Nick_Barr Posted July 8, 2006 Posted July 8, 2006 I have been looking for a bot in the past month and have found a 1983 17' Skeeter Starfire 150, with a 1984 Evinrude 150 XP. It all looks in good/great condition from Pics. What are your opinions on this boat and Motor. Quote
Cajun1977 Posted July 8, 2006 Posted July 8, 2006 how do you know the motor runs great if all youve seen are pics? Quote
Nick_Barr Posted July 8, 2006 Author Posted July 8, 2006 Its mainly what the seller said. And looking from the Condition of the boat I believe him. though I will remove those comments so I can get a basic review on the motor, running or not. -Nick Quote
Super User cart7t Posted July 8, 2006 Super User Posted July 8, 2006 As with any boat of that age, it's what you can't see that I'd be concerned about. Boats of that vintage are nothing but fiberglass wrapped around a lot of wood. Unfortunately, once water penetrates that wood, it starts to rot and there's nothing to stop it. You have to be concerned with the transom and stringers primarily. If the floor has any soft spots that's often a warning flag of deeper problems. Wood repairs on fiberglass boats normally required the complete removal of the top cap of the boat. Not a job for the light-hearted and not economically feasible for you to take a boat that old to have it done. The motor will also have to be thoroughly checked out. Those old V6 rudes and Johnsons were fairly dependable but they were gas hogs. Quote
Nick_Barr Posted July 8, 2006 Author Posted July 8, 2006 That is the one thing I was worried about. I have learned of some test though to check for rot. Such as: Tilting Motor up and having somebody put full weight on lower unit, check for any slight flexing. Also standing directly on transom. The motor I am going to have checked out at a local Marine repair shop nearby. I talked to them its only about $60. The guy has kept really good care of it since 1994. I finally figured out how to post larger pics so here are some. Quote
BassKing813 Posted July 8, 2006 Posted July 8, 2006 How are you going to afford your own boat? You are only 14. Quote
Nick_Barr Posted July 8, 2006 Author Posted July 8, 2006 I'll be 15 in less than a month and I have 2 jobs. Paper Boy and a Recreation Center assistant. Plus he is only asking $2500 Quote
Cajun1977 Posted July 8, 2006 Posted July 8, 2006 nice looking rig hope it all works out for you always wear your lifejacket Quote
FlyRod Posted July 9, 2006 Posted July 9, 2006 Tricky Nicky, The Starfire still is one of the most beautiful boats ever built. I sincerely hope that the boat checks out to be in sound structural and mechanical condition and that you actually DO wind up owning her! Just a thought...maybe someone with skill and experience can help you build a (removable?) front deck extension, should you decide it would be useful. Anyway, Starfires are great! They are one boat that, if I came into possession of a sound one, I'd consider a complete factory rebuild to original condition, with some modern safety and convenience upgrades, of course, such as better instrumentation, new engine, etc. Good luck from... FlyRod Quote
Nick_Barr Posted July 9, 2006 Author Posted July 9, 2006 Well, if I do end up buying it (Not trying to Jump the Gun). When I get older and want to Upgrade, I could possibly think about a complete factory Rebuild, ETC. For right now though I dont have nearly the cash$$$$$$$$$$$ Quote
Super User cart7t Posted July 9, 2006 Super User Posted July 9, 2006 If the engine is sound (at least as sound as it can be at that age) then $2500 is a great price IF it's structurally sound as well. I can see some trailer rust which isn't a big deal and it appears he's got a bracket on the back for a little kicker motor which would need to come off if you buy. The biggie is the transom and stringers and their integrity. You'll want to check the steering system as well. That boat probably has a dual cable system (hopefully with that size of a motor). You need to have your engine mechanic take a quick look at that for stiffness or slop and play. New dual cable systems will run you around $300 - 400 if you install them yourself. If that system is original or hasn't been replaced in the past 10 years you need to replace it. Steering systems are one of the biggest reasons for boating accidents. The last thing you want is to be cruising down the lake at WOT and have a cable fail. Quote
Madhouse27 Posted July 9, 2006 Posted July 9, 2006 The Starfire's are great boats. You know what you need to check. I hope it works out and you can get yourself into a tournament rig cheap. Follow your plan to have it thoroughly checked out before you leap. One way or the other, you'll be glad you did. Quote
Nick_Barr Posted July 9, 2006 Author Posted July 9, 2006 Yes, It does have dual Cable steering system and the kicker motor mount is actaully the Jackplate, it looks like a motor mount from the pic, but it is a 6 inch Jackplate. Right now I am contacting some Boat repair shops down there to set-up an appointemnt for inspection. Quote
Nick_Barr Posted July 9, 2006 Author Posted July 9, 2006 O yeah, JUST FOR COSMETICS, the GEL-COAT is starting to fade, but it doesnt matter that much? Just for looks, right? at least thats what I have heard. Quote
CK14 Posted July 9, 2006 Posted July 9, 2006 only $2500!!! thats sounds like a good deal to me. i got my 14.5' smokercraft pro mag for way more then that :'( (it was new but still). hope it works out. Quote
IneedAnewScreenName9886691 Posted July 11, 2006 Posted July 11, 2006 Nick, sounds like you are doing all you can to cover you back! If she checks out JUMP ON IT! I am excited for you! Quote
cravenfish Posted July 11, 2006 Posted July 11, 2006 Nick, Be sure you check that transom, Skeeter had some problems in the mid 90's with their transoms. You may want to call the Skeeter folks in Texas and tell them what you are looking at and see if they may recomend a local place to take the boat and have them check it for you. If it all checks out it sounds like a good deal for you. If you need more help with Skeeter drop me a PM I know a few folks that rep their boats and we'll see if they can be of any help. PS, make sure mom is OK with towing it. ALSO, I'm glad your on the west coast so I don't have to fish against you , GOOD LUCK!!! Quote
Nick_Barr Posted July 12, 2006 Author Posted July 12, 2006 WELL, I bought her!!!!!!! $2300. The Transom Checked out. VERY SOLID!!!!!!!! So is the floors. Just the hinges are old and some are going to be needed to be replaced. Some minor Fiberglass issues. Mainly Cosmetic. Nothing Major. One good weekend with the help of a couple buddies and she will be as good as NEW The ENGINE RUNS LIKE A BEAST!!!!!!!!!!!!! Starts very easy, very clean engine, not alot of buildup on any part of the Engine. The thing is super smooth steerin with Posi-Steer and dual Cable steering. GREAT Hole Shot and really good top end. I almost sometimes thought the engine sounded and ran like a pure american made Muscle Car. I just need to Restore the Gel-Coat, with some wet sanding and buffering and a good weekly spritzing of bass boat saver. SHE WILL LOOK MIGHT PURDY!!!!! I am very happy!! Add a couple small things and its 100% fishable. I am working extra in August to get money to purchase some new fish-finders and a bigger used trolling motor. Cosmetically she's OK, PERFORMANCE IS TOP NOTCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Low 60's and I got a hang of te steering/handling quite quickly. (After reading about 10 articles) Cant wait to get her finished and OUT ON THE WATER!!!!!!!! I may even be working out a Boat wrap deal with a guy who was my boater for the Jr. State Championship!!!!!!!!!!!! PS: When we were putting the boat in, the rope came loose and the boa floated away into the lake so I said Screw it dropped my cell phone, wallet and Hat and jumped right in and retrieved the boat. Quote
Super User KU_Bassmaster. Posted July 12, 2006 Super User Posted July 12, 2006 Congrats man!!!!!!! I am still eagerly awaiting the day I purchase my first real bass boat .... hopefully less than a year. That is a sweet looking rig too. I am a sucker for baby blue w/ a darker royal blue. Quote
bassdocktor Posted July 12, 2006 Posted July 12, 2006 Hey congrats on the purchase and good luck with it. I've noticed you've been looking for awhile. bassdocktor Quote
Nick_Barr Posted July 12, 2006 Author Posted July 12, 2006 I am so thankful for my mother, she helped me purchase the boat, by putting up some money to get me started, fortunately I didnt have too spend too much. The rig is pretty sweet, just cosmetics it needs tome TLC, but its 20 years old. For a boat of that age it is VERY Nice and I got a deal on it. The best thing is the motor, it runs like a dang Muscle Car. When he sold it to me he said he is most proud of the Engine, he has kept it clean, lubed and WELL taken care of in the past 12 years. Thanks Guys, without your input I would have been lost on some subjects. THANKS!!!!!!!!! Quote
cravenfish Posted July 12, 2006 Posted July 12, 2006 CONGRATS" on your new boat purchase. Wear your life jacket. GOOD LUCK & GOOD FISHING Quote
Super User cart7t Posted July 12, 2006 Super User Posted July 12, 2006 PS: When we were putting the boat in, the rope came loose and the boa floated away into the lake so I said Screw it dropped my cell phone, wallet and Hat and jumped right in and retrieved the boat. Why that's never, ever happened to me.. : Congradulations on the new boat. Quote
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