The search for a free (or nearly free) Starcraft!

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tommykeith

Cadet
Joined
Apr 22, 2009
Messages
11
Re: The search for a free (or nearly free) Starcraft!

You guys are so lucky living back in the midwest. I live in the intermountain west in Montana, and first, there aren't near as many boats here and secondly, never as cheap as you guys get.
 
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Starman8

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 17, 2010
Messages
630
Re: The search for a free (or nearly free) Starcraft!

tkeith said:
You guys are so lucky living back in the midwest. I live in the intermountain west in Montana, and first, there aren't near as many boats here and secondly, never as cheap as you guys get.
Click to expand...

I am in Ohio, and my SS came from Iowa???????????????????????
 
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djmeaney

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Dec 28, 2007
Messages
129
Re: The search for a free (or nearly free) Starcraft!

I am new to the Starcraft Community and to powerboating in general. I have a 19' sailboat, but never owned a powerboat.

Am seriously considering getting a powerboat for the family. I posted a question on how to find a good, low cost boat and Ezmobee was kind enough to direct me to the Starcraft board. I've skimming over the posts the past day or so and I have to say I think I'm hooked on aluminum boats (Always thought that aluminum hulls were only for fishing boats under 16'). In particular, the Free (or nearly free) thread is singing my song!

Since you all are the experts and I'm not, thought I would start be telling what I would use a powerboat for and may be you can tell me what I should be looking for.

Here goes:
Boat would be used on local lakes or the protected waters of Long Island Sound (typically 1 to 3 foot seas)
It would be used for cruising, tubing and may be fishing.
Typically there would be five people on board (may be more on occasion)
Passengers (besides me) would be my wife - twin 13 year olds and an 11 year old
Tow vehicle is a Toyota Sienna with a rated towing capacity of 3,500 lbs.
Live in central Connecticut

I'm pretty handy with motors and woodworking, but not an expert by any means.

Think that covers it.

BTW, I found this one on CL about 30 minutes away -- sure it doesn't qualify as 'Free" at $2,500 -- but it does look good to my untrained eye! http://westernmass.craigslist.org/boa/2517131166.html

Thanks,

Dan
 
Huron Angler

Huron Angler

Admiral
Joined
Apr 7, 2009
Messages
6,025
Re: The search for a free (or nearly free) Starcraft!

Welcome aboard Dan, I'm sure you will be able to find a good boat if you are patient.

The one you posted is a glasser, so I'd keep looking:)

Based on what you listed as intended use, I'd recommend a 18' SuperSport or Holiday.

Plenty of room for 5 and still easily towed by your Toyota.

I've had my 16' rig in 3' rollers and it handled them just fine, if you want you could look for a 21' Holiday or a 22' SuperSport for more big water handling.
 
ezmobee

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: The search for a free (or nearly free) Starcraft!

Agree completely with HA. For your intended usage, it will be tough to beat an 18' SuperSport. To keep in your price range, I'd settle for a 16' if that's what you can find. Starcraft makes both aluminum and fiberglass boats. Their glass boats are nothing special and would suffer the same rot issues as the others we've previously steered you away from.

Here's my 18' SS http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/IMG_1134-2.jpg
 
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djmeaney

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Dec 28, 2007
Messages
129
Re: The search for a free (or nearly free) Starcraft!

ezmobee said:
Agree completely with HA. For your intended usage, it will be tough to beat an 18' SuperSport. To keep in your price range, I'd settle for a 16' if that's what you can find. Starcraft makes both aluminum and fiberglass boats. Their glass boats are nothing special and would suffer the same rot issues as the others we've previously steered you away from.

Here's my 18' SS http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/IMG_1134-2.jpg
Click to expand...

Ezmobee, your boat looks great.

Did a quick CL search and came up with these -- are these the models what you and HA are suggesting?

http://worcester.craigslist.org/boa/2494015748.html
http://worcester.craigslist.org/boa/2536587034.html

Do they look like good deals?

Dan
 
ezmobee

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: The search for a free (or nearly free) Starcraft!

Yes they are the correct model. That first one has been off and on for sale for YEARS. Looks like it was left in the water for a really long time and I'd worry about corrosion. The second one looks like a fair deal although Force motors are tough to find parts/service for. The guy is being a jerk calling it a Mercury. Yeah Mercury owned Force it's last couple years but it's still a Force.
 
ezmobee

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
jasoutside

jasoutside

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2009
Messages
13,269
Re: The search for a free (or nearly free) Starcraft!

Hey welcome Dan! I'd agree with these fellas, 18' version of the Super Sport sounds like it would be a good fit for you. I went ahead and added ya to the first post there.

I think it'll be a tough find that particular boat in the in the northeast for the low cost of nuttin. But, if you are patient, are a hound on craigslist, are willing to jump at even the slightest wiff of a deal, you may be able to snatch one up.

Or, drive out to MI;)
 
barato2

barato2

Commander
Joined
Dec 7, 2010
Messages
2,956
Re: The search for a free (or nearly free) Starcraft!

so what do y'all think of a 66ish Holiday 18, hull in good shape but could use floors and transom and needs rewiring, 100hp Chrysler OB that turns over but needs at minimum control cables andsteering, trailer OK but needs wiring and one fender reinstalled. oh, and no title as it came from NB where at the time they just did bill of sale. it has these funky "headlights" set into the bow so it may need to get eyebrows painted on or the Eye of Horus motif

it just followed my truck home for $300.............we WILL be keeping this from the sight of SWMBO til it looks better and/or the Starchief runs. what the heck was i thinking? i mostly wanted to save the poor old girl....... picked up over lunch; it's now parked downtown behind my truck and i'm not worried abt anything being stolen. i'll put up some pix next week when i get back from mountains. also some pix of the 'chief, altho not much progress this summer.

i really don't need this boat and if any other Starmadans are interested, i'll pass it along for what i paid; PM me. if not, i'll fix it up; motor is biggest issue and one of my friends in Mexico has a good 90hp OMC he's been trying to sell me. THAt should pique the interest of US Customs folks at border when i come back across with big motor and 12' portabote......
 
ezmobee

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: The search for a free (or nearly free) Starcraft!

Fix the Chrysler to make the project interesting I say.
 
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