What kind of starcraft to get for Family of 6

[warrenjets]

So ive been doing some reading and i really have my heart set on a starcraft aluminum boat. The only issue is they seem a bit small. I have a family of six, 2 kids and two youner cousins we are watching over. So i need a boat that can seat this many. Pull wakeboarders, Skiers so im thinking an open bow might be the way to go. I do have a 115 horse Mariner to put on the back. So i fig i would ask you guys. Let me know what ya think. Thanks. Jake

 

[InMotion]

Re: What kind of starcraft to get for Family of 6

So ive been doing some reading and i really have my heart set on a starcraft aluminum boat. The only issue is they seem a bit small. I have a family of six, 2 kids and two youner cousins we are watching over. So i need a boat that can seat this many. Pull wakeboarders, Skiers so im thinking an open bow might be the way to go. I do have a 115 horse Mariner to put on the back. So i fig i would ask you guys. Let me know what ya think. Thanks. Jake

Hey Warren,

Welcome! Great choice of boat... going sc alum! You are going to need to go at least 18 feet as a 16 foot SS bow rider I a pretty certain will not take your 115. If you didn't want to go that way, you can customize a jupiter by putting a row of seats across the back in front of the splash well giving you seating capacity of 7 with plenty of room still in the boat.... but you would need to go to a smaller motor, something you may not want to do.

Depending on the size of the skiers HP may be a consideration. I'm 6'4, 210... I dock start on 2 skies and immediately drop 1 behind a 70 hp.... just got tired of dragging half way a cross the lake!!! A 90hp will pull me up one 1 ski no problem.

Some thoughts to chew on.

IM

 

[jasoutside]

Re: What kind of starcraft to get for Family of 6

By your description I'm thinking like IM up there...

An 18 foot SuperSport (along with that 115) would be just the ticket!

 

[halfmoa]

Re: What kind of starcraft to get for Family of 6

I can tell you that me, the wife, and two kids with a cooler and snacks on a 16 foot super sport is full capacity. I've had 6 people on the boat with no cooler or snacks and there's zero space for anything.

That and they're only rated for 85hp but if my 65 ever gives up the ghost I'm overpowering.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: What kind of starcraft to get for Family of 6

Warren - What's your price range? I've found SCs scattered around GA on CL right now. How about a 22 ft.Islander or 18 ft. Holiday?

 

[barato2]

Re: What kind of starcraft to get for Family of 6

18-21 Holiday or SS. either will work fine with 115hp....in fact, it's about ideal size motor.

unless you think da spouse might like some shade, in which case, go for a 21 Chieftain/Islander...harder to find those in OB models, tho.

 

[viper1]

Re: What kind of starcraft to get for Family of 6

My 19 ft holiday has seating for six and lots of room. plus its a closed bow which I like on big water. Has a 3.0L engine cheap but no lose for power. Not sure about skiing but I know previous owner wake boarded and tubed all the time with his family of six.

 

[warrenjets]

Re: What kind of starcraft to get for Family of 6

So i looked at an islander.. Maybee a little to big. I only have a v6 s10 truck to pull it with. I did see this one.
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/boa/2803990170.html
Im pretty sure its a closed bow. Guess it would be good for storage. The motor i already have might just drop rite in.. What do yall think?

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: What kind of starcraft to get for Family of 6

So i looked at an islander.. Maybee a little to big. I only have a v6 s10 truck to pull it with. I did see this one.
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/boa/2803990170.html
Im pretty sure its a closed bow. Guess it would be good for storage. The motor i already have might just drop rite in.. What do yall think?

That's the Holiday I was referring to above. You can figure out the best motor and sell the other to reduce cash outlay. I'm guessing by how much the trailer has sunk in the ground it's been sitting uncovered for a while. It might be a cheap boat needing floors and transom, but you won't know til you look at it. Are you in the Atl. area?

 

[jasoutside]

Re: What kind of starcraft to get for Family of 6

Based on your description I'm thinking you may find an open bow rig a bit more comfortable, eh.

 

[halfmoa]

Re: What kind of starcraft to get for Family of 6

So i looked at an islander.. Maybee a little to big. I only have a v6 s10 truck to pull it with. I did see this one.
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/boa/2803990170.html
Im pretty sure its a closed bow. Guess it would be good for storage. The motor i already have might just drop rite in.. What do yall think?

Find your truck's towing capacity and figure how much your potential boat weighs. This isn't something to leave to guesses and opinions. That V6 won't jerk the trailer out from under the boat like a modded propane injected diesel would but if it's within your towing capacity you SHOULD be ok.

Based on your description I'm thinking you may find an open bow rig a bit more comfortable, eh.

Agree 100X.

 

[PKomrowski]

Re: What kind of starcraft to get for Family of 6

Go as big as you can, you normally see guys get bigger boats, and for a good reason. I use to tow a 22ft islander with a straight six IO fully loaded with a ford arostare van, with absolutely no problem. You may be limited by your experience and that's ok but know once you get the experience you will be wanting bigger! So maby keep it in the back of your mind this first boat only needs to be "the learning curve" boat..

 

[Grandad]

Re: What kind of starcraft to get for Family of 6

Warren - There's something fishy about the windshield in those pictures. Maybe just an optical delusion, but the port side glass might be missing. I'm partial to the closed deck of the Holiday, but the Super Sport might appeal to a young family. Kids like to ride up front where you can keep an eye on them. In any event, I'd recommend a split windshield that allows access to the foredeck. And yes, go big or go home. These boats are relatively light, so another 2' will give you more space without much added cost. - Grandad

 

[Rockmere1]

Re: What kind of starcraft to get for Family of 6

My Heart is with the Supersports, 16 foot is looking to small for what you need to haul, and motor. Around home here we stick to more boats with shorter hauls because of turning on the river. If applicable I would defiantly go with a 18 foot SS!

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: What kind of starcraft to get for Family of 6

The answer is simple..
21 foot super sport!
Or..See if the Liquid Limo is for sale..lol

 

[ezmobee]

Re: What kind of starcraft to get for Family of 6

For your needs and towing capacity, an 18' SS is the way to go.

 

[Starman8]

Re: What kind of starcraft to get for Family of 6

For your needs and towing capacity, an 18' SS is the way to go.

As configured, agree, two at the helm, 2 in the bow, and 2 aft

Since you have a 115hp to hang, consider using your budget for the latest model available
that has no power, as the newer models have more width(beam), which is as, or more
important than length

 

[Starman8]

Re: What kind of starcraft to get for Family of 6

Here you go:

18'
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/boa/2803990170.html

And for the V5 guys, an IO, but here you go
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/boa/2812338404.html

 

[64osby]

Re: What kind of starcraft to get for Family of 6

Another option that might work is a 21" Mariner. Just make sure you have the seat up front and not the fishing platform.

Might be a hard find down your way.

I had 3 adults and 4 kids in ours last year and it worked great. We did use a couple fold out chairs in the stern.

 

[warrenjets]

Re: What kind of starcraft to get for Family of 6

So i called the guy on the 18 vhull on cList. Sure enough one of the windshelds is missing. He has never heard it run and the wheels are missing off the trailer..He seemed pretty set on 900 bucks.. So the search continues.. Thanks for all the advise.. If you see any other good buys.. Mabee 21" foot open bow.. HOLY GRAIL.. hahah let me know.. I dont mind traveling.. Now back to fixing my old johnson seahorse.