Starcraft Noobie..which year

[doogymon]

Howdy.

In have the bug for a SC from the past. I'm thinking a 16 or 18' holiday. I like the rectangular windshields versus the round.
I like the deck. Can someone help me sort out which year had what? One pic I saw had a round bow versus pointy and a high freeboard.Maybe she was glass. I am going tin and think 18' would be optimal but 16' would be swell as well.
Are the 80's holidays improved over the 60' or 70's?

Cheers

 

[barato2]

Re: Starcraft Noobie..which year

hi doogy-

welcome to the madhouse. you're in the right place for old tin.

AFAIK, there was no significant change in the Holidays over the years. all have very high freeboard which is why they're such good big-water and family-not-fall-overboard boats, esp the 18'ers. not sure it was a Holiday if you saw a curved bow.

where do you boat and how many people are you likely to have aboard? this will help on whether to look for an 18 or 16. my take is look for an 18 unless you have launching difficulty or very small lakes.

they went from the curved plexi windshield to the flat-glass in early 60s....my 65 has flat windshield, while my 64 Starchief has the curved plexi.

and let us know what area you're in and the diligent CL addicts here will look for one

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: Starcraft Noobie..which year

They are classy boats with the closed bow. You're in with the right Klan to help you. Half the fun for me is going through the old brochures:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=349830
As far as what year they switched from rounded to squared off windshields??????????? 60's rounded 70's square. There is probably a specific year they switched. The catalogs will help you narrow it down. If I get a chance I'll go through them.

Good luck
Don

 

[doogymon]

Re: Starcraft Noobie..which year

Great stuff

Great Lakes. Upper Michigan, North Channel and channels in between.

4 peeps max.

Is the 2.5l GM inboard a good rig?

Cheers

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Starcraft Noobie..which year

Watch it doogy, it's an incurable illness. Welcome. I think SC also made fiberglass Holidays in later years, the good ones are tin for sure. On the GM I/O, the engine is good, but it's the outdrive you have to watch. Mercruiser (some exceptions) are usually fine. OMC are to be avoided, out of production for years and parts are getting harder and harder to come by.

You have questions, we have answers. And we disagree on some things except we agree that tinnies are great boats

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: Starcraft Noobie..which year

Welcome to the club! Be careful, it can get addicting! Stickied at the top of this forum are many sales brochures which cover just about every year, besides just being cool to read they can give you a rough idea what you are looking for. And fire away with questions, the guys on here are awesome at answering them!

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: Starcraft Noobie..which year

2.5 is a solid Chevy, It'll do you good. The 3.0 is it's bigger cousin with 140 hp. The outdrive you want is the black Mercruiser, not the white OMC or Stringer. You can't get parts for the OMC anymore.

There is an ongoing hot debate on which is "better", an I/O or outboard. There are advantages to both.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Starcraft Noobie..which year

In have the bug for a SC from the past.

You are sick doogy!

You'll easily fit in with the rest of us, we are all ailing

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Starcraft Noobie..which year

Try to hold out for an 18'. Having owned both, I can tell you that the 18s are larger in every dimension than the 16s which I think would be desirable for you on the great lakes.

 

[barato2]

Re: Starcraft Noobie..which year

and for someone in upper Mich, there is much to be said for the easier winterizing of an OB compared to the I/O....makes early and late season trips more feasible. and this is coming from an owner of both.

 

[Bob427]

Re: Starcraft Noobie..which year

heres a few pics of 74 18' holiday it has extra two seats by the splashwell very handy
I have owned both a 16 and this 18 i will tell go 18' if possible

 

[doogymon]

Re: Starcraft Noobie..which year

Thanks very much folks.

Wealth of knowledge here.

I'm zeroing in on a 18' Holiday.

Cheers

Doog