To sell or not to sell?

[reelfishin]

About two years ago I picked up an 18' Starchief project boat. I say project boat because the original motor had a bad power tilt/trim unit, the deck has a few soft spots, and it needs paint. It was on a boat lift, in freshwater it's whole life, and I was able to drive it roughly 25 miles home on the water to an awaiting trailer.
I removed the original motor after deeming it not worth fixing the power tilt/trim set up due to cost. I had a later model motor that I was planning to use but I've since found another home for that motor. The trailer I put it on is a super clean single axle galvanize full roller, it needs nothing.
When I bought this boat I had pretty much figured I'd never part with it, but after being asked if I'd sell it now several times by an interested party, and the simple realization that it's probably not the best boat for my uses here, plus the fact that it's one of about seven other boat projects awaiting my time and attention, maybe I should think about letting it go. (I've been eying up a small pilot house boat).
MY problem is that I have no idea what to ask for it?
I will not part with the motor or controls which I have for it.
To give a good idea of it's condition, to go fishing tomorrow, one would need to hang a motor and controls, add a battery, and two new seats as the current seats are wood and the backs are broken from forcing the stiff hinges to fold down. The deck has two soft spots, one between the seats, the other where the boarding ladder sits at one rear corner. Keep in mind that the floor feels soft under my 325lbs, others don't seem to see any problem with it, so it could be used as is I suppose if you wished.
My plan was to toss the outdoor carpet and put down new wood with either Nautolex or Tuff Coat paint.

The outer hull has been repainted before, many years ago, the paint is rough and lifting all over but there's no corrosion and no leaks. The inside of the cabin is original, and although aged, still usable. It's plumbed for a through the hull head, which I bypassed and removed.
The trailer has LED lights, 16 rollers, and a two speed winch with 4" wide winch strap.

I actually hate to sell it but since I am short of space, and this the least likely to be used boat I own now, I think I have to consider letting it go. Besides, if I were to get into it and start dumping a lot into it, I would never be able to sell it.
When I bought this boat, I was looking for this very boat, but I've since moved, and I feel the cabin would be more in the way than useful to me.
I also had a few offers of trades, one for an open version of the same hull, but I let those go by since I've already got too many boats, and since I'm thinking of downsizing my truck, the 18' boat may well be a challenge to launch with the smaller truck.
Another thing I have to consider is that I'm looking at a long distance move in the next few years, so thinning the herd so to speak may not be a bad idea.

To me, as a fishing boat, it would be ready to use with a quick coat of paint and a motor, the rest is no big deal for just fishing. My original intent was to strip it down and repaint the whole boat, replace the deck, some new seats, and add some new electronics for fishing. If I sell it, those add ons will go to another project, they are not for sale.

The individual interested has asked me to come up with a price, but I have no idea what this is worth? I'm sure I'll miss it if I sell it, but selling it would certainly give me some elbow room around here. I'm up to 12 boats in all, I need to cut that down to 4 or 5 at best.
Has anyone seen any of these sell lately? Any idea as to value? Keep in mind I'd be selling either the boat alone or the boat with it's roller trailer. No motor or controls.

 

[N1265]

Re: To sell or not to sell?

it's kinda hard to put a price on another guys boat, expecially when you have never seen it. Do you have any pictures ?


If not, you can always use my method of pricing stuff. Simply add up every penny you have into it and multiply that figure X 2

 

[reelfishin]

Re: To sell or not to sell?

These are all I have right now, the boat is covered up pretty well right now, I'd have to take down the cover support and tarps to get more pics.
http://i54.tinypic.com/2qce8eh.jpg
http://i52.tinypic.com/2r4n7ts.jpg
Both seat boxes hold a fuel tank, plus some storage space. I think it's got two 12 or 15 gallon tanks.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: To sell or not to sell?

I'm up to 12 boats in all

12 boats! That is awesome!

I love that Starchief, super rig!

Boat, trailer, no motor = probably about $500 to $1500 depending on a whole variety of things.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: To sell or not to sell?

That hull and trailer are in real nice shape. I'd hate to part with it for less than $1500.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: To sell or not to sell?

That hull and trailer are in real nice shape. I'd hate to part with it for less than $1500.

That's about what I was thinking I guess, the hull is in really nice shape, no dents or cracks, all the rivets are tight and original. It just needs to be stripped and repainted. The deck would survive for a few more years under a lighter foot, but at 325lbs/6'4" tall, most decks feel a bit soft to me. That's not to say it's not due, but its usable and it's not wet.
If I didn't have so many other projects, including one I'm really eager to get started on, this wouldn't stand a chance of being sold, but this will end up waiting 5 or 6 years before I ever get to it, and between now and then I'm looking at a long distance move, to an area where this will be of even less use.

I never even thought about selling this, or thinning the herd any but after several have stopped and asked if I'd sell it, I got to thinking how much room it would free up and how selling it would mean one less boat to haul when I move. Selling off a few of them suddenly seems like the right answer. Especially if it saves me a trip or two back and forth.
Of course, if I can't get a fair price for it, I'll just keep it, even if I end up removing the cabin and making it an open boat.
I was thinking of telling the guy that made the offer $1800 and see what he does. At least then I've got a bit of room to let him bargain. But I do agree, there's no way I'd sell it for less than $1500. I just hope that I don't regret selling it at a later date. There was a time when this to me was the perfect boat. The best part about it is that it's so light.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: To sell or not to sell?

If you wanted to trade it for a 21' I know my buddy would trade ya!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: To sell or not to sell?

Keep it...sounds like it just needs a custom pilot house added to it

I think we are all a bit proud of you for managing to own 12 rigs(many of them Starcrafts at that)

 

[reelfishin]

Re: To sell or not to sell?

If you wanted to trade it for a 21' I know my buddy would trade ya!

When I was looking at a few of these several years ago, I passed on a rather clean 21' Chieftain because I didn't want an I/O boat. At the time I never knew they offered the Chieftain in an outboard.
I love those boats but a 21' boat would be even worse than this as far as towing it with a small truck. I'm letting go of my two 1 ton vans and intend on buying a newer Ranger if I can find one.
If space and towing weight was no issue, I'd be half interested in the 21' but it really wouldn't gain me anything but more work and less room in the driveway. As it stands now, I'm not sure I'd want to launch the 18' Starchief with my 4 cylinder Ranger.
I've looked around at maybe a bigger truck but haven't found any thing I like.
My ideal tow vehicle would be an F150 4x2 with a 4.9L 6 cylinder and an autotrans.
The manual shift 2.3L Ranger with it's 2.73:1 rear is a real pain on the ramp even with a smaller boat. The van I'm selling is great but it cost me $40 every time I drive to the ramp and back in gas.

I figured on giving the guy a call this weekend that's been asking me if I'd sell it and tossing out a price, if he bites at anything over $1500, its gone, if not, it stays for now.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: To sell or not to sell?

because I didn't want an I/O boat.

Oh wow, you just made EZ's day.



reelfishin - I just read your post on the fella that wanted to charge ya $500 something for the free boat you gave him. Holy molly, I have had a few gems from clist/eBay but your guy takes the cake!


Yah, that Starchief with the OB hull you have is pretty awesome. I am sure she would turn out to be a great project!

 

[reelfishin]

Re: To sell or not to sell?

There's probably more where that clown came from, luckily he stopped showing up here.

I haven't listed any freebie on CL since, it's just not worth the aggravation.

 

[starcraftkid]

Re: To sell or not to sell?

I've got the same boat, although mine needs a lot more attention than does yours judging by the pics, but I used it as it is for two years. Although I often opt to take out one of my other boats, I'd never sell the Starchief. I launch and tow mine with either a 1/2 ton pickup or on occasion my Ranger pickup, it all depends on the ramp I'm going to. The boat only weighs about 1600 on the trailer with fuel, motor, and all my gear. My trailer is a full roller Load Rite that works great. I don't even get the tires wet.
I agree it could use more fishing room, but its fine with two guys.
It's a far better boat to just spend a relaxing day out on the river, being aluminum it draws almost no water and being so light, it sips gas. Mine moves along pretty good with an older 115hp Johnson on it. I have no idea of the tru speed as the speedometer has never worked. (It's on the list of things to do).

Something I've seriously thought about is putting it on a lower, lighter trailer to make it an easier tow for the Ranger p/u. My Ranger is older and still uses the lower HP 2.3L engine, I think it's only like 90hp or so.
To be honest, the Starchief isn't any harder to pull up the ramp than is my smaller 15' Voyager which probably don't break the 1,000 lb mark trailer included. I never launch without having some weight in the bed for traction.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: To sell or not to sell?

My main reason for this boat was to have a boat that had enough storage to keep any unused tackle inside out of the salt spray. Meaning that if a rod and reel didn't get used, it wouldn't still need to be cleaned and lubed after a day in the rough getting soaked in saltwater. With my open boat, the rods ride in rod holders, everything gets soaked if it gets rough or if we go out in the rain.
Which is one of the reasons I may look for another type of boat. I fish rain or shine, but I like to stay dry. I'd be happier with a pilot house type boat with some storage overhead.

Believe me, until someone started to bug me for a price, I never thought I'd let the Starchief go but as I get older, and where and how I fish changes, the boat has become the least likely to be used. I live in an area where freshwater all but restricts you to an electric motor, and saltwater needs a bigger boat most of the time. The only place I have to run the Starchief would be in a small river or some back bays. For the most part, my 15' or 16' boats get used more often just because their easier to launch and load by myself.

More so lately, I've come to prefer a boat that can run a smaller outboard, the kind of motor I can unclamp and put away in the garage after the day is done.
Those smaller motors are a lot easier on fuel too.
I'm a guy that fishes for food, I'm not out there for the sport of it, I'm looking to put fish in the freezer to eat so my boat has to be 100% fishing capable.
I also got to thinking about my size, that cabin on the Starchief is mighty small when your 6'3" tall and over 300lbs. Right now I'm using an open rear enclosure on a 16' runabout, the top secures to the windshield and covers both seats and then some. I pivot the seats around after tossing anchor and fish off the back. With the Starchief, tossing the anchor is an issue since there's no forward access. Face it, at my size, I'm not getting any part of me up through that forward 12x12" hatch, and I'm not agile enough to walk along the gunwales to get to the bow. I usually end up tossing the anchor off the side, then using a boat pole to hook it around the forward cleat and off the bow. This isn't hard in calm water but in 4' or 5' swells, it's pretty tough to do.

I called the guy that's interested in the boat, I haven't heard back from him yet. I just hope he buys the thing before I change my mind.

It's also the only boat I have that won't fit in my garage when it comes to working on it, so any work I do on it is outdoors. Meaning I have to wait till warm weather. The others all get worked on indoors over the winter.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: To sell or not to sell?

I spent most of the remaining time today after work putting a new cover on the Starchief for winter. I haven't heard back from the guy that kept asking me if I'd sell it so for not I guess it stays.

I was going over some old brochure pic and sort of figured out what my ideal boat would be, and pretty much came to the conclusion that the Sportsman model in the 1967 brochure would be perfect. Then I realized that the Sportsman model is basically the same boat as my 1964 Duratech Sportboat. Although I like the look of the Starcraft better, and I'd bet money that the Starcraft is far lighter.

I mentioned selling it to one buddy here and got blasted for even thinking about the idea.

My problem is that I need to let something go, but there's only three that I'd consider selling at all, either the 1973 Starcraft Capri, the 1967 Starchief, or maybe one of my three 15' boats. I'd rather let go of the larger boats, either the 17' Capri or the Starchief since they're the hardest to launch and the least used.

For now though, after today, the total boat count is up to 13, I just couldn't pass up a perfectly good running boat, motor and trailer for free. Although not a Starcraft, it's a keeper since it needs nothing and runs 100%.

I've tried to stick to boats under 16' but this latest one and the two larger Starcraft boats are all over that mark. It's a matter of registration cost here, they get $12 to register a 15', and 16' to 26' is $28. Call me cheap but I hate paying more than double the rate for just another foot or two of length. I suppose it wouldn't be all that bad if I had only one or two boats, but I own 13, and possibly 14 by the weekend if I go pickup another 15' aluminum boat that I looked at Sat. for free.

For now my motor is staying on the Starchief, its winterized and covered up and ready for winter. If it's still here come spring I guess it stays, otherwise I'd consider selling it. The same goes for my Capri 17. I actually like the Capri better since it's a more stable fishing platform but that's another boat that's been sitting waiting for me to get time to rig a motor and some new seats in it. I just know that if I sell either one I'll regret it later down the road. Especially if I end up buying another larger tow vehicle. For right now, having four trucks, two cars, and 13 boats, and four spare boat trailers, and 6 work trailers in one yard pretty much has me packed to the limits here. I've even got two parked on a neighbors yard, one boat at work, and one tinny double stacked on top of another boat holding up a tarp.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: To sell or not to sell?

Holy shamoly, 13 boats!!!

Spose you could get them all together for a family photo?

That would be pretty cool! (probably logistically impossible though huh)

Cheers

 

[reelfishin]

Re: To sell or not to sell?

I'd have to tow all of them to a larger lot to take the pic, they all don't get parked here. They range from a 12' Duranautic to the 18' Starchief in size.
Several were boats which I bought or picked up to part out and found they were solid hulls. I've always preferred an aluminum boat, mostly since they are easier to tow and they take less hp to move on the water. I spend most of my boating on rivers and lakes, an on occasion I venture into the back bays, so I really don't need anything very big.
Right now the list is as follows: 12' Duranautic V hull, 14' Alumacraft, 14' Starcraft SeaScamp, 14' MFG Niagara, 14 1/2' Grumman SSV, 15' Starcraft Voyager, 15' Steury 416, 16' MFG Westfield, 16' Starcraft Jupiter, 17' MFG Edinboro, 17' Starcraft Capri, 17' Duratech Sport boat, 18' Starcraft Starchief.

Right now the two lightest aluminum boats are upside down being used to support the tarps on two other boats. It saves me some space and keeps the snow from caving in the tarps. I thought about selling a few of the small boats but their worth more to me just to cover my bigger boats than anything else right now. I have a pending sale on the Jupiter which is a project boat anyway since it needs a deck and transom. The Starchief needs paint, seats, and the rear deck has a few worn areas, and the Capri needs seats and some type of floor covering or epoxy paint to replace what used to be carpet. I had a guy that wanted to trade me the Capri for a late model outboard but he backed out after his car couldn't pull it. It sits on a light tandem trailer which makes the combo weigh in at about 1700lbs. The problem I have is that my 4x2 4 cyl. Ranger has issues on steep ramps with anything over 1,000 lbs. Its perfect for the smaller boats, but forget anything larger.
On the road it does just fine even with a larger boat. Being a manual trans with a 2.71 rear axle it's got very little low end grunt. If I could find a cheap used rear, I'd toss that rear in favor of a 4.11 gear and solve a lot of problems but the junk yard wants $800 for a used rear of unknown condition and it makes little sense to rebuild a 7.5" rear with the lower ratio and then use it for towing. If I make the change, I want the 8.8" rear axle.

I never intended to own 13 boats, but I refuse to just scrap or give away a perfectly good boat, I'm always open to a fair trade, but if often I buy a boat to get the motor or trailer and what was sold as scrap turns out to be a rock solid boat. I'm partial to older boats, I have little to no interest in anything newer, and I've always favored Starcraft and MFG boats. With most of my smaller boats being Grumman or Duranautic.
I use the Grumman and my MFGs the most lately, but they're the easiest to launch and load and both have the newest motors. The Starchief never even got wet this year or last. The Duratech is also a project which although isn't very far from being done, I just haven't had the time to finish it this year.

 

[freeisforme]

Re: To sell or not to sell?

If you wanted to trade it for a 21' I know my buddy would trade ya!

Why would someone want to trade a 21' for an 18' model?
Neither are all that heavy, both are towable with any 1/2 ton truck.
What year is his 21'? Starchief or Chieftain?

To RF, I'd keep it, you will never find another if you change your mind later. I searched for many years before I found my 18' Starchief, which looks almost identical to yours. I looked at four of them before buying mine, this was the first one that actually had a perfect hull, no dents, no patches, and it needed only a motor. I just pulled the motor off of mine, I found a good 115 that I was planning to hang but the weather got too cold so it's next years project.

When I was looking for mine, I looked at several larger Chieftains, all were I/O boats, so I gave up and bought the 18'. Mine was being used at the time, it's on the same Highlander trailer as yours is, as was all but one that I looked at before too. My take was that what ever dealer was selling these also pushed Highlander roller trailers.
My Starchief also had a portopot on the port side, I also tossed it and just bridged the hoses for now. I'm not sure if it was factory or just a dealer install. I wasn't too keen on having to clean the thing and I rarely boat that far away from being able to just come ashore if need be.
My interior is well aged but usable and my cabin wall is in need of some new varnish but the boat was being used when I found it, or at least it hadn't been all that long since it was last used. I pulled off the old motor in favor of one with power tilt/trim. I got tired of reaching over that huge splashwell to tilt the engine.

When I went looking for mine, most of the boats I found were either salt corroded, cracked, dented, or just so beat up they weren't worth fixing.
If I didn't have so much into mine now, I'd have traded it for a solid 21' hull in minute. I've gotten too fond of the 18' and it's just the right size for all around use. I'm not sure if the 21' hull would have been any advantage to me.
As to value, I paid $2200 for mine, with an older motor, not running, and in well used condition but with a really solid hull and roller trailer. The way I see it the boat alone is worth at least $500 even in junk condition in just aluminum, maybe more. The full roller trailer would sell for $1000 or so alone, then you can only add if the boat is a viable hull that's clean enough to redo and use. Most that I found were so badly beaten that they were missing many rivets, one had the whole bow area caved in, the guy said it happened in some big waves, the same owner complained about how hard it 'landed' after coming off really big waves. That comment alone made me walk away.
My boat was owned by a guy that was fairly old when he bought it, he was the original and only owner, I bought it from his 70 something son after he had passed away. I was pretty confident the last owner didn't do any acrobatics with the boat over the years.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: To sell or not to sell?

After pretty much being talked into it, I guess the Starchief stays for now, but getting it moved will be an issue. There's no way my 130,000 mile 4 cylinder Ranger will haul it for 1300 miles, if it did, I'd be afraid it would finish off the truck off for good. I was originally planning on using my full size van for the move but will most likely sell that and the Ranger and buy something newer afterward.

I tried running a few ads in a local paper, and didn't even get a call at $1500, and only one guy called when I lowered it to $1200, and he wanted to trade me a junk car and some cash for it. I listed it for $1200 thinking that I'd go down to $1000 for the hull and trailer just to move it, but not a penny less, and at that, I'd probably keep the winch and the new LED tail lights to use on another boat trailer. I did the CL ad thing but got so many scam offers I pulled the ad after one day.

A buddy of mine showed me one way to move some of my small boats and to save a few trips by flipping the smaller hulls over onto the next larger size boats. For instance, a 12' can be flipped and carried upside down on top of a 16 or 18' boat, and at the same time act as a cover for anything stowed in the boat for the move. Smaller trailers can be taken apart and hauled in pieces and reassembled at a later. The bottom line will be that I have to get everything down to what will fit into one 48' trailer, and what can be hauled behind my car for move when the time comes.

That means that I have to get the fleet down to what will fit into one 53' trailer, and one in tow behind my car, with maybe one flipped upside down on top. I'm not pressed to make any moves right away but I have to keep the idea in mind about the future move, so I have to look seriously at any chance to downsize I come across.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: To sell or not to sell?

After giving it a lot of thought over the past month or so, and pretty much coming to the conclusion that I wouldn't likely use the Starchief much anyhow if I keep it, as well as the fact that I've got another home for the motor which I had intended for it, I've pretty much decided to try and find it a new home.
Whether I sell or trade it for something, I can't see getting into a project that I won't use. My ideal boat is a flat, open boat. To me the Starchief is a great boat for big rivers and lakes, something we really don't have around here.
What I've decided is that I'll sell it so long as I get $1K out of the boat and trailer, or $800 out of the boat. I'd then just keep or maybe sell the trailer separately.

If it were an open hull, it would stay, but what I need is a flat bottom skiff not a bigger V hull. Even a decent size modified V aluminum bass boat would suit me better than this, but seeing as I am also planning a move, one less boat sure would make things easier when the time comes. After contemplating it for most of the winter, and spending time working on my MFG, I also figured that I'd get farther with less projects. That way I'd have more room to work on my other boats too. With 14 boats in all, a few just have to go. I do have pending sales on two of the 15' boats, and I thought I had a deal made on my Starcraft Capri, but I haven't heard from that guy in a month now.
The part that I hate is knowing that I will no doubt be back up to at least 14 boats again one day and that I'll possibly regret selling the Starchief, but I just can't see keeping a boat that doesn't suit my needs. Both the thought of a pending move and me acquiring another boat has pretty much forced this decision. The worst part is that I had always wanted a Starchief, but now that I have one, I no longer live on or even near a huge lake.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: To sell or not to sell?

$1K would be a great deal on that rig! Hopefully one of the guys around here will give her a good home. She would make a great project!