Where to find a solid boat

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BB222

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Jun 22, 2020
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Hi Team,
Last year I sold a 21' islander which was too big for where I wanted to use it. It was a great boat though, extremely clean and cool vintage look (pic attached just for fun). I am thinking a 16' 1970s super sport with an outboard would be perfect. I've built 2 boats before so I know how much work can go into a restoration or modification. I would really like to find something that is mostly ready to go. That leads to my question: Compared to the past there seems to be fewer boats on craigslist. There is little to nothing like this on boat trader anymore. Where should I look to find a clean 15 to 16' old starcraft these days?

Let me know your ideas.
Thanks!
Ben
IMG_20200825_115307 (1).jpg
 
Scott Danforth

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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49,403
You may have to wait until fall, or when the market returns to sanity
 
D

DLNorth

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May 26, 2016
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It all depends on where you are located - a quick check brings up a nice SS 16 in Hayward, Wis - an '86 that has been sitting for a while.
 
B

BB222

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Jun 22, 2020
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BWR1953 said:
I've had more success on Facebook Marketplace than on craigslist.
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Thanks guys! I'll have to look into Facebook on more. I'm not a big facebook user so I didn't even think of it. I've always like craiglist and using the craiglist tempest to search.
 
B

BB222

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Messages
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DLNorth said:
It all depends on where you are located - a quick check brings up a nice SS 16 in Hayward, Wis - an '86 that has been sitting for a while.
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I saw that one! I mapped out how far and it is an 11hr drive from where I am in Ann arbor Michigan. 🙁

Thanks for the heads-up.
 
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DLNorth

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May 26, 2016
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432
Ya, it would be nice to find one closer, thou that one is nice.
And, 11 hours isn't so bad, I lived for a year in Sterling Hts MI, and drove home (MPLS) every 4-5 weeks, about 11 hrs door to door.
 
BWR1953

BWR1953

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DLNorth said:
Ya, it would be nice to find one closer, thou that one is nice.
And, 11 hours isn't so bad, I lived for a year in Sterling Hts MI, and drove home (MPLS) every 4-5 weeks, about 11 hrs door to door.
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When I was on the hunt for a Chieftain, I looked near and far. I saw one 500 miles north of me, made arrangements with the seller and surprised my wife and boy with a weekend trip. And I've never regretted that decision. They both loved the trip and the Chieftain.

The heart wants what the heart wants. :cool:
 
A

airshot

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Jul 22, 2008
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I hear ya, just down graded myself from a 1983 Islander, 3.0 140 hp, nice boat but getting to big for this old man to wrestle around. I wanted a 16' side console just to do some fishing with.. Looked for months...keot expanding my search area until I found what I wanted...yep three hours away. Previous owner was very helpfull with pics and numerous phone conversations. Nice boat, well worth the drive !!!
 
B

BB222

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Joined
Jun 22, 2020
Messages
8
airshot said:
I hear ya, just down graded myself from a 1983 Islander, 3.0 140 hp, nice boat but getting to big for this old man to wrestle around. I wanted a 16' side console just to do some fishing with.. Looked for months...keot expanding my search area until I found what I wanted...yep three hours away. Previous owner was very helpfull with pics and numerous phone conversations. Nice boat, well worth the drive !!!
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Nice, Thanks airshot! I have been looking through facebook now (thanks watermann and BWR1953).
Here are a few prospects I'm checking out: Let me know any thoughts- Which one is the winner?

1970 supersport

1970s Jupiter or?

1974 Supersport

1972 Jupiter

1977 Holiday 14
 
D

DLNorth

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432
Seems like the 1st thing you need to decide is what style hull you want, ie, a semi vee, (flat at the back) or the typical Starcraft "gullwing" full vee.
I can tell you from experience, the semi-vee rides a lot rougher the the full vee.

The other thing is how large a boat are you wanting, I've been in a 14, 16 and 18 Starcraft vees, and there are large differences between each step.
 
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airshot

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Jul 22, 2008
Messages
5,042
Yep, no one can make that call but you.....what all are you using it for??? In my case just fishing and a little running / playing. Mostly by myself, thus the reason for downsizing.. Nice looking boats...they would be a tough choice!!! My concern is how the motors check out...that could be the expensive part....
 
B

BB222

Cadet
Joined
Jun 22, 2020
Messages
8
DLNorth said:
Seems like the 1st thing you need to decide is what style hull you want, ie, a semi vee, (flat at the back) or the typical Starcraft "gullwing" full vee.
I can tell you from experience, the semi-vee rides a lot rougher the the full vee.

The other thing is how large a boat are you wanting, I've been in a 14, 16 and 18 Starcraft vees, and there are large differences between each step.
Click to expand...
I'm pretty well decided on a 15 or 16' boat to fit in the garage. I need to learn which hulls are Deep vs semi vee. If there is a resource
airshot said:
Yep, no one can make that call but you.....what all are you using it for??? In my case just fishing and a little running / playing. Mostly by myself, thus the reason for downsizing.. Nice looking boats...they would be a tough choice!!! My concern is how the motors check out...that could be the expensive part....
Click to expand...
Thanks for the ideas. I will probably use it in small inland lakes in Michigan. I would like to be able to go to Lake St. Clair on a really nice day. That said a vee hull would be preferred. I am pretty well decided that a 15 or 16 foot boat is what I want so It can fit in the garage. I found the old 70's brochures. It looks like there was no 16 foot V5. That would have been perfect. Otherwise I guess a 16 foot super-sport or Holiday.

There are a couple of nice Jupiters but I think those are pretty flat/ semi-vee. If there is a better info source on these old models and hull types let me know. I have just been finding random 70s sales brochures. Thanks everyone
 
S

ShoestringMariner

Lieutenant Commander
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Apr 18, 2015
Messages
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One of those 16’ Supers would fit the bill for you. Stable, tough boats. Watch for corroded rivets and soft floors at the splashwell, seat mounting areas and between helms
 
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