Old Boat Opportunity

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mrfizban

Seaman
Joined
Nov 17, 2004
Messages
62
Hey guys. I've got the opportunity to get a 1989 Starcraft SS180 with an 80HP Merc O/B. The thing has been sitting outside for a couple years without being used and needs to be cleaned up, but he did just replace the battery and got it running for me. He's basically going to give it to me for a couple thousand bucks and the NADA blue book is around $3,000, so it is a good deal financially. I'm looking for an inexpensive bowrider to take my family around on the local lakes and rivers on nice summer days, and may even consider an occasional fishing trip, so this boat appears to meet many criteria at an inexpensive price. Can anybody give me some advice so I know what I'm getting into before I make the deal? I noticed it is an aluminum hull instead of fiberglass. Is that hurt performance? Should I expect an expensive motor repair in the near future? Can these things dry rot? Or am I just being over-cautious? What do you think? Thanks.
 
T

tonyscj5

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 8, 2003
Messages
116
Re: Old Boat Opportunity

never over catious. We need more info. Alawys give a potential new boat a good once over. Boats even more so then cars probably can hide many can o worms types of problems. No dry rot wont be a problem on an aluminum hull boat. Check to see if everything works well. Take it out on the water for a day and make sure all is cool. Go forward reverse sideways fast slow WOT cruise...... Test it, because boat repairs aint cheap. Check the compresionon of the engine, all should be close to each other. Check the prop, check the skeg, major damage can cause other problems. Just use common sense you will do fine with it, especially if your getting it under book price. But if it needs cleaning up, I kind of doubt you are getting it at below book price. An 89 listing for 3K and still needing clean up???????????????????<br /><br /><br />TF
 
roscoe

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,763
Re: Old Boat Opportunity

Make sure the water pump is working BEFORE you take it out for the test drive.<br /><br />Inspect lower unit lube for water intrusion and or metal shavings.<br /><br />Expect to spend $100 - $300 to get the motor up to date.<br />Lube, fuel pump and filter, plugs, manual, carb rebuild, and water pump. <br /><br />Expect to pay alot more if something is wrong with it.<br /><br />Pay a mechanic to check it out and test drive it BEFORE you make a deal.
 
Bondo

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,145
Re: Old Boat Opportunity

He's basically going to give it to me for a couple thousand bucks and the NADA blue book is around $3,000,
Click to expand...
That boat in My neighborhood is a $500./$1500. boat,.. If it's on a Trailer........<br />I've got a 1989 Starcraft SS180 sitting in My driveway that was Given to Me,... Free....<br /><br />Check All the wood in the boat..... I'm guessing that the floors are probably Rotted.......
 
S

salty87

Commander
Joined
Aug 12, 2003
Messages
2,327
Re: Old Boat Opportunity

been sitting outside a couple of years, just got new battery, just got started....these are all dead giveaways that all sorts of things might need replacing sometime soon since they haven't been used in a while.<br /><br />be careful, this could be a good deal for the seller too. remember, he knows more about it than you.<br /><br />be choosey, doesn't sound like he's in a hurry to sell.
 
S

Solittle

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Apr 28, 2002
Messages
7,518
Re: Old Boat Opportunity

Lets see - - $3K for a 16 year old rig with a questionable motor - - hmmmmmm - - - forget NADA - - sight unseen I'm thinkin maybe $2K at the outside assuming a pro checks the motor and it has a sound traioler.
 
gewf631

gewf631

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 4, 2003
Messages
489
Re: Old Boat Opportunity

I've got a '77 Starcraft SS<br /><br />From the perspective of the boat, ain't too much can go wrong with an aluminum boat, but ditto Bondo's comment about the floor. Not a big deal to replace, but expect a weekend's worth of work. As for performance, the aluminum's much lighter than fiberglass, so that 80HP should be plenty for family fun. With the lighter weight, towing will also be much easier.<br /><br />Assume it's on a trailer. Not any big expenses here outside of the tires, but it's got to be road-worthy.<br /><br />The motor's the big unknown here, and SoLittle's comment is on the mark. If you can get someone knowledgeable to give the motor a clean bill of health, that $2K mark is what I'd shoot for.
 
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BillP

Captain
Joined
Aug 10, 2002
Messages
3,290
Re: Old Boat Opportunity

I think that was the era for Merc's defective stators. You can tell by the color...black or red but I can't remember which is the good one (red I think). If the motor has the old stator the updated one needs to be installed or you risk being stranded. Waterpump kit and carb rebuilds are normal maintenance items if the motor has been sitting. You could drop another $600-$1000 in the motor if a good merc shop does all the work. Check repair costs before buying.
 
M

mrfizban

Seaman
Joined
Nov 17, 2004
Messages
62
Re: Old Boat Opportunity

Thanks. This is really good info. The seller is actually my friend's dad, so he isn't out to make money. He was actually talking about just giving it to my friend, but he doesn't have a family and doesn't know how to swim, so he thought of me with my young family and in the market for a boat. So I don't think there are any hidden things the seller is trying to get away from. It was out in the rain, but it did have a tarp over it. I got dirty and probably some dew moisture, but he's not the kind of guy to let something get ruined. He is getting older and more busy now and just doesn't want it taking up that space in his driveway, so he's looking for someone that needs a boat and we just came up with $2,000 as an arbitrary sales amount since it books for $3,000. So that's really the whole story. Thanks again for all the info guys.<br /><br />Jeff
 
G

garycinn

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 7, 2003
Messages
479
Re: Old Boat Opportunity

My buddy has one with a 70 HP Evinrude. It tops out about 30-32 mph. It is a pretty good ski boat -- little wake -- just keep the throttle floored. <br /><br />He has replaced his floor twice. The hull is indestructo. Check the cable steering -- they get stiff and hard to turn and have to be rebuilt/replaced.<br /><br />Put a set of smart tabs on that thing and it will improve the ride all around.<br /><br />I agree $2000 would be tops in primo shape with trailer. Figure another grand over the next year just getting all the bugs worked out.
 
G

garycinn

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 7, 2003
Messages
479
Re: Old Boat Opportunity

Another thing. Figure $100 on a new ladder with two or three steps. The one off the back swim step is one step. After a hard ski run you have to be the Hulk to life yourself up. I swear the step is 3" below the water........<br /><br />Also, budget yourself another $30K because once you spend a year or two on it your family will be taking you to the boat show to get a new shiny bowrider.<br /><br />Go for it. Not much to lose. Walk around on the floor to find the soft spots -- especially by the ski locker.
 
TwoBallScrewBall

TwoBallScrewBall

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Sep 14, 2003
Messages
1,695
Re: Old Boat Opportunity

Yeah I hate those "ladders". Might as well try to climb over the gunwale. Need at least 2 steps to call something a "ladder" I say.
 
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