Anybody running a Starweld?

Hey guys, I just started another thread for my tabs post.

Long story short, The bolt124 tabs work great.

I just want to put in a plug for Starweld. After years and years of looking at boats I bought a new 2017 1600pro. I absolutely love it. I think they did a great job on the layout setting it up for fishing and providing a badged capacity of 6 persons. If you are into stats compare it to Alumacraft Classic, Crestliner Vision and Lund Rebel and you’ll see it fares well. The all welded hull and aluminum gauge impressed me and then price sealed the deal. I was thinking I needed a 70 – 75 hp if not 90 to drag a kid around the lake on a tube. The package I bought “only” had a 60 so I figured it was a shortcoming. Turns out that Yamaha 60 pulled two teenagers on a tube no problem! When I go fishing the boat will get me across the lake at 34 mph. I’m glad I didn’t waste my money on a larger motor. I spend most of my time fishing a spot or electric trolling. I live in the city so not having the luxury of a pole shed I appreciate how they sized this boat without compromising the layout. It fits in my 2-1\2 car garage with both vehicles. I think the look of the boat is beautiful as well…not so much on the new Spark models. To address the listing point, I too noticed the listing but only at a particular medium speed. I believe it is prop torque and correct it with a slight steering and speed adjustment. I have considered moving batteries to the starboard side but it’s not enough of a problem to actually prompt me to do it. It runs true at higher and lower speed so I believe it is a matter of getting the boat on plane properly and I figure it’s my job to drive the boat. I have never had a problem with porposing. I tilt the motor all the way down and don’t have to adjust it at all. Bottom line is I’m glad I had the Starweld option otherwise I probably wouldn’t have a boat.

Just woke to an email letting me know about a new post to this thread so I thought I would provide an update. I’m the guy that started it with a post about a listing problem.
I got in touch with Smoker Craft last fall because the fixed tabs the dealer installed were not correcting the list. I must have found the right person because they offered to ship the boat back and forth to look at it in New Paris IN where they manufacture them. I opted tow it out so I could fish lake Erie on the way out. They water tested the boat and looked at how the fixed tabs were installed. They apparently were not flush with the bottom of the hull. They removed them, welded the holes, reinstalled them correctly and repainted the transom. They water tested and I’m told it runs great now. I will going out to pick it up in two weeks and will spend a few days on Erie chasing walleye to see for myself.
Assuming the problem is corrected, as I’m told it is, I’ll be thrilled with Smoker Craft but still not so happy with the dealer.

TheFamousGrouse wrote:

I saw the Starwelds at the Sportsman’s show and I seriously liked the layout of the 1700 and 1800. Build quality, fit, and finish seemed good for freshwater midwest boat. Like the idea of welded hull. My old Crestliner sportfish was dry as a bone even after she was 15 years old.

I’m a little concerned about them being a relatively new brand. Not a lot of feedback out there one way or the other and most of the posts I’ve seen on other forums are new buyers so question being have any potential flaws shown up yet?

Anybody running one? Anybody else considering one?

Yeah, yeah, I know. Buy Lund. I’ll give you three guesses at how much Lund wants for a similar boat. Hint: It’s more. Surprise.

Grouse

TheFamousGrouse wrote:

I saw the Starwelds at the Sportsman’s show and I seriously liked the layout of the 1700 and 1800. Build quality, fit, and finish seemed good for freshwater midwest boat. Like the idea of welded hull. My old Crestliner sportfish was dry as a bone even after she was 15 years old.

I’m a little concerned about them being a relatively new brand. Not a lot of feedback out there one way or the other and most of the posts I’ve seen on other forums are new buyers so question being have any potential flaws shown up yet?

Anybody running one? Anybody else considering one?

Yeah, yeah, I know. Buy Lund. I’ll give you three guesses at how much Lund wants for a similar boat. Hint: It’s more. Surprise.

Grouse

hi i own a 19 ft Starweld Flex by Starcraft which is owned by smokercraft, like a lot of the bosters here i felt it listed to port, i returned it to Boat World in Everett Wa and requested it be fixed by warrenty, they added these trim tabs which solved the problem

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Phillip and group,
Having owned various boats(12’Carolina Skiff, 16’ Ashcroft center console, 20’Starweld 20DC, and several others; just wanted to share my experiences.
There are different types of hulls, bay boats, flat bottom , deep-v, displacement, and many tri-hull variations. When you have a reverse chine
Type hull, the boat will plane out and ride dry. However it is sensitive to balance. Fore and aft and side to side. The North style all-species boat are an all around compromise. When I used to use different boats I noticed list, caused by uneven loading and planing at high speeds. Every boat I have ever been on has some list from time to time. After experiencing it , I investigated corrections. Every good independent boat man I have ever spoken with , gave me the same advice. Install the hydrofoil on waterline anti-cavitation plate. The brand I always use is stingray. I know you will believe otherwise, but a small amount of lift/pressure exerted on a balanced object, will effect the balanced object. A greater pressure exerted on the same balanced object closer to the balance point, neutral point will be required for the same effect.
If you install a stinger model , I guarantee you will be amazed.
Not only will you not propose, if will not dig in on launch to plane. Also, it will plane at a slower speed. (16-19mph) My boat is fully rigged
(Three batteries,two anchors, tool kit, safety kit, 7 flotation devices, three paddles, two boat hooks, two nets, 45 quart cooler, and miscellaneous electronics, fish finders, vhf radio, Bimini top , 150 hp f150xb long foot Yamaha 4stroke and 35gal tank. Before I tuned the boat it was ok , but I noticed some stability issues. I went to Walmart and bought my stinger by sting ray hydrofoil. 4 secs to perfect plane and extremely stable.
If you invest in trim tabs , know that when properly adjusted they will cut 3-5mph off you cruise speed. Proper means leveled out.
They have to be level with the bottom. If you hang an outboard 36 inches on one side , that must be balanced. Sounds reasonable. The boat is balanced. Some additional feature unbalanced it. They are cargo, engines, people, gear and live wells , coolers and obviously batteries and trolling motors. Don’t be surprised that some rigs need trim tabs and hydrofoils.
Just my experience with 53years of boating.
Cliff

One more thing; that little trimmer zinc anode May also need adjusting.
Also for Dan Pearson; What is your top speed? Is it 50+mph.
I would not be surprised if it was (60) sixty.
Cliff