170 HP Merc in a 26' Starcraft Islander (1985)

[Barber]

Looking to replace my current engine, a 170 HP aluminum Merc. I'm looking for options and reasoning on what to replace it with. I would like something with a similar bolt pattern, to save some time and headaches. I think I would prefer a v-6 or v-8, I'm worried about weight, and is there a rule of thumb on HP. I am looking for a plate on the boat, but haven't been able to find anything yet that mentions HP.<br /><br />With the new engine would I have to change the outdrive?<br /><br />Help, summers coming soon!

 

[Lark40]

Re: 170 HP Merc in a 26' Starcraft Islander (1985)

Need more detail. Exactly what type of engine do you have now? My 1987 Starcraft has 170 hp, and is an OMC V-6, not a Mercury.

 

[Barber]

Re: 170 HP Merc in a 26' Starcraft Islander (1985)

Its a 170 HP 4 cyl. 224 C.I. MerCruiser This is an inline 4 Cyl.

 

[dmorley]

Re: 170 HP Merc in a 26' Starcraft Islander (1985)

I don't know about the outdrive, but I'm running a 4.3 V6 on a Mercury alpha 1 in a 22' starcraft islander and it works fine. The only complaint I have is that in heavy seas the bow can come crashing down pretty hard so I'm going to try installing trim tabs.

 

[Boatist]

Re: 170 HP Merc in a 26' Starcraft Islander (1985)

Don Morley<br />The trim tab will help in two ways one will help keep the bow down so will slice thru the swell a little better. But still like any aluminum it is lite and will tend to go over big swells. Better over than under.<br />Biggest thing trim tabs will help is in heavy seas is will let you slow down and still stay up on plane.

 

[butch290]

Re: 170 HP Merc in a 26' Starcraft Islander (1985)

Barber, I have a 26' with a 5.7,250 HP so power is not a problem. I'll check plate and see if it has HP on it.I cruise 22 mph at 3200 rpm top speed is 32 mph, curious what yours did with 170 HP.I put 12"-18" trim tabs on last year, it'll gain 2 mph,and is nice to have a level boat.hope this helps.

 

[butch290]

Re: 170 HP Merc in a 26' Starcraft Islander (1985)

Barber, I couldn't find any thing on hp. weight of motor and fuel 1705lb max,weight of people 1500lb

 

[Bondo]

Re: 170 HP Merc in a 26' Starcraft Islander (1985)

I put a 4.3LX in my 74, 221 Islander... No Problem... Your 26'er Will handle Any motor you care to drop in.... I suggest you find a Donor boat to strip of parts for the exchange... That way you'll have All the Parts.....<br /> Also your outdrive will need to be up-graded, as the gear ratio will be Wrong....<br />I went from 140hp at 28mph, to 205+hp at 43mph...<br />I've also found the Cure for the nasty ride of the Starcraft/Tinboat syndrone.....<br />A Bigger Glass Boat....

 

[Lark40]

Re: 170 HP Merc in a 26' Starcraft Islander (1985)

Bondo,<br /><br />I'm surprised that you're only getting 43 mph with the 205 hp. Ive checked mine with 2 GPS's and it just nips 40 mph at 4400 rpm with either the 17" or the 19" props. I have the original 2-bbl engine rated at 170 hp. <br /><br />What sterndrive do you have?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 170 HP Merc in a 26' Starcraft Islander (1985)

Lark40,<br />It's a Full Dress Lake Ontario Trolling Boat, Complete with Gear onboard....Actual weight unknown.....<br /> I've got an Alpha1, 1.65/1, turning a Land&Sea prop.... I haven't Checked the pitch on the prop, since I've been "Tuning" it.... I'm Guessing at about 21"-23"...<br />I can run an Honest 43-44mphgps in Freshwater.... <br />In the Salt off Maine I pull 53-54mphgps....<br /><br />I just Don't like the "ride"....<br />I've just bought an Old Town Atlantis....<br />25 feet of FiberGlass.....<br />I'm Hoping to Cruise, Rather than get Beat to death.....<br />The Starcraft has been a Great Project, But it's Time to Move On....<br /><br />3 to 5mph Come Hard at this speed....

 

[Barber]

Re: 170 HP Merc in a 26' Starcraft Islander (1985)

Mine topped out at 26 - 28 on flat water. I'm going to start looking for parts, thanks!

 

[Lark40]

Re: 170 HP Merc in a 26' Starcraft Islander (1985)

Barber,<br /><br />Bondo and I have 22' Islanders, so yours may weigh a lot more.<br /><br />I've heard of 26' Islanders, but never seen a photo of one. Guess they haven't been made for a while. Do you know what years they were made? I've heard that fabricating an aluminum boat cabin boat over 22' is very difficult and therefore expensive....

 

[Bondo]

Re: 170 HP Merc in a 26' Starcraft Islander (1985)

I've seen Alot of them up here on the St. Lawrence... The ones I see are Chieftans... the cabin windows,+ the cabin it self are much Taller, But the Same basic lines of the Islander.... Most are the 26'ers, thou I saw a 30'er last year.... Big Boat....<br /><br />With the 3.0l, 140hp... Mine Might get 28mph on a Good day, running down stream, with a tail wind... No make that a Gale....