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What would you pay for a 1989 Starliner?

M

Mo Power

New member
Guys - I am not a Checkmate owner yet, but I need some advice on a rig I am considering.

There is a Starliner in Chicago. The interior was redone with inferior materials (seats are not original) and the transom has some stress cracks. It has a 150 hp Mariner Super Mag (1996) which is supposed to be a racing motor.

He is offering it to me for $5900 cash. I think his price is high, but it's hard to compare as there aren't a lot of Starliners around.

I felt one soft spot which wasn't too bad.

Is $5900 a good deal for a 27 year old boat with a questionable transom?

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/boa/5551707604.html

Thanks - Mo Power
 
These boats are getting harder to find, and although you say this one isn't perfect, it depends on if you want a project or a perfect turn key 27yr old boat (good luck with that!).
Got any pics of the transom cracks?

Having owned one of the cleanest Starliners found in recent years (I'm bragging I know, but 282 will be along shortly to confirm), I think this one looks pretty good from the pics and I like the addons (stereo, dash, non-standard interior is clean).
Although it's not original, you could use it as-is for a season or two while you save/plan to:
- address replacing the interior seating with originals
- address the transom to hang a 250 one day
- address the floor

You won't find a better looking 21' for $5-6k. I saw it recently and would have gone for it if I was in the market.
 
I paid $7k for mine a few years back. They're getting harder and harder to find. If a Liner is what you want, you might not be able to get too fussy. $5900...I'd do that. I'm not a big fan of the colors, so if you like them, I would go ahead and do it. You can probably get $2K for the motor down the road sometime.

I do know of a brand new Starliner that might be for sale for around $59K if the damn thing ever gets done.
 
Thanks Guys! How fast will this one run? Can I expect 60 mph with such a setup or am I dreaming? If I go with this one, I would definitely hang a larger motor on it in the future along with some interior upgrades.
 
It is a very nice looking hull. The 150 Super Mag is the same as the ProMax and is a high revving small displacement motor. I think 6200 or 6500, you'll have to check. They are really more suited to a lighter hull. I would be a bit surprised if you hit 60. I had a 2.5L 200 EFI on mine originally and it ran 63.

I had a friend with one with a 150 and he was happy with it but he was not a speed demon. They feel a bit heavy with a small block motor. But will still pull skiers and cruise very nicely. These boats run best with a big block 250 motor but do well with a 3.0L 225.

The price seems Ok but you need to factor in a repowering if you get itchy for speed and that is more expensive than buying with the right motor. Ask Sam about that.

I sold my fully restored 1985 for $14,500 with a 250 Etec. Not too many selling for that kind of cash but the motor only had 125 hours.

What's that finish on the dash? Looks like carbon fiber. Very cool.
 
I used to run mine the original 150hp Pro-V Yamaha and would get low 50's on a cooler day. I wasn't a speed demon, but 282 has bought it and already replaced the steering setup and added a 250XS.
It's fair to say 282 is a speed demon. :devil:
I can't wait to see how it runs!
 
knarloid said:
I used to run mine the original 150hp Pro-V Yamaha and would get low 50's on a cooler day. I wasn't a speed demon, but 282 has bought it and already replaced the steering setup and added a 250XS.
It's fair to say 282 is a speed demon. :devil:
I can't wait to see how it runs!
Click to expand...

Thanks Knarloid! I'm a speed demon too. Going with this particular boat may get too expensive since I won't be happy with the current engine.
 
Mark said:
It is a very nice looking hull. The 150 Super Mag is the same as the ProMax and is a high revving small displacement motor. I think 6200 or 6500, you'll have to check. They are really more suited to a lighter hull. I would be a bit surprised if you hit 60. I had a 2.5L 200 EFI on mine originally and it ran 63.

I had a friend with one with a 150 and he was happy with it but he was not a speed demon. They feel a bit heavy with a small block motor. But will still pull skiers and cruise very nicely. These boats run best with a big block 250 motor but do well with a 3.0L 225.

The price seems Ok but you need to factor in a repowering if you get itchy for speed and that is more expensive than buying with the right motor. Ask Sam about that.

I sold my fully restored 1985 for $14,500 with a 250 Etec. Not too many selling for that kind of cash but the motor only had 125 hours.

What's that finish on the dash? Looks like carbon fiber. Very cool.
Click to expand...

The dash does look cool with the carbon fiber styling. The boat also has an 8 speaker, 2 amp Clarion system.
 
First run in the morning

Going to go out and run the boat in the morning, will let you know how my Starliner runs with the 250 and 4 inch set back, I have a 24 fury on it now. I have a 27 fury and another 6 inches of set back I can mess with but the shop water tested The boat and hit 76 on the speedo, not sure how accurate the speedometer is.
 
Mo Power said:
Thanks Knarloid! I'm a speed demon too. Going with this particular boat may get too expensive since I won't be happy with the current engine.
Click to expand...

The Starliner is one of those hulls you need to own to appreciate.
Suck up the need for speed in the short term. Buy it. Run it to fall in love with it. Then trade the 150 up for something bigger (1-2k outlay with Mariner value) and fall in love again.

Just do it!
 
I agree, buy it run it for a summer, sell that motor and upgrade. That 150 will be an easy sell. A lot easier to find a Merc 225 or a 250 then it is to find a nice Pulsare.
 
5900 seems worth it

I paid 6k for mine and mine was turn key, i just have to mess with things. Knarloids Starliner that i have now was soooooo mint, it is really hard to find a Starliner, very few out there. 60mph for now and later upgrade the engine, jack plate, hot foot ect., make it a project. You will find very little in the 6k range, i got lucky, take a look and see if the transom is ok it is a nice boat. My project for next winter is a foot throttle, i will continue to add as i go. Good luck
 
No one has mentioned this so I'll chime in, the flite and liner hull have issues with cracks in the splash well typically caused by over tightening jack plate bolts and extreme setback. Not strength issue, just the nature of the mold. Depending on how it looks and tests out could simply be cosmetic. I'm a huge fan of that color combo and wouldn't let the hp stop the decision to buy. This is one of the most sought after hulls checkmate made and barring no major structural issues I don't think that price is too bad. I stole my Starflite for 4000 with a 225 optimax, but it has cracks from over tightened jack plate bolts and needed some severe love to bring back faded gel. Good luck with your decision.
 
I was looking at the pics some more and noticed something interesting: there are usually support panels on the inboard side of the consoles that run down to to the floor. There are none on this boat. I see a fair amount of customization on the boat (sub woofer under the console) so there may be support added to the consoles underneath. There is support on the front side too, but there is potential for the the consoles to flex a lot if leaned on or in rougher water. Too much flex could lead to stress cracks.

Also, the carpet is Merc Blue carpet, which is really wild for a Navy or Black boat. Cool boat...I'd buy it.
 
Do it!

I was out today, boat rides real smooth, seems to settle real nice at 60 and cruises great. The 250 pro xs with the fury jumped out of the hole quick. My two boat prior to this where a 20 stoker tunnel and a 22 velocity, I like the feel of the Starlner better than both of those boats.
 
pics

Not sunny and not really warm but it was a blast to get out there.
 

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