Sylvan, Starcraft Alum. Boats

[masondr]

I am interested in any feedback/experience with aluminum boats, specifically the Starcraft Islander and the Sylvan Offshore models. My use is saltwater, nearshore and offshore. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[HONKER1]

Re: Sylvan, Starcraft Alum. Boats

I've been working on my 18' starcraft for about a year. The damage from the salt was unbelievable. I purchased the boat from a person that lived on the Oregon coast, but he asured me that he never had it in salt water. Certainly, this little old gentleman wouldn't lie to me. After I started to replace the wood flooring, I discovered the water logged foam, and removed it. The strings were eaten partly through in places, and the only thing protecting the sides was the paint. I replaced the plywood in the transom, and found holes from the salt water that got between the plywood and the aluminum skin. So I am a believer that if you are going to run in saltwater use fiberglass or wood.
I love the Starcraft aluminum boats, because I trailer it around the state, but I keep my saltwater experience to a minimum.
The positive side is, I have become pretty good at soldering aluminum.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Sylvan, Starcraft Alum. Boats

Starcraft will hold up to salt water very well. I have two Friends I meet at Bodega bay and they both have Starcraft islanders. Both have been boating their for over 20 years that I know of and the boats are in great shape. I also have a 1980 21 foot Aluminum Crestliner I use in the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay and people still come up and ask me where I bought the boat. I tell them but let them know have not made my model since 1984 and they never belive it is not new.
Aluminum Trailer boats do great in salt water if when you pull them out you wash then down each time. Out here most salt water ramps have a fresh water wash station. My boat only has a few spot you can see any damage from saltwater. Mostly on my posished aluminum Bow rails. We usually go for a week at a time and spray down the hull at the end of each day. When we get home I wash inside and out side. If you Saltwater bottom fish you know how much stuff bottom fish spit up when you bring them in. I try to keep clean every day but after a week the carpets and insides need washed.

I would suggest if your going to dock it in salt water full time then everything must be set up perfect. For that reason if it is going to stay is salt water go FiberGlass but for the trailer boater Aluminum is great in salt water.

Out here we see lots of aluminum open bow unpainted boats all the way up to the Coast Guards 47 foot boats that replaced the old 36 foot Coast Guard boats. Went for several tours of the CG boats and I always ask how much maintenance and up keep they do on the new 47 foot Aluminum boats. Everyone has said almost none for the hull. Only thing they do is repaint the Coast Guard stripe and Number. The rest of the aluminum hull is unpainted. The 47 Boat is faster than the old 36 foot motor life boat and uses less fuel. Also hull design rides better and then use nothing but the motors and fuel for balast.