thinking about a 2007 starcraft

[Jittery Joe]

Hi everybody,

I'm new to the site and hopefully soon to be new to the boating world! I found a 2007 Starcraft 1700 Limited FNS. They are asking $10,500 for the boat, trailer, bikini top, GPS, depth finder and a few other goodies. This is right at the NADA quote so I feel it's a fair price, I'm just unsure as to whether or not the boat is right on, OR, for the money, is there a better Older boat out there. This one does have a warranty though which is a big piece of mind. It has the Mercury 3.0 I/O motor which I'm teetering on. My kids are young but as they get older, they might want to go faster for things such as wake boarding. I found an older Mastercraft ski boat for the same price but the hours are kind of high and it has a V8 which would suck down the gas.

I read the sticky on "which boat is right for me" which was really good info. I don't really want to spend $10k on something that I'll just want sell next year for say something faster, but I also don't want to start out cheaper and older and be unhappy from the start.

I guess first off, does anybody know anything about this boat or can you speak for the power of this motor? I'm thinking the 4.3 would be optimal but I can't find one. And second, if it is in pristine condition, it just a great deal on a first boat. Thanks!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: thinking about a 2007 starcraft

A lot of people on here trash the 3.0. But in a 17' boat it is more than adequate. My uncle has one in a SeaRay 175 that he has used HARD since it was new in 1995 for pretty much NOTHING but watersports and it's been great and is still going great. Now if we were talking a 19' boat I'd say 4.3 minimum.

With the options and assuming it's in immaculate condition I'd say $10k is a fair price for that boat.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: thinking about a 2007 starcraft

I have a 3.0 in my 19' boat... Full load this last weekend I get 41.5 mph, and it sips da gas... I have not got into water sports yet, but I think with my prop and smart tabs it should be fine... Wish it had a 4.3 or V8, but that gonna be my next boat... Startcraft's are great boats, and if in excellent condition price seems fair..

 

[Jittery Joe]

Re: thinking about a 2007 starcraft

Thanks for the replies! I'm completely on the fence on this. I spoke to a buddy of mine who used to sell boats for Marine Max and he told me Starcraft was "the bottom of the barrel" I thought it was a good make? He said go with Searay. Is that like me telling a Lexus dealer I'm thinking about a VW? Thats kinda the vibe I git from that conversation....

 

[ezmobee]

Re: thinking about a 2007 starcraft

I wouldn't agree with that at all. Starcraft isn't a premium brand but they are far from the bottom. SeaRays are nice but I don't find their smaller boats to be anything special.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: thinking about a 2007 starcraft

Joe.... Welcome to iboats.

VW vs Lexus? To tell you the truth the VW will outlast the lexus if it is maintained and the lexus is ignored. You really can not compare high end vs anything without considering maintenance. i.e. Cobalts are manufactured now with epoxy and no wood.... it all boils down to maintenance/upkeep.

The 3.0 L is a great motor. It sips gas and have been refined to the point where they run like clocks BUT all boats and motors require maintenance.

Bayliner as an example has made leaps in their building process and if you ask any new 175 owner how the performance is and you will be shocked.

Starcraft is a good level boat and a company that is still in business very strong. Interesting that your "friend" would steer you into a direction to spend twice the bucks for a boat!

It all boils down to how was the boat maintained. A 2007 Starcraft that was properly maintained and well cared for is absolutely better than ANY other boat that has been neglected and abused...... then cleaned up to "look" pretty by the sales department.

 

[Jittery Joe]

Re: thinking about a 2007 starcraft

Thanks a lot guys! Before that conversation I had only heard positive comments regarding Starcraft. From what I can tell via pictures and email conversations, the boat is immaculate. The guy who owns it is retired and acts as if he took really good care of it. I'm going to go take a ride on it this weekend hopefully. Bob, thats for the detailed comparison. That put a nice prospective on it for me.

This forum is really great. I've already learned a lot by reading up on some of the posts. If all goes well, I'll be on here a lot more! Thanks again. I hope you all have a great weekend!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: thinking about a 2007 starcraft

Good luck.

Ask about the impellar, lower unit oil changes, engine oil changes..... ask about where and how it has been stored too. Out in the weather??

 

[rrhodes]

Re: thinking about a 2007 starcraft

Thanks for the replies! I'm completely on the fence on this. I spoke to a buddy of mine who used to sell boats for Marine Max and he told me Starcraft was "the bottom of the barrel" I thought it was a good make? He said go with Searay. Is that like me telling a Lexus dealer I'm thinking about a VW? Thats kinda the vibe I git from that conversation....

Selling boats does not make him an expert my any means. IMO Sales people know a little bit about the products they sell and nothing about the ones they don't.

Even in the IT field sales guys make promises that the Engineers tell you are not possible later. Good luck and I am sure you will enjoy the StarCraft if that is the boat you buy.

 

[rp23g7]

Re: thinking about a 2007 starcraft

I just bought a used 2003 Starcraft C Star 17, It has a 3.0/Alpha in it. Its a little hot rod, i have had 2 20' Bayliners with 3.0s in them. You figure cutting out 3 feet of fiberglass is about 500lbs or so.

We do a lot of tubbing and skiing, you give the starcraft full throttle and it gets up and planes without thinking. The two Bayliners bogged along for a bit before planing with two people on a tube.