NA - What boat is this?

[bigred177]

So I came across this boat the other day while cruising around. I was able to get in touch with the owner but he doesn't know what make or model it is (He's 72 and has owned the boat for awhile). Sorry for the very bad pictures but it was the best I could grab with all the stuff around it. The boat is around 21ft. if it helps any.

It looks like some kind of fiberglass pontoon boat or catamaran style.

He said about 5 years ago they had the engine rebuild and the boat gone through. They used it for about a year and then winterized it and it has been under a covered carport except the last 6 months. Any thoughts on the condition of the engine and systems?

 

[genetk44]

Looks like a hole in the water that is going to swallow lots of $$$$$.

 

[Henning]

No idea of the brand, though the HIN on the back will indicate it in the first three letters. The engine is a 250ci Chevy straight six, very reliable and economical. If you keep a spare set of points, a condenser and coil you will be able to fix 95% of failures in 5-10 minutes. The out drive I would put new boots on, may as well put new u-joints in while it's off. Never trim into trailer trim with the engine running and don't do hard over turns with heavy power and that will be the last time you need u-joints.

 

[bigred177]

If it makes a difference the boots and u-joints were done at the time of the engine. Or should I do it just because of the 5 years of sitting?

 

[bigred177]

Well I have two pictures of the out drive but both are at an angle such that I cannot read the tag.

 

[Henning]

If it makes a difference the boots and u-joints were done at the time of the engine. Or should I do it just because of the 5 years of sitting?

Boots are an annual thing to me, 3 years at the outside. Exhaust manifolds and rises are 5 year items as well. The boots can sink you and the manifold will destroy the engine when it corrodes through and leaks. The U-joints I always do first time I do the boots because it only takes going up to trailer trim with the engine running once to mess things up.

 

[weilke]

Why ?

 

[bigred177]

Because I can buy the whole thing for less than the value of the trailer. And because I'm also a diver and most of the place I go are only accessible by boat.

I was able to figure out the make from the registration numbers today. It is a 1974 Stern Craft according to Texas Parks and Wildlife. When I do a search for those terms though I don't get anything that looks like this boat. Anyone know anything about these boats and maybe this model now that we know the make?

 

[Henning]

If it makes a difference the boots and u-joints were done at the time of the engine. Or should I do it just because of the 5 years of sitting?

Yep, dry rot failure at 5 years is highly likely. The boot can usually sink you. If you do the boots doing the joints isn't much more. At least check em for slop and see if you can't give em a squirt of fresh grease. Boots at 5 years are due.

 

[Henning]

Because I can buy the whole thing for less than the value of the trailer. And because I'm also a diver and most of the place I go are only accessible by boat.

I was able to figure out the make from the registration numbers today. It is a 1974 Stern Craft according to Texas Parks and Wildlife. When I do a search for those terms though I don't get anything that looks like this boat. Anyone know anything about these boats and maybe this model now that we know the make?

This will make a fine boat for y'all diving lakes and quarry's, and Florida's rivers and springs. Just glass up a solid deck and service the drive before you put it in service and it ought to do ok for a dive platform; just have solid boarding ladders.

 

[bigred177]

This will make a fine boat for y'all diving lakes and quarry's, and Florida's rivers and springs. Just glass up a solid deck and service the drive before you put it in service and it ought to do ok for a dive platform; just have solid boarding ladders.

Anything should be better that the 15ft john boat I've been using the last two years. Hanging a rope ladder off of the front will make you have to work for it.