... Asking questions, posting pictures and reading a good bit on this site will help you gain that confidence...

Don't jump at the first boat you see; Starcraft projects are a dime a dozen, so let's be patient and get just the right one. A good solid hull is truly the most important... Reliable power would rank second if not 1(b), and a trailer would be a solid third in terms of key starting points...

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Starcraft Boats, why????

BTW Nuck - PMC is a reformed glasshead who saw the light and came over to Tinhalla. He's re-doing a Sea Nymph aluminum boat right now.

 

[64osby]

Re: Starcraft Boats, why????

If the PO redid the boat make sure they did not use pressure treated wood. It will rot the aluminum.

As other have said Starcraft's are great boats. The original construction is good and easy to maintain and update if (when) needed, ie new floor or transom. The construction is known for the most part and there are great examples shown in the forums.

Most older Aluminum boats are also easy to work on. Might stay away from Mirrocraft's that don't have stringers to support the floor and hull, they used pour in foam at one point. Lone Star, Sea Nymph, Duratech, Duracraft are others that have good bones and are easy to work on. I'm sure I missed a few others.

Our 1973 Starcraft still has the original interior with minor upgrades and is patiently waiting :Cry::twitch::miserable: to spend another year on the water.

As long as it's free of corrosion and the hull is clean, no cracks or bad weld repairs, a Starcraft should be able to be made water ready.

 

[Nucknoilerfan]

Re: Starcraft Boats, why????

If the PO redid the boat make sure they did not use pressure treated wood. It will rot the aluminum.

As other have said Starcraft's are great boats. The original construction is good and easy to maintain and update if (when) needed, ie new floor or transom. The construction is known for the most part and there are great examples shown in the forums.

Most older Aluminum boats are also easy to work on. Might stay away from Mirrocraft's that don't have stringers to support the floor and hull, they used pour in foam at one point. Lone Star, Sea Nymph, Duratech, Duracraft are others that have good bones and are easy to work on. I'm sure I missed a few others.

Our 1973 Starcraft still has the original interior with minor upgrades and is patiently waiting :Cry::twitch::miserable: to spend another year on the water.

As long as it's free of corrosion and the hull is clean, no cracks or bad weld repairs, a Starcraft should be able to be made water ready.

Some good info, thanks.

 

[dozerII]

Re: Starcraft Boats, why????

The hull design on the Starcrafts is very good, they are light, and as said above they are built well and easy to re-do. There is not a problem you can encounter on one that has not been answered in the Starcraft section. You will find there are hundreds and hundreds for sale in the mid west US but they are a lot rarer and more desirable in the west, which mean we have to pay a little more for them. Be careful of any aluminum boat that was used in the ocean, and not cared for properly, as the salt water can ruin a very nice aluminum boat.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Starcraft Boats, why????

BTW Nuck - PMC is a reformed glasshead who saw the light and came over to Tinhalla. He's re-doing a Sea Nymph aluminum boat right now.

http://i543.photobucket.com/albums/gg451/jasoutside/Sea Nymph SS 165/Kool-drink-cap-red-1.jpg

Metal boats are the bombdiggity and the Starcraft version are prolly the most plentiful (which also makes them the most reasonable $$).

Cheers:becky:

 

[Pmccraney]

Re: Starcraft Boats, why????

http://i543.photobucket.com/albums/gg451/jasoutside/Sea Nymph SS 165/Kool-drink-cap-red-1.jpg

Guilty as charged... (and happily reformed) :lol:

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Starcraft Boats, why????

So I see that Starcraft boats are very popular and there seems to be quite a following. I'm wondering why?

Starcraft, Sylvan, Smokercraft, Sea Nymph, Mirrocraft, Crestliner, Lund, Princecraft, Lone Star, Texas Maid, Blue Fin, Grumman, Tracker. Those are all brand names that you may encounter in searching for a used aluminum hull in your desired size range. Starcrafts are the most plentiful and that's pretty much the only reason they're so popular on this site. We've got quite a community going now of Starcraft owners and restorers.

64osby already mentioned some oddball Mirrocrafts you may want to avoid, I don't think that stringerless design is found in all their boats though. I personally don't think Spectrum Blue Fins ('80s-90's) were good boats, the older Blue Fins are fine. I'm not a fan of some Trackers either. Otherwise, it's pretty tough to go wrong with an aluminum hull barring the occasional severely cracked or corroded examples.

 

[Nucknoilerfan]

Re: Starcraft Boats, why????

I'm looking for a boat in the 16-18' range that I can use on some of the bigger coastal lakes for fishing as well as in the Fraser River for chasing Salmon and Sturgeon. The ability to mount rod holders and Downriggers would be very important.

A deep V is great for the coastal lakes but not ideal in the river which can go from a depth of 15' to 3' very quickly.

I'm thinking that the boat that would fit my needs the best would have a closed bow and powered with around 70 hp. Quick enough to get around and powerful enough that it doesn't bog me down with four adults on board.

My current boat is a 1974 17.5' Campion with a 175 OMC. The fiberglass hull restricts me from using it in the river and makes me nervous when beaching it on some of my favorite shorelines.

With this information do you guys think that a Jupiter would be a good fit?

 

[Nucknoilerfan]

Re: Starcraft Boats, why????

And, I am taking everyone's advice and exploring the other aluminum boat options in my price range.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Starcraft Boats, why????

Look for a Holiday. They had different sizes but I think the 18' is the most common. I believe a Holiday is a bit more substantial than the equivalent length Jupiter. I Jupiter will suffice though. Jupiters are all 16'.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Starcraft Boats, why????

With this information do you guys think that a Jupiter would be a good fit?

Nah, not really.

Based on what you just mentioned I'd be thinking Holiday or the short version of the Islander/Chieftain (18 footer range). Alum boats draft shallow so water depth isn't a big issue like it is with the glasser.

Happy hunting:thumb:

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Starcraft Boats, why????

or the short version of the Islander/Chieftain (18 footer range).

Starchief.

 

[Nucknoilerfan]

Re: Starcraft Boats, why????

After flipping through a few websites and some posts on renovations I would be leaning towards a Holiday or a Jupiter. I like an open boat with a convertible cover for fowl weather conditions. The cuddy cabin or a hard top have their advantages but at this point my needs wouldn't require one.