18ft Starcraft Mariner cc help needed!

mpm87 · Nov 13, 2011

Hello all,

I am new to the iBoats website, and really am impressed by the wealth of knowledge on this site. I recently boat a 1987 18ft Starcraft Mariner center console aluminum boat. Some parts of the floor are soft and it only came with two 6 gallon gas cans under the seat. I was wondering if anyone could tell me: 1) How hard is it to replace the floor, and 2) What would be the largest size gas tank I could put under the deck once I replace the floor? Any help is greatly appreciated!

GA_Boater · Nov 13, 2011

Re: 18ft Starcraft Mariner cc help needed!

mpm, Welcome aboard. You will get better response in the Starcraft forum. Those guys are tinny specialists. Here is the LINK. Just post a new thread there. A few Mariners have been re-built. I haven't started my Starcraft re-build yet but I read all the posts there.

jasoutside · Nov 14, 2011

Re: 18ft Starcraft Mariner cc help needed!

Welcome mpm!

If you click on the "Starcrafts Rebuilds" link in my signature you'll see a whole ton of projects with deck replacement jobs. I's say reading through a bunch of those is probably the best way to "see" what kind of job you are in for.

For your tank...

If you have money growing on trees at your place you can have a custom made tank built to hold as much as you want. If you are a bottom feeder like me you'll need to make due with what you have fitting tanks where you can.

FYI: there isn't a whole lot of room sub deck on your rig there.

Welcome

Huron Angler · Nov 14, 2011

Re: 18ft Starcraft Mariner cc help needed!

It's pretty tough to find a belly tank that will fit between the stringers and not have fittings stick up too high. I think guys have scoured high and low and come to that conclusion.

An option to consider is an above-deck tank, maybe under a bench or the splashwell.

Welcome aboard, good luck with your project

mpm87 · Nov 14, 2011

Re: 18ft Starcraft Mariner cc help needed!

Thanks for replying jasoutside & GA_Boater, it is greatly appreciated!

Jasoutside, you said I might have to go custom with my gas tank, I have a couple of questions because I really didn't see much on the site as far as fuel tank replacement goes for this 18' Staercraft Mariner.
1) How much around are we talking for a custom 20gallon tank?
2) How big would I be able to fit without going custom right now?

Thanks again!

Teamster · Nov 14, 2011

Re: 18ft Starcraft Mariner cc help needed!

Chances are that once you figure out how much room yous have below deck you'll be able to find many suitable tanks in varying sizes,..

jasoutside · Nov 14, 2011

Re: 18ft Starcraft Mariner cc help needed!

I couldn't tell ya what a custom 20 gal tank would cost, $250ish I suppose??? All depends on the fab guy, eh.

My guess is if you can find one shallow enough to fit below deck and skinny enough to fit between the stringers you'd be in the 18 to 22 gal range maybe?

I'm thinking EZ might be able to give ya more info as I know he was on the hunt for a sub deck tank for a while. Take a look at Michael P's Chieftain project, he has one sub deck.

Have fun!

ezmobee · Nov 14, 2011

Re: 18ft Starcraft Mariner cc help needed!

Here's a link to all of Moeller's tanks. Iboats stocks (or can probably get) most of them http://www.moellermarine.com/aftermarket/fuel_storage_tanks/permanent_tanks/

mpm87 · Nov 15, 2011

Re: 18ft Starcraft Mariner cc help needed!

Ezmobee,

Thanks for the information. I apologize for hijacking the other thread, no harm was intended. After I started the first one, I noticed that there was one out there more specifically for fuel tanks, so I thought I would try to get a better answer. Chalk it up as me being a newbie! I haven't ripped apart my floor yet because I just bought the boat, but it seems that all the projects for the Starcraft Mariner are either bigger than my 18' cc, or are older (1970's) than my 1987. Could you point me to something a little more comparable? Thanks for your expertise

ezmobee · Nov 15, 2011

Re: 18ft Starcraft Mariner cc help needed!

No problem mpm. All of us moderators do realize that we operate differently than most other internet forums in that regard.

Any of the 18' Starcrafts should be pretty much the same hull (including my SS project). If you haven't already, check out the list of Starcraft projects at the top of the Starcraft forum here. http://forums.iboats.com/Starcraft_Boats

Starman8 · Nov 15, 2011

Re: 18ft Starcraft Mariner cc help needed!

The desire to put a Perm tank below deck is understandable, but you can also mount one under the splashwell as that area is basically reserved for it with these models.

ezmobee · Nov 15, 2011

mpm87 · Nov 15, 2011

Re: 18ft Starcraft Mariner cc help needed!

Wow!
Thanks for all the ideas guys! I especially thank ezmobee for the pictures, you did a great job there. You guys really know how to put a newbie's mind at ease. I was quite worried about the floor, but looking at all the documented projects on iboats, I feel a little more confident especially when it comes to my options with the fuel tank. I plan to hopefully start this project sometime this winter in my garage so hopefully it will be ready by springtime. I will definitely take pictures and provide updates as I go along. Thanks for everything guys, I'll keep you posted!- mpm

spanish armada · Feb 27, 2012

Re: 18ft Starcraft Mariner cc help needed!

Hey...I too am new to iboats in addition to being a boat owner. Over the weekend, I purchased my first boat, a 18' CC mariner. Hope to wrench on it over March to make it water/fishing ready for spring break. My goal is to get much time in the boat with the family (wife and 9 and 5 year old boys).

jasoutside · Feb 27, 2012

Re: 18ft Starcraft Mariner cc help needed!

Howdy SA and welcome to iboats!

Great looking rig you scored there! Be sure to start up a thread when you get rolling on your project

kfa4303 · Feb 27, 2012

Re: 18ft Starcraft Mariner cc help needed!

Greetings from Tallahassee. Sorry the race got rained out down there. Great new toy you got there. You're in the right place. Keep us posted on your progress. Wed love pics. Welcome aboard.

I Fish · Feb 27, 2012

Re: 18ft Starcraft Mariner cc help needed!

Check Ebay for a used tank, there's a bunch of them. I've got an 86 Sylvan Rodmaster center console which is basically the same boat as yours. My old tank was under the splashwell, and can I say space hog? It baffles me why they didn't put it in the floor at the factory to start with. I have 22 inches between the 4 inch high stingers, and 8 inches of total depth. I found several different tanks to fit, but went with one that's 60 inches long and 28 gallons. The best price I found for a custom aluminum tank was over $600. I got the used one for $320, including shipping, from Green Bay Prop.

mpm87 · Mar 5, 2012

Re: 18ft Starcraft Mariner cc help needed!

I Fish,
Thanks for the info about Green Bay Prop, it's always nice to have options! I have my eye on a 28 gallon Moeller, but I'm just worried if the fill neck will be far enough under the splashwell to where it won't be a problem with the floor. I just Gluvit'ed all the seams and rivets so I'll be putting the stringers in soon and then I'll know exactly how much room I'll have. Once I have some extra time I will try to figure out how to post some pictures of what I've done so far. Thanks again for the info, it is greatly appreciated!

starcrazy · Mar 6, 2012

Re: 18ft Starcraft Mariner cc help needed!

Mpm87

I will also be starting my first rebuild, a 18' Mariner CC. I must be crazy becasue I already purchased a NEW motor for it and the boat isn't even close to being ready for the motor. The motor will be at the dealer ship until the boat is ready for it. So you could say I have some motivation now. The boat is stripped, but currently just waiting for the weather to warm up so I can start the rebuild. I am going to be looking into placing the gas tank below the floor as well. It will be a Moeller, but closer to a 20 gallon. The new motor shouldn't be using that much gas, and I don't plan on many large trips, but several small one's.

Wayne

18ft Starcraft Mariner cc help needed!

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