Considering 1964 14' Starcraft - What do you think?

[lakelover]

When I was a kid, we had a 1965 Glastron Ski Flite with an Evinrude 33hp and we had a blast with it. So I've been half seriously looking for something that size and style for a while and came across this on Craigslist:

http://albany.craigslist.org/boa/1150116830.html

I emailed some questions to the seller including how it's been stored, floor/transom condition, NY paperwork etc. He's also going to email me photos of the interior.

The seller says it was always stored outside with a tarp, floor is original marine plywood and "will need some patching", and transom was replaced a few years ago & no leaks. Says motor "runs fine", was recently started and will include a manual on CD. All paperwork on the boat and trailer are up to date & transferrable, trailer is road-ready.

I know the motor is ancient and parts may be an issue, but that is less of a concern to me than the boat condition. I will probably be keeping my eye out for a newer motor anyway, no hurry. I'm a very patient and non-impulsive buyer who has no trouble passing on things that aren't right for me. I'm pretty handy and willing to do a certain amount of repair/restoration, but don't want to get into anything major for lack of experience.

I may drive the 40 miles to look it over depending on the photos he sends and other questions I will ask.

Is there anything else you would check out? What do you think overall?

Thanks.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Considering 1964 14' Starcraft - What do you think?

Starcraft is an excellent boat, really the older the better and we have quite the Starcraft presnce here on ibots to help with any problem you might run into.

The motor would worry me, even the most basic parts are probably going to be hard to find but that boat looks pretty nice.

There is no such thing as patching a floor, they are replaced, so if you aren't up to that then pass on it and look the hull over well to be sure there isn't any damage from hitting things in the water.

Looks like a nice boat to consider.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Considering 1964 14' Starcraft - What do you think?

I've read quite a bit lately in the Restoration forum and I know "patching the floor" means I'll have to be careful and decide when I see it. I might be up to replace it, but again, my decision will depend on giving it a good look. I agree that the motor will probably be the big non-issue, I don't expect much in that department. From what I've seen locally and on ebay, the price looks like it's in the ballpark with a little wiggle room. From emailing with the seller, it seems that it was pretty well cared for, and it impressed me that all the paperwork is up to date and in order. I guess the devil is in the details.

It looks in the photos that the tarp has left the bow deck exposed over the years and it looks sun faded.

I've sort of been itching for a boat to tinker with over the last couple years.

 

[capped]

Re: Considering 1964 14' Starcraft - What do you think?

I love the look of those older boats, makes me wish i would have kept the one i had and finished the restore. Hope everything works out for you if you end up getting it.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Considering 1964 14' Starcraft - What do you think?

I didnt catch what they are asking for it, but she looks great...If the age of that outboard is a non issue then dont let replacing the deck stop you.

If you can cut plywood you are 50% there..(Keep the old pieces as a template)..You could have a new deck in one long weekend!

These old Starcrafts are getting harder and harder to find, especially in that condition...Again, it may depend on $$$ they want for her..

 

[Bondo]

Re: Considering 1964 14' Starcraft - What do you think?

Starcraft is an excellent boat, really the older the better

Ayuh,.... And most of the Wood, especially the Deck is pretty Easy to replace...

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Considering 1964 14' Starcraft - What do you think?

That had to be about the biggest and latest West Bend made I dont know when West Bend Motors died but it was not long after that Starcraft was made.

Boat looks OK I hate outside storers but thats neither here nor there, I hope the transom is replaced, done correctly and solid.
This old hoopty Starcraft I have is very solid I am very happy for that and is the reason I bought a boat that needed a motor. The important part (the hull) is in good shape. I gave $500 and have put another $500 into the mechanicals which all seem to work well now and have not missed a beat yet.
I need another $500 into the interior next.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Considering 1964 14' Starcraft - What do you think?

I didnt catch what they are asking for it, but she looks great...If the age of that outboard is a non issue then dont let replacing the deck stop you.

...Again, it may depend on $$$ they want for her..

Asking price is $750.

I looked at a similar one late last summer but passed on it mostly because the hull had a number of small holes in it that had been patched with some sort of putty that wasn't really hard, lots of dings in it and the interior was pretty crummy. It came with a 33hp Evinrude and also a spare Johnson 33 for parts. I got the guy to fill a garbage can with water and I started it after a couple pulls, which surprised me. Since it had sat for sale for a few months, I offered him a lowball of $400 (asking price was $800), but he didn't bite. It sat for months over the spring and summer, was finally gone in the fall. I guess somebody got it.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Considering 1964 14' Starcraft - What do you think?

Here is the info I have on the West Bend motor:

"Model no. 50461 Serial no. 4035. 50 HP OBC certified bhp@4700rpm".

Is anyone familiar with this outboard? Looks like some parts are available here:

http://www.laingsoutboards.com/newp...om 1959, Wizard from1965, Sea King from 1964

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Considering 1964 14' Starcraft - What do you think?

Asking price is $750.

I looked at a similar one late last summer but passed on it mostly because the hull had a number of small holes in it that had been patched with some sort of putty that wasn't really hard, lots of dings in it and the interior was pretty crummy. It came with a 33hp Evinrude and also a spare Johnson 33 for parts. I got the guy to fill a garbage can with water and I started it after a couple pulls, which surprised me. Since it had sat for sale for a few months, I offered him a lowball of $400 (asking price was $800), but he didn't bite. It sat for months over the spring and summer, was finally gone in the fall. I guess somebody got it.

yikes...would have passed entirely on that old deal!
But 750 is not shabby at all...To put it in perspective, I paid 800 and she looked like this..

 

[lakelover]

Re: Considering 1964 14' Starcraft - What do you think?

Here are the photos of the interior & hull - for some reason from the ad I thought it was a fiberglass hull, but I see it's aluminum, which in my mind in a lot of ways is better in terms of longevity & ease of repair. Do you agree that there is great potential here?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Considering 1964 14' Starcraft - What do you think?

2 sheets of 1/2" plywood will redo every inch of that deck.

Just a suggestion.... keep you eye on the VT part of craigslist too. That is where I got my Starcraft. and in reality VT is easy to get to from where you are.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Considering 1964 14' Starcraft - What do you think?

I went and purchased the boat today for $700. I feel I got a good deal, although I'm not real confident in the motor. The hull is in great shape, which is the important thing. Turns out it's 15', not 14. The seller was able to find the mangled, unattached practically illegible capacity plate which has been painted and had trolling motor or kicker clamps screwed down on it at some time or other. Max HP capacity listed is 45hp. Glad I got that, it might help me at DMV without a HIN #.

I'm going to post photos over on the Restoration board and will update as I gradually work on it.

Thanks for all the opinions and thoughts!

 

[JoLin]

Re: Considering 1964 14' Starcraft - What do you think?

Is the motor in fact running okay at present? If it is, my advice would be to sell it quick while it's still operating!

Put it on Craigslist, put it on eBay. That motor is rare and somebody out there is looking for it as a novelty for some old boat. From a day-in, day-out usability perspective, however, your days are definitely numbered.

Sell it to a collector and put the money toward a newer motor.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Considering 1964 14' Starcraft - What do you think?

Is the motor in fact running okay at present? If it is, my advice would be to sell it quick while it's still operating!

Put it on Craigslist, put it on eBay. That motor is rare and somebody out there is looking for it as a novelty for some old boat. From a day-in, day-out usability perspective, however, your days are definitely numbered.

Sell it to a collector and put the money toward a newer motor.

That's probably good advice. I want to run it in a barrel in the next few days and see what's what. In the meantime I'll research what it might go for. I can picture it with a nice redone interior and a new 40 hp.....

The seller started it for me (dry). I asked him when he last changed the impeller and he said "never". I think he thought I said "propeller".

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Considering 1964 14' Starcraft - What do you think?

Another SC owner..
man we rock!

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Considering 1964 14' Starcraft - What do you think?

Put an ad in the free classifieds at www.aomci.org and see if some of the antique outboard guys up your way bite for that West Bend...there are lots of chapters up in the northeast. Spring/summer swap meets coming up...a good way to repower that new troy with a vintage, running motor.