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Which boat?

Discussion in 'Boats, Blinds, & Gadgets Forum' started by Naladog, Dec 19, 2017.

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  1. Dec 19, 2017 #1
    Naladog

    Naladog New Member

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    B4E6EED0-2026-4FB8-A99E-4A55A822AEDF.jpeg 1EDFB0AA-877E-4EAB-9F69-85AA6F094A5F.jpeg Buddies and i are looking for a great lakes diver boat for both tending and hunting out of without using layout boat. Have an opportunity to pickup both below boats.

    1979 starcraft mariner 21’ CC with 88 mercury black max 200 hanging on it. Has a custom built offshore transom. Diamond plated flooring.

    ——or——-
    2008 Seaway Skiff 19’ that is gutted and would be a rebuild project.

    Obviously there is a price difference of the two due to motor right off the bat but if i went with the starcraft i would probably replace the motor right away. Not sure im comfortable with going well offshore with a 19 year old outboard.

    Thoughts, comments, suggestions, opinions on which boat would perform the best all while taking the “captain factor” out of the conversation.
     
    Naladog, Dec 19, 2017
    Naladog, Dec 19, 2017
    #1
  2. Dec 19, 2017 #2
    warrenwaterfowler

    warrenwaterfowler Senior Refuge Member

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    Starcraft
     
    warrenwaterfowler, Dec 19, 2017
    warrenwaterfowler, Dec 19, 2017
    #2
  3. Dec 19, 2017 #3
    JohnBZ

    JohnBZ Elite Refuge Member

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    Go with the mariner. As for the motor 19 years old is nothing. The motor on my main rig is 43 years old and still kicking. I've abused the heck out of it too. Where about on the great lakes are you planning using it ?
     
    JohnBZ, Dec 19, 2017
    JohnBZ, Dec 19, 2017
    #3
  4. Dec 19, 2017 #4
    Naladog

    Naladog New Member

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    All the big water. Erie, saginaw bay, michigan
     
    Naladog, Dec 19, 2017
    Naladog, Dec 19, 2017
    #4
  5. Dec 19, 2017 #5
    bill cooksey

    bill cooksey Elite Refuge Member

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    What is the age on the motor? You listed as an '88, but then you wrote "19 year old." While I'm not scared off by a 30 year old motor for most things, I'd be a little nervous on big water in the winter if that was all I had to count on.
     
    bill cooksey, Dec 19, 2017
    bill cooksey, Dec 19, 2017
    #5
  6. Dec 19, 2017 #6
    stevena198301

    stevena198301 Elite Refuge Member Supporting Member

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    Hey, I was OK with thinking I was 24 again... :nutz
     
    stevena198301, Dec 19, 2017
    stevena198301, Dec 19, 2017
    #6
  7. Dec 19, 2017 #7
    Naladog

    Naladog New Member

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    I dont count so good....29 year old. :)
     
    Naladog, Dec 19, 2017
    Naladog, Dec 19, 2017
    #7
    Duck_Hunter_TX likes this.
  8. Dec 19, 2017 #8
    marsh man dan

    marsh man dan Elite Refuge Member

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    Statecraft and upgrade the motor and get a kicker
     
    marsh man dan, Dec 19, 2017
    marsh man dan, Dec 19, 2017
    #8
  9. Dec 20, 2017 #9
    JohnBZ

    JohnBZ Elite Refuge Member

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    This is good advise. Even if you didn't update the main engine right away and added a newer 9.9 or 15 kicker you would be in Good shape. If rather be in a boat with an older but reliable main engine with a kicker motor than a boat with just 1 engine no matter the age. I would also add a drift sock. It can save your life in the event of a power failure.
     
    JohnBZ, Dec 20, 2017
    JohnBZ, Dec 20, 2017
    #9
  10. Dec 20, 2017 #10
    markd

    markd Elite Refuge Member

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    Starcraft.

    Every one of those Mariners I have been around has needed their transom to be rebuilt. If they did some shady "custom" work you could be in for an expensive welding job to get it right, make sure you check it out pretty close.

    Awesome boats overall. I have killed a pile of ducks out of one and caught as many fish.
     
    markd, Dec 20, 2017
    markd, Dec 20, 2017
    #10
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