1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild - Chapter 2

[Pcolafisher]

Are you totally completed post-splash?
Cheers

 

[Pcolafisher]

Are you totally completed post-splash?
Cheers

 

[Pcolafisher]

Sorry about the double post. I don’t know whether it was iboats or my IPad.
Cheers

 

[alipinski397]

Are you totally completed post-splash?
Cheers

Almost complete! Haven't had any time to get the updates posted but going to try and do that tomorrow. I'm in between "out of town" trips this weekend and supposed to rain all day tomorrow so I think I'll be able to fit it in.

 

[alipinski397]

OK been busy the past couple weeks and finally getting a chance to post the updates.

Next up was making the live-well lid/seat and back rest. They got a few coats of epoxy and then off to get foam and vinyl wrapped.

The T-top support braces also got installed.

 

[alipinski397]

For the bilge hatch - I cut out for flush mount hinges with some wood chisels and a dremel. Touched up with some epoxy and a some deck over to match. Also added a gas strut to hold it open when needed.

I installed the live-well control valve on the side of the console.

The original bilge pumps didn't seem up to par the first trips out. One seemed ok but the other was intermittent so I just replaced both to be on the safe side.

 

[alipinski397]

Hacked a couple holes in the hull for some flush mount nav lights. Wired those up and also the compass back light.

Center console door got some new plexiglass and a new latch.

 

[alipinski397]

I noticed a slight bit of transom flex happening in the top quarter of the transom while on the trailer (getting in and out and bouncing a bit on the swim platform). I didn't notice it while running the boat but I could get it flexing while on the trailer so I know it would be flexing even more while trailing down the road. I could get about 1/4" of flex in the top center of the transom.

So i picked up a piece of 1/8 aluminum and got it bent to the right angle for the transom and bolted it on the underside of the gunnel and through the transom. Problem solved, no flex and super solid feeling now.

I covered up all the holes and new bolts in the gunnel with a piece of composite deck cladding and moved the rear cleats on top of that.

 

[alipinski397]

Gander Outdoors in our area is having 40% off store-wide so I took advantage and upgraded the helix to a 9 with Mega Side Imaging and also picked up a VHF radio.

Mounted those and the new SI transducer as well as moved the antenna to the T-top.

Its getting to be that time of year up here where i need to keep the boat from filling with leaves so I found an inexpensive cover to fit the bill for now.

 

[alipinski397]

That catches things up as of today.

I still have a short list of things to do but those will have a wait a couple weeks. A week long fishing trip is planned to the UP of Michigan starting Wednesday. Priorities right?

Ill get a few photos of it all decked out and in action for you next week!

My short to do list:

• Make a console side access panel
• Interior lights
• Gunnel trim
• Before duck season:
  • make a layout boat mount
  • remove front seat cushions and replace with temporary solid boards. (want to keep the cushions nice as things will take a beating during duck season)

 

[kcassells]

man... you better be catching some fish real soon! Looks nice.

 

[oldrem]

Nice progress. Can't go wrong with Rule pumps

 

[old islander]

That poor islander suffers from so many multiple personality disorders I don't think Dr. Spock or Dr. Phil could cure it.
It's like it belongs in the LGBTQ..WXYZ community.

 

[alipinski397]

Fishing trip was a success. Boat held up and ran great. No major issues to report.

Was pretty windy the whole week so we mainly fished for perch but did get out one day after lake trout and salmon but no success on those.

 

[oldrem]

Looks like you had a great time. Pics are awesome. Where were you?

 

[alipinski397]

Looks like you had a great time. Pics are awesome. Where were you?

Drummond island

 

[Pcolafisher]

Wow! The boat is beautiful! Your trip reminds me of growing up in SW Michigan and visiting my grandparents near Ludington. I’ll bet those perch were great eating. I still have family up there but we don’t make it up there often. We are loving panhandle Florida for retirement.
Cheers

 

[alipinski397]

Wow! The boat is beautiful! Your trip reminds me of growing up in SW Michigan and visiting my grandparents near Ludington. I’ll bet those perch were great eating. I still have family up there but we don’t make it up there often. We are loving panhandle Florida for retirement.
Cheers

Thanks, I was just over in Ludington a few weeks ago staying at the State Park.

 

[Ten boat Harri]

Your story and photos have been a God send for me. I acquired a 22 foot Islander over a year ago and I am in the process of converting to O/B by installing a bracket. I am going really slow because I am not really sure of what I am doing. So far I have removed the old engine, replaced the rotten transom (had to remove back deck) to install new one. I plan to keep the cabin, helm etc intact to suit my needs. Perhaps salmon fishing in N Channel of L.Huron and overnight behind islands in good weather. I have the O/B bracket purchased from Mobycool, Fl. I am currently trying to figure out the floor and a compartment in the bilge. Got some good tips also from "Born Again Boating" on YouTube. I am in Canada and the boat is not far from you, on the N Shore above Little Current, On. Would you have any suggestions on floor reconstruction, or other cautionary tales. I have read on iboat elsewhere that I should remove the foam. What do you think?

Harri Liljalehto

 

[alipinski397]

Your story and photos have been a God send for me. I acquired a 22 foot Islander over a year ago and I am in the process of converting to O/B by installing a bracket. I am going really slow because I am not really sure of what I am doing. So far I have removed the old engine, replaced the rotten transom (had to remove back deck) to install new one. I plan to keep the cabin, helm etc intact to suit my needs. Perhaps salmon fishing in N Channel of L.Huron and overnight behind islands in good weather. I have the O/B bracket purchased from Mobycool, Fl. I am currently trying to figure out the floor and a compartment in the bilge. Got some good tips also from "Born Again Boating" on YouTube. I am in Canada and the boat is not far from you, on the N Shore above Little Current, On. Would you have any suggestions on floor reconstruction, or other cautionary tales. I have read on iboat elsewhere that I should remove the foam. What do you think?

Harri Liljalehto

Harri, sorry for the delayed reply. I wasn't getting email notifications from iboats lately for some reason. So you may be further along now and my replies may be too late for your progress but anyway...

If its currently factory foam, definitely replace it.

As for floor replacement - if you have an older hull (pre v5 i think..?) without the extra supports that help tie the bottom of the hull to the sides it would be a good idea to try and reinforce that area before putting a new floor in. I would have to dig up some photos to better explain.