THE BIGGEST TIN RUNABOUT

[satx78247]

Friends,

I've started looking for a LARGE (over 20 feet to 24 feet would be best) tin runabout to fix up & modify into a dedicated Gulf Cost fishing machine.

Either OB-powered or an I/O open fisherman would be OK (especially if the I/O rig is Mercruiser or Volvo powered).

Do any of you know who made such a BIG/DEEP/BEAMY tin hull & even WHERE to look for such a beast??
(I'm buying yet another Ford F250 Diesel PU w/ZF transmission, to replace the truck that was stolen last Fall & that "would pull a house".)

yours, tex

 

[LDUBS]

When I read your post the first that come to mind was North River boats. I don't see too many used ones around. And, of course they are $$$$$

 

[ProduceMan]

Something like this? https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/boa/d/22-bayrunner/6523998054.html?

 

[gatorglenn]

Friends,

I've started looking for a LARGE (over 20 feet to 24 feet would be best) tin runabout to fix up & modify into a dedicated Gulf Cost fishing machine.

Either OB-powered or an I/O open fisherman would be OK (especially if the I/O rig is Mercruiser or Volvo powered).

Do any of you know who made such a BIG/DEEP/BEAMY tin hull & even WHERE to look for such a beast??
(I'm buying yet another Ford F250 Diesel PU w/ZF transmission, to replace the truck that was stolen last Fall & that "would pull a house".)

yours, tex

I know these are pretty common up here, around the Great Lakes.


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[satx78247]

LDUBS; ProduceMan; gatorglynn,

A few points:

1. I've never seen or heard of a North River boat. = Must NOT be sold here.
2. I've NEVER seen any LUND, other than a garvey/johnboat style hull around south TX.
(LOTS of Lund BIG johnboats, though.)
and
3. I'm NOT looking for a boat that is $$$$$$$$$, like the one in CA. = I'm looking for "a project" to redo to suit me.

THANKS, gents.

yours, tex

 

[EZ707]

Look for an older Starcraft Islander. Great hulls that are very customizable.


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[Weldorthemagnificent]

X2 on the islander.


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[LDUBS]

Well, if it were me I guess I would keep a lookout on craigslist sites within an acceptable radius until something that met my needs popped up.

That Islander is a nice looking boat.

 

[earl60446]

Yep, Starcraft Islander would probably be your best bet. Nice high gunnels and lots of them out there.
See a lot of them on the great lakes.

Tim

 

[eshaw]

The Islanders look like some really good boats that can be had reasonably. It looks like the ones with a hard top and an outboard are a little less common than the I/O setups. The v6 would be nice, I just don't think I'd want to give up the deck space if I was looking for a big boat though. It would make a good river boat for the Mississippi too.

 

[satx78247]

EZ707. et. al.,

I've never seen an Islander in the flesh but it LOOKS like a NICE boat from the photos. = Looks like THE boat to re-format for the salt.
(I'll start bird-dogging craigslist daily until I find one.)

IF I could find one with a DEAD or DYING I/O it would be swell, as I know where there is a Mercruiser 140HP, controls, OD, etc. for "almost free"/200.oo cash, that has very low hours (like less than 50 since it was rebuilt) & that was in a 1976 ski-boat that was wrecked in the stem area, when a drunk ran it into a stone retaining wall.
(The stern area looks undamaged.)

THANKS, tex

 

[EZ707]

EZ707. et. al.,

I've never seen an Islander in the flesh but it LOOKS like a NICE boat from the photos. = Looks like THE boat to re-format for the salt.
(I'll start bird-dogging craigslist daily until I find one.)

IF I could find one with a DEAD or DYING I/O it would be swell, as I know where there is a Mercruiser 140HP, controls, OD, etc. for "almost free"/200.oo cash, that has very low hours (like less than 50 since it was rebuilt) & that was in a 1976 ski-boat that was wrecked in the stem area, when a drunk ran it into a stone retaining wall.
(The stern area looks undamaged.)

THANKS, tex

I really suggest going with an OB model. It really gives the boat a roomy feeling. I almost had one for $700 that I almost took but the guy was super sketchy and had zero paperwork on anything.


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[Shaugh]

I'd suggest you try a nationwide craigslist search engine like this:

https://www.onecraigs.com/

just search for brand names or even something like "20ft aluminum boat" will give you lots to see and compare... maybe even travel..

https://www.onecraigs.com/craigslist-search/index.htm?q=20%20ft%20aluminum%20boat


one from Houston:
https://houston.craigslist.org/boa/d/20-ft-aluminum-shrimp-boat/6484202185.html

 

[satx78247]

Friends,

I believe that I've found MY STARCRAFT. = A 1973, 22 foot open boat with a 165HP (230CI Chevy based I/O) & Mercruiser outdrive. - It's available from a estate in the DFW area.
(The engine has 318 hours since it was rebuilt, with the papers to document the work.)
The deep/wide tin boat is on a NICE/shop-built tandem trailer with 4 decent tires.


It was last used in SEP 2017, shortly before the PO passed away on 02OCT17.

I talked to the executor of the estate an hour ago & he wants it GONE for 600.oo plus the unpaid storage fees. = About 1,000.oo total.

The hull is in decent shape, inasmuch as it was repainted about 3 years ago but needs a complete remodeling of the interior seating & trim, which is fine since I can re-do it to suit me.
(The seating/trim looks tired & about like you would expect after being exposed to the TX Sun for most of >4 decades but it's all there Terry Garcia, our local "upholstery guru lady", to use for patterns.)

THANKS for your advice, tex

 

[LDUBS]

Can't wait to see the pic's. Congrats.

 

[satx78247]

LOUBS,

"Color me" PLEASED & LUCKY clear down to the ground. = Presuming that "Terri" has the time to do the interior soon, it should look nice & be re-launched in time for the late Spring boating season down on the salt out of Aransas Pass, TX.

Note: As best as I can tell from looking at StarCraft photos on the IBOATS site of "restorations & renovations", I believe that it's called a HOLIDAY IV.

yours, tex

 

[gatorglenn]

LOUBS,

"Color me" PLEASED & LUCKY clear down to the ground. = Presuming that "Terri" has the time to do the interior soon, it should look nice & be re-launched in time for the late Spring boating season down on the salt out of Aransas Pass, TX.

Note: As best as I can tell from looking at StarCraft photos on the IBOATS site of "restorations & renovations", I believe that it's called a HOLIDAY IV.

yours, tex

wow that a great deal. Congratulations


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[EZ707]

What a score!


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[satx78247]

gatorglynn; EZ707,

To quote an old saying: "Even a blind hog sometimes finds an acorn."
(The executor said that he wished that "that eyesore" was at someone else's home. - I agreed with him, as long as it was at mine.)

Now, if I could just find a period photo or factory brochure of what it looked like when new.
(My beloved Darla says that it should be at, least "externally restored".)

yours, tex

 

[eshaw]

Congrats on your acquisition! Type 1973 starcraft sales brochure into your search bar. When the results pop up you'll see a picture of a boat with a sectional view that states they build the good times into every starcraft. Click it and go to the visit tab. It will give you A LOT of info on these. Colors, optional equipment, etc.. Enjoy. I like working on boats too and I'm trying to find a deal on one myself, looks like a great platform. If something would happen and you lose out on this I'd look at Chieftans also.