Starcraft 1957 Ski Champ Replica Makes Waves
Mar 18, 2025
By Mathew Channer
Photos credit: Mathew Channer
Among the many shiny new boats at January’s Toronto International Boat Show a surprise contender stood out, a replica of the Starcraft 1957 Ski Champ, taking pride of place near the main entrance.
Unless you’re a rabid restoration fan, it’s a replica in all the ways that matter (modeled after the 1956 Chevrolet) plus it delivers 2025 performance. A modern aluminum hull shape and a new Mercury 25 HP outboard bring fuel efficiency, speed and stability in line with today’s reality. The original classic top gives the boat its traditional lines, and a sweet retro paint job completes the look.
Inside, the cockpit is finished without gauges or switches, just a throttle and wheel, keeping things like the good old days. Modern upholstery techniques mean you can expect longevity out of seating that still reflects a previous era. The boat comes with a matching reinforced trailer. It’s priced at just $25,000 CAD.
While the ’57 Ski Champ Replica was initially a novelty piece, its catchy shape, colour and digestible price rapidly gained attention among nostalgic boaters. Starcraft are now planning to roll out 200 units this year. 80 of these have already been sold!
“It’s like a memory piece,” says Mike Reesor, Starcraft National Sales Manager for Aluminum Fish Boats for Canada. “People are talking about how they learned to water ski behind it, or their parents or grandparents had one.”
Take a boat trip down memory lane and check out the Ski Champ replica here.
