Thoughts on older skeeter starfire boats

[Geography 101]

Thinking of using for a first boat and would like some feedback, total newb to bass boats.

[TOXIC]

I pretty much give the same advice to anyone looking at a used boat and even more so with an older used boat.  The concerns are all the same and if you don’t feel confident in spotting potential problems, take someone with you who can. You need to be somewhat confident that the “bones” of the hull are good (transom and stringers), the big motor operates properly (compression and leakdown test) and the trailer is sound (tires, brakes, bearings, lights).  The rest is small potatoes and repairable at a reasonable cost.  

[Captain Phil]

I have restored a number of old fiberglass boats.  The biggest hull issues are wood rot.  Older boats used wood in their construction.  Over time, water can seep into the wood causing structural failures. I have seen floors so bad they move up and down when you walk on them.   I have actually seen transoms fall off.  These are not easy fixes as all the rotten wood needs to be replaced.   Look for cracks in the transom and in the corners.  Starting around the year 2000, many boat manufacturers stopping using wood for those reasons.  I had a 2000 Skeeter bass boat with no wood and I'm sure it's still running today.  Old outboard motors are problems.  Unless you have access to a great outboard mechanic and a fat wallet, you are better off buying a new engine.  I'm fairly sure you don't want to hear that, but I am speaking from experience. The newer four stroke engines are wonderful.  By the time you get done, you may wish you bought a newer boat.  You could sink more money into restoring an old boat than what it's worth.   I would have no trouble buying a used aluminum bass boat.   Their construction makes it easy to see any flaws.   Be careful about buying a freshly painted boat.  Paint can hide a bunch of things, most of them are bad.

[WRB]

Skeeter StarFire hulls post 1990 were glass over wood transom and stringers.

Tom

[Geography 101]

Was looking at a 1986 in pretty good shape and rocking a yamaha 150 pro V

[WRB]

SF175 was a fast hull but....glassed over wooden transom and stringers.

Easy way to test for weakened transom is use the engine as a lever. Raised the engine and push the lower unit side to side looking for any flexing of the fiber glass transom. Any spider stress cracking around the mounting bolts and transom to hull requires more inspection.

Take out 1 of the 4 engline mounting bolts, lower bolt and inspect the wood using a bore scope or screw driver looking for any gray or paper like wood.

Look at the boat bottom, should be flat without any ripples.

Test drive the boat to check out the steering, boat handling, engine starting and overall performance.

If everything checks out it’s a good boat.

Have a mechanic compression check the engine and fuel system/carbs.

Good luck,

Tom

 

[Geography 101]

Going to skip on the Starfire and not consider anything under 1999, too worried about wood rot. Since I will be new to bass boating I will have enough to worry about like operation and loading/ launching alone. Thanks for everyone's feedback

[Geography 101]

There are alot of 98 and up Astro, Stratos, Procraft, Javelin, Tracker tin  in my area and, in my price range. Surely I can find an all composite in that bunch. Has anyone ever put a list together of what year companies switched to all fiberglass?

[Captain Phil]

Around the year 2000 I went fishing at Sam Rayburn Reservoir with a buddy.   I had just sold my bass boat and we towed my friends Skeeter across I-10.  At that time, I had not planed on buying another bass boat.  While we were in Jasper Texas, I opened a newspaper and found Skeeter was having a boat clearance sale.   This was just after B.A.S.S. removed the 150 HP motor size limit.  Skeeter had a huge parking lot full of new Skeeters with 150s to sell.  We drove to the dealer in Beaumont to see what they had.  I ended up buying a 2000 Skeeter ZX 185 with a Yamaha 150 Vmax.  That boat was fully rigged with a dual console, bow mount trolling motor, front and rear depth finders and a dual axle trailer for $20K brand new.  They delivered the boat to me in Orlando for $300.  I fished out of that boat for 10 years and sold it locally for $13,500.  It was the greatest bass boat I have ever owned. No wood anywhere and the motor never gave new 10 cents worth of trouble.  If you can find one like that, buy it. 

[Catt]

1988 Skeeter Starfire 175 on a tandem trailer.

New transom, stringers, carpet, and flooring

Up grading to a 2005 175 Mercury.

 

Former member Jack (fishfordollars) Yates.

 

 

[WRB]

If the transom and stringers have been reconstructed properly it’s a good deal?.

I owned a 1988 SF175 18’6” w/175 Merc , nice boat.

Tom

[Deleted account]

The only concern with an older Skeeter is the older part, and that applies to nearly every brand.

[WRB]

Back in 2006 I moved to where I live now. My old home had a 26’ deep 3 car garage perfect for storing my bass boats.

New home garage is only 19’6” deep.

Sold the 19’”6” bass boat because too long for the new garage and bought a Triton TR175, 17’ 6” boat with folding tongue trailer that I could back straight into the garage, perfect. Went 225 hp to 115 Optimax, 75 mph to 55 mph.

The Triton single console rod locker held 8’ swimbait rods plus 15 rods in total.

Sold this boat 2 years ago when my son passed away.

My point is a 17’6” bass boat w/115 hp is ideal for entry level, easy to launch and recover, easy to tow and back up and 2005/2006 year Triton TR 175 is lower cost the larger 18’6” bass boats with 175+ hp engines.

Up grade to a spot  lock TM and decent electronics you are good to go.

Tom

  

[Woody B]

I looked at used boats for months last year.   Every one I looked at either had bad problems and/or was way overpriced.    I fish by myself most of the time so I didn't need or want a huge boat.  I ended up buying a new Tracker Classic XL.   I had been emailing a dealer about a year old Ranger RT188.  I went to look at it and they were closed.   I called while sitting at the gate.  Their answering machine said they were closing on Saturdays in December.  I left there, drove to BPS and left with my boat.   I like it.  It's plenty big, and fast enough for me.   I've added a spot lock trolling motor, active target, a 12 gallon gas tank, and extended the casting deck for more storage.   I would have bought a Pro 170, with a bigger tank and more storage but Mrs. B said the black boat would look good behind my black truck.   (Pro 170s are blue or red)

[Catt]

Personally I would look into tin boats.

[Geography 101]

Any tin boats to stay away from? How about a top 5 used tin boats to consider?

[Catt]

The two I have the most experience with Xpress & Alweld. I personally prefer welded over riveted.

 

16' length with a 48-50" bottom width minimum. 

 

I'm currently running a Alweld 1652VJT

Hull: Mod-V with 2 1/2" performance tunnel with Nautilus SX Smart trim tabs.

 

[Captain Phil]

I have owned just about every brand of bass boat made.  I no longer fish tournaments, so there are other things more important to me than speed.  Before I purchased my current boat, I looked at all the aluminum bass boats I could find.  I wanted an aluminum boat because they are light, easy to load and tow and less costly than a fiberglass bass boat.  I had previously owned a Lowe Roughneck that I used for Salt Water back country fishing and it was a good experience.  I went to Bass Pro Shop and they only had one boat on the floor that they wouldn't sell.  Trackers are better boats now than they used to be.  When I went to a Ranger dealer, I found my perfect bass boat.  It's a RT178 with a 75 Mercury 4 stroke.  I tow it with a Ford Explorer and I don't know it's back there. It will run almost 40 mph loaded, but I don't need to go that fast. My boat has a 24 volt Minn Kota, front and rear electronics with Sonar and GPS. The whole rig with an eight year factory warranty cost about 28K.  I was ready to pay cash, but they offered me a ridiculously low financing rate.  I think the whole thing with monthly covered boat storage costs me about $250 a month.  When I or my kids sell it, they will make back half the money.  The 4 stroke engine practically uses no gas. Can you buy a used boat, restore it and use it for $250 a month?  Think about it. 

 

 

[Geography 101]

Nice rig Catt, just looked at their website and they have great designs.

[Geography 101]

For me speed isn't a problem Captain Phil, I consider 40 plenty fast enough for small lakes and river fishing. I fish strictly for enjoyment. That is a good looking setup you have there.

[Catt]

  On 11/7/2022 at 12:46 PM, Geography 101 said:

For me speed isn't a problem Captain Phil, I consider 40 plenty fast enough for small lakes and river fishing. I fish strictly for enjoyment. That is a good looking setup you have there.

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That Alweld runs 42-43 mph with a 40 hp Tahotsu.

 

Don't be afraid of bigger waters, I fish Toledo Bend in that rig. You just gotta be smart, I know every public boat launch on the lake & simply trailer close to where I wanna fish. 

[Captain Phil]

  On 11/7/2022 at 12:46 PM, Geography 101 said:

For me speed isn't a problem Captain Phil, I consider 40 plenty fast enough for small lakes and river fishing. I fish strictly for enjoyment. That is a good looking setup you have there.

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The most surprising thing about the Ranger RT178 is the ride.  My Lowe Roughneck rode rough.  The Ranger rides like a much bigger boat.    In most cases, you get what you pay for.  What many people ignore is the total cost of ownership.  Everything you ever buy will eventually be sold.  What you sell it for is as significant as what you buy it for. 

[Catt]

My next tin boat will be Xpress's Hyper-Lift® Duck Boat.

 

https://xpressboats.com/hunting/hyper-lift-duck/

[Geography 101]

Wow Catt I like that! It kinda reminds me of the Havoc boats River Rat series, and I like that they at least give a starting price. I hear good things about Xpress boats.

[Catt]

@Geography 101 the Hyper-Lift® Duck Boat has the same hull design of their high performance bass hull.

 

In a 16' boat! ?