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Should i buy this Starflight?

winter

winter

Active member
Hi, kind of a newbie to the forums, but a returning fan of Checkmate since owing Streams for awhile. I'm about to get back into the boat scene and came across a local guy selling an 87 Starflight, closed bow with a similar year Evinrude 200 VRO. He took the boat on trade for a car, so he doesn't have much info on it. Last time it was run was 2005. Everything looks to be in order. The hull is relatively defect free, the transom seems sound although there are the typical stress cracks. There is a jack plate, but no prop. Interior is decent, having been re-upholstered within the last few years. The paint and deck are oxidized, but looks like they will shine with a good polish. Floor was replaced, seemingly done well. I'm going to take it to the local Rude-dealer and have him thoroughly go over the engine before i commit. The trailer is a nice galvanized load-rite. What else... overall it's in OK shape for the year, but not a garage queen. There are lots of little things that need attention, cosmetics aside, but that's to be expected.
So, if the engine checks out OK and everything else being what it is, what should the offer be? The owner left that up to me to start the bidding. I'm thinking high $3k to start? What's the opinion of the group? Anything else Checkmate/Rude specific to look for? thanks for helping a returning newbie! :bigthumb:
 
cooperider said:
Pull the trigger!! But jump off if it goes over $6,000 Thats if it was me of course. :thumb:
Click to expand...

Oh sweet! I'm guessing from that price the boat is actually worth a fair amount in average condition. I'm fairly confident i can score this boat for well under $4k, actually closer to $3k to be honest, but i want to fair to the guy as well. We'll see! I should have it home tonight and off to the dealer for a proper inspection by Tuesday. Thanks for the reply!
 
As long as the motor checks out good, you have a deal for under 4k. I paid 3k for my 86 Starflite and I had to do the floor replacement, new carpet, new checkmate interior, replace the tilt unit, remove bottom paint, buff, etc. etc.. I am almost done, just waiting for Mike @ Checkmate to send the interior. It was all worth it, so Jump on it like Coop says!
JK
 
It's looking pretty good. I got it home tonight and had a chance to really crawl around it without the owner looking over my shoulder. I can't find anything terribly wrong with it other than incidentals and cosmetics. The trim cylinder seal is leaking and it needs a prop. Any suggestions for a stock 200 rude with 4" set-back/jackplate? I'm hoping to give it a spin then take it to the dealer next week, before fessing up any cash, but will hopefully score a loaner prop from the dealer. But if i were to buy the boat and get the proper prop, what size/pitch/make should i look in to?
 
I say jump at it, I got mine last year and couldnt be happeier with it once its dialed in youll love the boat. I agree with the stopping at 6k the boat with other power could sell for more but with only a 200 rude I wouldnt pay over 6k for sure. Get it now before summer is full upon us then youll have competition bidding against ya, and he may wise up to what hes got.:bigthumb: Aaron
 
Well, some more good news. I drained out 12 gallons of crap fuel, poured in some fresh fuel, then drain that. I put another 5 gallons of hi-test in and within 2 seconds it lit off like it was runjust yesterday. Sounds good too. I didn't run it very long, just enough to hear it. Now the bendix won't engage the flywheel, as i was going to test compression once i got a little warmth in the cylinders. Oh well, not a big problem. Just glad to hear the motor and smell the oil :D
 
Starter...

My Mercury will just spin the starter without engaging the starter gear when the battery is low, you may just need a re-charge or jump box.

I also wondered about the prop picture in this thread, when i clicked on the prop it looks like some sort of advertisement, it appears to be a Mercury lower unit anyway.

It's gotta be tough to chip the ear off a stainless prop like that without breaking anything else.

Someone should chime in about a good prop for this setup for you.

Good luck
 
gchildre said:
My Mercury will just spin the starter without engaging the starter gear when the battery is low, you may just need a re-charge or jump box.

I also wondered about the prop picture in this thread, when i clicked on the prop it looks like some sort of advertisement, it appears to be a Mercury lower unit anyway.

It's gotta be tough to chip the ear off a stainless prop like that without breaking anything else.

Someone should chime in about a good prop for this setup for you.

Good luck
Click to expand...

That could be. The battery was stone dead when i picked it up and it's my experience that once a battery is killed to nothing, they never seem to work right again. I'll be buying a new Optima deep cycle if i end up buying this boat.
 
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