1973 ISLANDER REFIT

[DarrinT]

So I tried to sell "OUTTRIPPER" and had no takers - so I'm going to refit her!
Owned since 2007 , repowered with a rebuilt Merc 140 in 2010 when old engine pooped.
THE GOOD
1) Engine from 1971 Larson runabout - rebuilt late 1980's when boat was rammed and sank, purchased from Apprentice mechanic that reinstalled after it came back from rebuild shop - then he bought the boat! I bought it from himand swapped e'm myself using my handy buddy to lift with his small tractor bucket. Been doing Yeoman service ever since . 425hrs when purchased but no current hours - estimate another 500 .

2) Tops totally pro redone approx 2005 and are in excellent shape . I never used the camper top and side zippered windows with screens - just the Bimini.

THE BAD
1) Leaks like a sieve - actually sank Sept 2020 in 6 inches of water while beached overnight at a campsite. So Rivet Bucking and Gluvit

2) Floor totally rotten

3) Seats totally rotten

4) Set up for 65 liter dual tanks (approx 17 U.S. gal each )- one rusted out and had to be pulled - so new tanks

5) new ram pump needed old one pooped

Calling this thread a REFIT not a RESTORE as I'm only gonna do what's listed above - so unlikely to paint hull or try to make her as perfect as some of the beauties here.



Dawn treading in the dew in better days



Georgian Bay Camping



Current state of interior. Oops - used it like that for years! Yah I'm a bum.

I've actually hired a very handy buddy to work on it with me. Timeline for splash Mid- August in time for annual boat camping trip taken first week After Labour Day for last 27 years with same group of guys.

 

[Moserkr]

Those old islanders are pretty cool! Sounds like you have a good plan of attack.

 

[Alumarine]

How's the transom?

 

[DarrinT]

How's the transom?

Solid but aging - easy future fix is alu plates bolted right through - buddy did it and worked great. Yup Butt ugly .

 

[DarrinT]

Anybody have a handle on how much Gluvit it takes for two coats in one of these hulls?

 

[captainnate]

I did one one coat on an 18 foot boat with one quart. I had a little extra at the end, but not enough for a second coat. I'd say you need two quarts.

 

[Watermann]

One of my favorites the old school Islander that have the look that hits my eye as super cool.

 

[DarrinT]

One of my favorites the old school Islander that have the look that hits my eye as super cool.

I've seen this hull described as a boat within a boat !

 

[DarrinT]

Looking into refitting my aluminum Starcraft Islander with plastic planks and indoor-outdoor carpet. Would love to not put wood back into a 1973 eh?

 

[matt167]

Starboard will work, and is a composite but is $$$$$$$$

Properly sealed plywood will last a very long time

 

[GA_Boater]

Not that I know of and I wouldn't do it.

Plywood deck adds structural reinforcement that planks can't. I also wouldn't do anything but plywood for the transom.

It would help to know if you have and outboard or I/O Islander.

 

[jbcurt00]

Not a good idea, no structural strength, certainly not enough for a transom.

 

[DarrinT]

Not that I know of and I wouldn't do it.

Plywood deck adds structural reinforcement that planks can't. I also wouldn't do anything but plywood for the transom.

It would help to know if you have and outboard or I/O Islander.

Inboard Merc 140
Transom only has a tiny section of rot along the aluminum channel its bottom edge sits on - 1 in high and 6 in long. So I'm going to ignore that for now.
The refit means new floor and seats - both totally rotted

I'm thinking laying plastic deck planks longitudinally in place of plywood

Structurally the alu ribs should do the job do prevent the sides from flexing
I hope ! So maybe one or two extra alu stringers for strength ?
Parallel to the keel and rivetted in.

Then in/out carpet to drain through the slots (narrow)

I think the floor rotted cause each rib holds a small puddle of water under the deck. Each rib has a tiny drain hole that plugs real easy.

My Islander is set up with dual fuel tanks that sit in cradles separate from the floor on either side of the boat, their covers forming a foot rest under the raised front seat/helm- so there is no under floor tank making fiddling with alu supports/beams a snap

Thoughts / critiques?

 

[DarrinT]

Started a thread on the restoration forum for extra input regarding plastic transom / flooring

So anybody done a plastic transom?

Looking into refitting my aluminum Starcraft Islander with plastic planks and indoor-outdoor carpet. Would love to not put wood back into a 1973 eh?

forums.iboats.com

 

[Grub54891]

Don't know what type of plastic planks you are talking about, but the ones on my dock are going south. They are the ribbed type and they are swelling in spots and feel soft. I wouldn't touch them on a boat. They do make an engineered board for that purpose, just can't think of what it's called right now. However I've never seen it in use.

 

[matt167]

Again, the decking you can use King Starboard but it's $$$, yet available in 4x8 sheets.. Trex decking or plastic dock planks do not belong in a boat.

My dad did probably the cheapest fishermans refit he possibly could do to his 1966 Islander which he pulled out of a field. Painted the plywood deck he put down with battleship grey rustoleum on both sides and edges. Used a sand grit mix on the top. Probably used a couple gallons of the stuff painting the whole boat

 

[dingbat]

The thermal expansion of starboard is outrageous. Had to slot my kick rails almost 3/8” to keep them from bowing.

Can’t imagine how you would compensate for that amount of movement with a transom

 

[jbcurt00]

Started a thread on the restoration forum for extra input regarding plastic transom / flooring

So anybody done a plastic transom?

Looking into refitting my aluminum Starcraft Islander with plastic planks and indoor-outdoor carpet. Would love to not put wood back into a 1973 eh?

forums.iboats.com

Here or there, not both. Merged

 

[DarrinT]

The thermal expansion of starboard is outrageous. Had to slot my kick rails almost 3/8” to keep them from bowing.

Can’t imagine how you would compensate for that amount of movement with a transom

WOW good to know re expansion
Might kill the budget too!
Is it strong enough to handle being used as a engine cover to be walked on ?
Any Pics of the kick rail job handy ?

 

[classiccat]

Cool boat and history! Hopefully you and your helper are still friends by the time you splash .

Being honest here, that's a really aggressive schedule (4mos) especially on such a large vessel. With it leaking as much as it is, you may more than just a few compromised rivets; these older models were prone to fatigue cracks in the outer chine & spray rail. Corrosion has also knocked more than a few projects off of their rails.

Lookin' forward to the tear-down to see what kind of canvas you're working with!