trying to find the model for a 1975? 18' open bow

[ab59]

I am about to buy a 1975? Starcraft Aluminum Friday. It is supposed to be 18,' and is an open bow. I can't seem to find a SS at 18' for that year. Was there another 18' open bow being made in 1975? Not positive that the year claimed by the PO is correct although they said that they have owned the boat for the last 18 years. Just trying to find out what I'm going to be dealing with. Has a blown Evinrude on it as well.

 

[jbcurt00]

Confirm the HIN, if its a 1975, it'll have 1.

Then w length figure the model

 

[matt167]

If it's 18', it's one of 2 models. A SS 18, or an Offshore V 18. The hull and deadrise is set for rougher water on an Offshore, but they didn't make them very long. '69-'72 I think, and the SS18 was being made along side of them

 

[ab59]

Thanks for your responses. I won't get my hands on the boat until Friday so my ability to get information directly from the boat is nil for now. I looked up the 1975 models of Starcraft but did not see an 18' open bow anywhere so I thought I'd ask those with higher knowledge if they knew. Guess I'll have to wait till Friday to figure it out. The last SS I restored had a bad transom that I thought was solid till it leaked. Is there a sure way to tell if the transom is rotting or rotten for sure? My last one was only really bad around the bottom and the keyhole, as it was a sterndrive. This one runs an outboard and it looks to be a little more involved to get a transom out for replacement so if It's bad I would like to get the boat a little cheaper. it's at 700 right now.

 

[matt167]

You can look under the splash well, and at the knee braces to see if they are cracked. Pull the end caps, screws and rivits from the splash well/ transom attachments and it will lift out. Not a big deal on an Outboard SC. I have to do mine next year, or rather I'm doing it as PM next year. $700 would be a steal for a boat like that if it's not cracked, corroded or patched up too bad, providing the trailer and the motor are in good shape

 

[ab59]

I went and got the boat Saturday and it is a 1975 SS. The old 140 hp Evinrude has lost compression in the lower two cylinders. 140 hp is just too much for this 18' boat anyway. Hope he didn't destroy the knee braces by running it for the last 16 years. Thanks for your responses.

 

[Alumarine]

I thought they were rated for a 140?

 

[ab59]

I thought they were rated for a 140?

Not sure. I can't seem to navigate this new site set up to find the specs!! I had thought that 115 was the max for this length model. Haven't located a plate for the specs in the boat as well . Hope you're right though. From other posts, I'm almost thinking that the knee braces will be cracked when I inspect them no matter what motor was on it but I'll see soon enough.

 

[ab59]

Well, for those others who might like to know, this boat is rated for up to 150 hp!!!! Guess I had nothing to be concerned about. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[DLNorth]

Did you find the rating plate?

 

[ab59]

Did you find the rating plate?

Howdy, yep, it was on the gunnel up where the controls are. I had looked down near the deck is, like my last SS but did not see the plate up on the gunnel. Tunnel vision I guess.