Starcraft jet boat

[idajack1]

Hi! I have been a lurker for a couple years gleaning information and entertainment from you guys. I have a '63 14' arrow with a 35 hp johnson (1957) that has become too small for the family, but has been a great first boat.
I really like what I have seen with the Starcraft stuff so in my search for a larger boat I have been looking with an eye out particularly for starcraft. the other thing I would eventually like is a nice aluminum jet boat to get out on the Snake and other rivers. I was excited to find a listing on CL for a 1976 18 foot starcraft jet boat and have exchanged emails with the seller and gotten a few photos of the boat and it looks like someone added the jet to the boat at some point. I was wondering if anyone would have any information concerning whether this is possibly a factory jet drive or was that ever an option with Starcraft?
If the jet was indeed added at a later time what are opinions on the idea, would it just happily replace an outdrive without differing the handling of the boat?
the owner says the boat has a low hour smal block chevy engine and hasn't been in the water for several years, it looks sound (pics always tell the truth right?) and I would be willing to do a significant amount of work to get a jet boat but if it's gonna have handling and performance dificulties then I would rather keep looking.
btw he's asking $1000.00 and live about five hours away from me.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Starcraft jet boat

Jack I cant say that I have found anything that says the Jet drive was an option but there is a thread in this section with a phone number to Starcraft you could always call them and ask if it was an option on the boat. I do think it looks like it was well done and there is another member here with a Jet drive Holiday although I think his is 21' and has a 454 nig block chevy motor in it .



Rick

 

[roverjohn]

Re: Starcraft jet boat

That would be mine. I've never seen a jet like that but I'm sure I have not seen everything. I'd be very interested in knowing what brand it is. If it's some obsolete pump finding parts, like an impeller, might be an issue. However for $1k I would almost surely take a risk. The cool thing about most jets, like a Berkeley, is that the transom does not see much of a load so it's very easy to do a retrofit. If the Snake River has a bunch of rapids that you plan on blasting up and down I'd be a little concerned about hull integrity. Actually I'd more likely just wear and extra good life jacket but that's me.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Starcraft jet boat

Thanks John I was thinking it was you with the other Jet drive but wasnt positive and figured you would pop in here . Seeing as how rare Jet drives seem to be on our boats.



Rick

 

[JimbC]

Re: Starcraft jet boat

I can tell you now just by looking at that it isn't factory. And not to discourage you but if you are REALLY wanting a river jet boat then that Starcraft is NOT what your looking for, not for rivers like the Snake. 1st off I would say the aluminum is really to thin skinned. Lots of big rocks and boulders. 2nd IF river boating you really want an all welded hull no RIVETS. Now that boat would be fine for the Rivers here in GA. Most of them anyway. But it also depends exactly what kind of River boating you are looking at if they are real shallow then you would want a tunnel hull. I am sure you have seen this stuff before but here are some examples of the different type river boats. IF it were me I would have to water test that boat first. Like i say you can tell that was not a factory job.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_7i1MekgOw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eun3DPAGR6c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKqB1NEBCLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIHKw4Smoxk

http://www.thunderjet.com/
http://www.phantomjetboat.com/

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Starcraft jet boat

I would say for a Grand I would be all over that boat if it was near me . The interior looks mostly original and in decent shape . I would start out with 8 pictures of Ben just to see how low the seller would go though . Maybe even start at 7 pictures of Ben . this is boat buying season not boat selling season .


Rick

 

[idajack1]

Re: Starcraft jet boat

Thanks for the replies.
I was pretty sure it didn't look factory, I appreciate the evaluation of the job not being too bad though.
As far as a river usage I would never even think of running Hells canyon in this boat, I have friends with a lot more $ than me who I can ride with. Not to mention in my younger years living around Lewiston I was in three seperate incidents of holing a boat, two requiring professional salvage. Nope I wasn't driving and all three were with the same guy, he just couldn't help but hit rocks.

I now live around Boise near the more wide/ flat and some times shallow and muddy part of the snake and this boat would be a pretty good length and draft for this area as long as the switch to jet propulsion hasn't totally affected the trim/balance etc of the craft.
Maybe I'll dig up the coffe can in the yard and take a road trip this weekend.
now I just have to figure out how to hide it from the swmbo, think I could convince her my little 14' fiberglass arrow went through puberty?

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Starcraft jet boat

LOL Jack as I recomended to Cheapboatkev when he was drooling over a very good priced Super Sport . Go by wallyworld on the way to get the boat and get a Camo tarp that will be big enough to hide the boat under . With any luck by the time SWMBO actually notices it you can say " what that old thing I've had it for years Honey " ROFLMAO.


Rick

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: Starcraft jet boat

Hi I lived in Nampa for 4 years and the Snake around there is good for most boats I also lived in Pullman and Colfax Wa and the snake there is marginal in places above there in Lewiston your right need a Duckworth or Alumaweld. The jet on the boat you posted is a, monster. I see ,it looks to me that the boat was origionally a outboard. you can see where the transom was and now has a platform over the rear end. I have a 22 ft holiday with a 200 johnson and love it . there a very well made boat. The price is very good for the area you are in. I live in Mt Vernon on the coast and use this on the Mighty Skagit River and Puget Sound a lot. Buy it and clean it up even if you change the engine you will never regret it Ed

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Starcraft jet boat

Ed ya have to look close at the pictures but in the sideview picture I can see the transom well enough to tell if it wasnt a Jet from the factory it was an I/O setup as it has a plat area above the transom and would have had a splashwell back there .


Rick

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Starcraft jet boat

Jack do ya by chance have a pic from the dash looking back towards the transom . The more I look at that boat the more I think its possible its original as it looks like there is a benchseat across the back ( that matches the loungers up front ) and also looks like the inboard motor is further forward much like you would find in a Skinautique. The engine cover also looks to have the same material on it as the seats.


Rick

 

[idajack1]

Re: Starcraft jet boat

thanks for the replies,
Here are a couple pics of the engine and rear seats/cover

and one of the front port side....the limited view of the hull looks good, but the platform and engine cover are somewhat homemade looking, although the rear wraparound (gunwale?)looks stock.
I have asked for more pics but haven't heard back so it's a wait and see.

also for those of you with jet experience, I assume there are trim adjustments etc. what are some things to look out for when buying a jet unit?

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: Starcraft jet boat

I would almost bet that was a Holiday model and converted to a jet pump. I have worked on a lot of boats and have never seen one with what appears to have been a, open engine well, with a inboard. Was a bic conversion if that is what was done. You can have a lot of fun makeing that any way you want. Safe boating. Ed

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Starcraft jet boat

Ok that was deffinately an I/O from the factory now as to wether or not it was a jet from the factory I am still not sure but the engine cover actually does have a ( stock ) shape to it and the gas tank on the port side is where it would have been from the factory . The seats are also original to the boat . This may require a call to Starcraft to get to the bottom of things as to the Jet drive . One other thing I did notice is that the Jet drive seems to have the same color as the graphiocs on the boat butthat doesnt mean the graphics were not repainted at some point . I will say if it was a conversion it looks pretty well done to me the engine looks like it was meant to be there although most Holiday I.O of that vintage would have had a 4 cylinder factory.



Rick

 

[sprintst]

Re: Starcraft jet boat

Has anyone else seen any Starcraft jets lately. I've got the bug and would like to pick one up next fall. It's a sickness I know.

Here's what I found locally but I'm sure would pay through the nose for it as well.

http://www.rivershoreboats.com/category.php?categoryid=1

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: Starcraft jet boat

starcraft did make a jet boat there was one on here let me find the post it was a 454 factory.
Here it is and i want one bad!!!

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=342928

 

[sprintst]

Re: Starcraft jet boat

Sweet...

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: Starcraft jet boat

If you mention The Snake river then you must be aware of Duckworth and Alumaweld boats which offer jets all the time . there is a 21 holiday Jet here in the Mt vernon area I have seen it at the boat launch during Humpy season . It may have came here but surley is close. Ill ask around to see if I can locate the gentelman. Was a real nice set up.

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: Starcraft jet boat

One thing I would verify before making the long trip is what brand of jet is that thing and can you get parts. Something of that age is bound to need some tlc sooner than later.
Also are engine parts readily available.

Yes you do not want to hit rocks with a starcraft, they are not made for river running in rapids where you risk hitting something. They do have minimal draft if you do not have an outdrive hanging down.

 

[fshngho]

Re: Starcraft jet boat

I don't mean to change the subject but, Jim I just looked at the vids and MY GOD do you guys really drive jet boats up rapids like that? If I could survive something like that ( and my boat) I would NEVER worry about weather or bad waves on the lakes around here in Va. In all honesty, do yall think a Starcraft could take water/waves like that? Dale