Buying first boat

[Bergy37]

Hello all. Been lurking on the site for a while and finally joined since I am looking to buy my first boat. I've been searching ads in my area for some time and I believe if all my questions are answered by the seller, I may have found a decent deal. I've been looking at this boat on craigslist- http://westernmass.craigslist.org/boa/2975450770.html. I sent the seller an email with a few questions regarding the boat, such as hull number, working condition, and asked to see it in person. I have a few questions for the knowledgable folks here if anyone has the time to help.
Is that really a 1984? I've been up and down google and can't find anything that looks similar from that year. If I check the boat out, run it, and all is good, would it be a good buy? I'm not sure of Starcraft's track record during this year, but I see alot of folks are fond of the larger models in this age range.
Well, thanks in advance for any info you might be able to share, and thanks for the great pool of information provided here.

Dave

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Buying first boat

Hi Dave:

Welcome to iBoats.

At $500 for boat, motor and trailer, if all is in working condition, it would be hard to go wrong.

The motor looks 1970's vintage. Those Evinrude 33's were very popular 'back in the day'. Lots of folks around my waters had them on 13 foot Boston whaler's. Nothing but fun.

So, definitely have the seller dunk it in the water for you and take you for a ride. Check for leaks in the hull, make sure the engine is running OK, and the trailer is at least usable. Some minor work would not be a show stopper at that price.

Make sure you get proper Massachusetts Title to boat and trailer from the seller.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Buying first boat

I'm guessing that motor is from the mid sixties. If it runs, it's worth $500. But if it doesn't, don't plan on getting it fixed; as a new boat owner you need something that runs well.
For $500 you probably won't get a test run. why would the seller bother? But you do get to start it on muffs in the driveway. No start, no buy. If it's been sitting for a year or so bring your own gas/oil and jumper cables.
Some sellers might give you a couple days to test run it for major problems. motor problems don't show up in the driveway. He might meet you at the ramp if you pay him the $500 first; he keeps it unless there is a major malfunction.

for that price, all I'd care about it whether the trailer will get home, the transom is solid (no flex at all when you put all your weight on the motor) and the motor runs. And the title--that is crucial.

 

[drrpm]

Re: Buying first boat

That's a tiny boat, don't plan on bringing more than a friend or 2. If you really think it will meet your needs and it runs and floats, it would be hard to go wrong for $500.

 

[Pony]

Re: Buying first boat

Definately an early 60's motor. I have run with the 18hp version of that motor in the past, and if it is running right they are really nice little motors. Being new to boats the problem with something that old, is that most marine mechanics won't touch them. They are easy to work on with basic tools and a service manual if you are mechanically inclined.

BTW you can't run that motor on muffs......will need a bucket or trash can for that one. I would be willing to bet that boat has been in the elements for awile. You will really want to look for cracks in the fiberglass and check for transom flex. IMO that boat could have a lot of hidden issues and may be too much for a first time boater. I would be looking for something aluminum to play around with.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Buying first boat

good points, Pony, and I forgot about the no-muff thing. For about the same money a new boater would be better off in a 14' jon with a 20 HP +/-. The coolness of the boat caught my eye; at 12' and closed bow it's not much boat.

 

[CoffeeHound]

Re: Buying first boat

If you get this boat ,, what are your plans for it ?? Family fun boat ,,, fishing boat ..tow boat ?
2 out of 3 options are not a bad choice but dont see it being much of a tow boat !
Love the style ,, love the engine and think you have an eye for a good first boat .
If motor runs and trailer tows -- take the little lady home !!

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Buying first boat

Is that really a 1984? I've been up and down google and can't find anything that looks similar from that year.

I'll qualify my statement by saying that I don't know Starcraft boats very well. However, I'd dress in a chicken suit if that's a 1984 model. I'd guess that's more like a 1964 model. The one piece curved windshield is the give-away. That was a very popular style back in the day, and in my opinion, those are very cool boats. However, I thought they moved away from that in the 70s, certainly by the 1980s. None of that should scare you off. I actually own an old 1970s Starcraft 12' boat. I don't have a windshield but the point is that as long as the transom is in good shape, it floats, and doesn't leak too much, I'd have no problem buying a boat like that.

In fact, if I lived on the east coast I'd buy that setup for $500, especially if the motor runs. For reference, the boat I bought was $300 without motor or trailer.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Buying first boat

As luck would have it, there is a thread in the General Boating area called Classic Boats - 20yrs or older....or something like that. There are many good examples of 1960s and 70s boats. You'll see that those curved windshields don't seem to go past the 1960s. In fact, on page 7 there is a 64 Starcraft Bahama that looks similar to the one you are looking at. Hopefully this thread gives you the courage to buy that boat and make it look pretty:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=505780&page=7

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Buying first boat

if that hull and motor are the same year, you may have an original package, and something better restored than used as a beater boat. No you won't make money doing that, you will put more in that it's worth (if you price out your time) but you get great satisfaction and admiration of the guys on the lake.

Original seats? condition OK?

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Buying first boat

If the seller told you that boat is an '84 (its not), that tells me he probably has no paperwork for it either - ie. no transferable registration or title (I doubt mass titles boats that old, but either way). If he has no paperwork for it, its not worth one cent more then whatever the motor is worth.

Also note, the boat is wearing mississippi registration numbers in the ad pictures...

Ask him if he has documentation for the boat and trailer.

 

[Bergy37]

Re: Buying first boat

Wow, thanks for all the quick responses. Seller hasn't responded yet, so I'm not yet sure on title and interior condition. I'm looking for a boat to fish with my father roughly 2 days/week and take my wife and 2 young children(4 and 5yrs.) out for leisure and teaching them to fish a couple days. Looking more at that boat, it does look kinda small for my needs but the price is good.
I've been looking around and have 2 other options to look at. One is a basic 12' Jon boat that comes with a pair of snap in swivel seats, but I'd prefer something more comfortable for the kids. The other is a 1971 Glastron I found on ebay. Here's the listing:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/71-glastron-/261007500556?pt=Power_Motorboats&hash=item3cc542650c If everything is as the lister says, this could be a good option considering it's 16' and may only need new carpeting. Let me know what you think, and thanks again for the input. I appreciate all the help.

 

[Gamecatcher]

Re: Buying first boat

First, welcome to boating!

Being a boat owner on and off since I was 16, I know one thing. You get what you pay for. Looks like you are shopping around for a boat that is inexpensive. That translates into repairs and expensive maintenance ... usually. Boat parts are more expensive than car parts and less expensive that airplane parts ... usually.

Unless your goal is to do a restoration project involving big $, I would be inclined to shy away from these older boats. Look for an aluminum boat with a solid motor. Spend a little more. If you can't afford it now, sock it away until you can. (Fixing hulls on aluminum boats can be done by most people with little skill).

Get something reliable, but maybe not as big. I am afraid you may get in over your head if your budget is that low. You will wind up with a "problem child" on your hands. A boat that doesn't run, or isn't reliable enough to get out of sight of the boat dock.

A $500 boat will usually cost you close to 3x to 4x or more in the end. There are exceptions, but far between when it comes to this kind of thing.

Good luck

 

[Mikeyboy]

Re: Buying first boat

Bergy looking at the eBay post I would say RUN! It looks like its been sitting outdoors uncovered for years and I would put money that it is rotten. Also if all it needed was a starter that the seller has why wouldn't he spend an hour to put it in and sell it for more. My spidey senses are really tingling on that one.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Buying first boat

Also if all it needed was a starter that the seller has why wouldn't he spend an hour to put it in and sell it for more. My spidey senses are really tingling on that one.

Agree, classic ebay/craigslist line "I have the part but have no time to put it on, it will work as soon as you install X, blah blah blah, etc". A starter on an outboard of that vintage takes all of 15 minutes to install. If that's all it needed, the seller would do it.

Boats full of leaves and carp that are sitting outside uncovered are unlikely to be well cared for otherwise - its been treated like junk and it probably is.

 

[Bergy37]

Re: Buying first boat

Bergy looking at the eBay post I would say RUN! It looks like its been sitting outdoors uncovered for years and I would put money that it is rotten. Also if all it needed was a starter that the seller has why wouldn't he spend an hour to put it in and sell it for more. My spidey senses are really tingling on that one.

It's funny..common sense told me that if there's so much moisture damage on the floor, the rest can't be so hot. Of course the kid in me that spent every summer on Champlain was saying "get it and go!" Lol. I was really hoping to find that diamond in the rough at a low cost and make a minimal investment to enjoy it.
After reading on here for the last few hours(I love research), it looks like an aluminum is the best way to get started. At least this way any damage is visible. When my financial situation improves, then I'll worry about the ideal family rig.
So now I have more questions.. What size would be recommended for up to 4 people(2 adults, 2 kids). I've been looking at Jon boats, but they have really low weight capacities. I'm looking at an older 12 footer, but can't find an info decal on it. I have a mid 80's 6hp johnson and a Minn kota electric ready to go, so I can cut costs there. My other question, is it likely to find something like a sea nymph that'll meet my criteria for less than $800? Thanks again for the help so far and helping me get more realistic about my expectations.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Buying first boat

For fishing and your budget, you really can't beat a 14' aluminum boat. You know, the kind that has four metal benches. Often those come with oars so you can sneak up on the fish without firing the motor. That would be the perfect boat to compliment your 6hp Johnson. You can easily find something in that $500-$1000 range if you already have the motor. There's rarely a thing to fix on these boats because there are no wood floors or other things that break. Often it might just be a rivet that pops and needs fixing.

The big problem comes with Mrs. Bergy37. What is she expecting for the "leisure" cruises you mentioned? Most wives want comfort, padded seats, room to walk, stability, etc. So her needs may not be compatible with the 14' tin boat. However, IMO it's the perfect starter boat for you and the family and/or you and your dad to go fishing. Of course, this all depends on the size of lakes/rivers you plan to fish. Bigger waters require bigger boats.

As your kids age and your boating knowledge increases, you may decide to upgrade but at least with a 14' tin boat you won't have much invested at the outset and won't feel terrible if you twist the boat/trailer around a stop sign as you're learning the ins-and-outs of boat loading/launching/trailering.

 

[Bergy37]

Re: Buying first boat

That's the other side of it. The wife wants a couch on the water. I can't quite convince her that it's going to be out of budget to make it worthwhile, but I'm working on it. I'll be out on large ponds and small lakes, nothing where stability is a factor. As far as boat experience, I've spent the majority of 26 summers on several different boats. I've driven, launched, and docked a variety of boats from a 6' Jon to a 31' sea ray. Never had to do any type of maintenance though. Unfortunately, I haven't been on one in about 10 years. That's why I'm so driven to get one, it's an ache I need to cure.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: Buying first boat

uuuuuuuuuuummmm........gettin a boat will cure you of lots of things

 

[Mikeyboy]

Re: Buying first boat

A 14' aluminum boat sounds like it would be the way to go for you to start with. My buddy has one and we just non permanently installed some padded seats on the bench seats and made it a lot more comfortable. Was cheap to do and only took an hour, so that might help the misses.