1976 Starcraft 14ft but don't know model

[Tideaholic]

I have a 14 ft. Starcraft with no plate or information so I don't know which model. Is there a code in the serial number that would let me know which 14ft. Starcraft I have? From what I have found online so far, it looks like it is a Seafarer 14, it has 3 wide full size seats , 2 chairs and is about 62 inches wide. I don't think it weighs 400 lbs like some models, guessing closer to 200lb. but that is just a guess as I have only moved it a short distance, once. If it's the Seafarer it says 30HP and weighs 200lbs and I worry I need some serious HP to make it move. Thanks

 

[Texasmark]

I rented boats of that sort at marinas when young and powered with my dads 10 hp engine. 10 really won't do much for you unless you are boating alone with minimum gear/fuel/tackle aboard. 15 will pick things up a bit, a 20-25 tiller will get you some performance. Largest engine my boating circle of friends used back in the 50-60s time frame, when that boat was popular and the size was what we used, was a 33 Johnson on a 14' Alumacraft (aluminum semi-V hull) with a steering wheel and remote controls up on the side of the boat.

That boat was a real nice setup if you had a ways to go and fished alone. Moving your body from the engine's tiller up to "mid-ship" helped to get the bow down at lower speeds where tiller steering required you to move your gear toward the front (bow) to keep it down at lower speeds, fishing alone. The other thing on remote steering was that tiller steering and 2 people mean that your companion blocks your vision with the tiller, whereas remote puts you to the side for better visibility.

On the boat weighing 200#, you can pick up the bow of a 200" aluminum 14' boat.....cain't do that on a 400#.

 

[JimS123]

There are utility Seafarers and deluxe Seafarers. The deluxe models have floors and maybe a livewell and some other niceties.

A 200 pound base model will have more than adequate performance with 10 HP. A 15 would be a luxury. A deluxe model at 440 pounds would be most suited to 18 or 25 HP.

I made a lot of memories in my last 14SF.

 

[Tideaholic]

Thanks for the info and the priceless advice. We have not been able to find a plate on the boat and are not sure which model it is. Because it's about 62-63 inches wide, I am guessing it's the Marine Seafarer that weighs 200lb and is rated for a 30hp. It's getting a 15hp and that should do the job. Not all of the specs for some models are in the data base on here so there could be another model I don't know about. I'm not trying to pull skis but maybe some crabbing plus it will be used as a mode of transportation and getting beached a lot.

 

[Tideaholic]

There are utility Seafarers and deluxe Seafarers. The deluxe models have floors and maybe a livewell and some other niceties.

A 200 pound base model will have more than adequate performance with 10 HP. A 15 would be a luxury. A deluxe model at 440 pounds would be most suited to 18 or 25 HP.

I made a lot of memories in my last 14SF.

Thanks. Do you happen to know what the max load rating is, number of people/weight that would be on the plate that is missing on my boat? I've seen one 1976 14ft Starcraft that has 4 people, 150 per person plate but I am not sure what model that boat it is.

 

[JimS123]

My data doesn't go back that far. I only have statistics for a more recent 14' Seafarer. Since it's got a bigger beam, its undoubtedly a newer and updated model. In any event:

model SF1415
Max HP 25
Length 14'3"
Beam 67
Weight 225
Persons Cap 4(555)
Total Cap 920
Inside depth 29"
Transom width 66"

 

[Tideaholic]

Today I was pleasantly surprised when I removed the rotten pieces of plywood and the boat looks in decent shape to me. I wanted to post pics but apparently I don't know how to post pics on here, they won't upload, getting error code.
http://boatspecs.iboats.com/Starcraft_Marine__Seafarer_14__1976/bp/66b87557

 

[Texasmark]

That's a benefit in going with aluminum in older boats. Wooden reinforcing of the transom was the only wood in fishing skiffs and adding a wooden deck, like Starcraft boats to name one was easily replaced if rotted. Unless the boat sat with water in it, the transoms were usually intact. Decks suffered from exposure being left out in the weather and things like forgetting to pull the drain plug and the boat filling with water and sitting for who knows how long. I restored an 18' Starcraft Holiday I/O and the deck (that you walk on) and the transom needed replacing. It was moored in the water, at a marina, neglected, for who knows how long, partially submerged. Course there were severe mechanical problems but those were I/O type problems that wouldn't have been encountered with an OB installation.

 

[Tideaholic]

That's a benefit in going with aluminum in older boats. Wooden reinforcing of the transom was the only wood in fishing skiffs and adding a wooden deck, like Starcraft boats to name one was easily replaced if rotted. Unless the boat sat with water in it, the transoms were usually intact. Decks suffered from exposure being left out in the weather and things like forgetting to pull the drain plug and the boat filling with water and sitting for who knows how long. I restored an 18' Starcraft Holiday I/O and the deck (that you walk on) and the transom needed replacing. It was moored in the water, at a marina, neglected, for who knows how long, partially submerged. Course there were severe mechanical problems but those were I/O type problems that wouldn't have been encountered with an OB installation.

I think this boat was well taken care of the first 25 years. after that, I think it sat a lot. So far, I see one tiny pin hole in the transom where the engine sits. Luckily I don't think there was ever a wood floor installed, Thank God.

 

[Texasmark]

Thanks. Do you happen to know what the max load rating is, number of people/weight that would be on the plate that is missing on my boat? I've seen one 1976 14ft Starcraft that has 4 people, 150 per person plate but I am not sure what model that boat it is.

Go to the BIA official site and you should see the formula for calculating the answer to your question.

 

[Tideaholic]

Go to the BIA official site and you should see the formula for calculating the answer to your question.

I have seen more than one chart, one says 4 people, one says 5. I was hoping to get exact specs and figure out which boat I have. Thanks.....restoration is coming along