1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Huron Angler

Admiral
Joined
Apr 7, 2009
Messages
6,025
Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Aha, so that's my problem. I recently had to spend time in the decompression chamber on my way back up from installing the plug in a centre of the transom drained boat who's owner had committed the cardinal sin and launched without it. :eek:

Next time I'll remember to only offer my diving services to boat owners who's plug is installed off centre. Should reduce the decomp time yeah? :p

TII

Where did you get certified for open water diving? :p

Triton you crack me up:D
 

reavesga

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 14, 2010
Messages
165
Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Actually, I think that the reason the plug is offset is because the engine was originally an OMC Stringer with the big hole, so they offset the plug. All the boats in the pictures are Mercruiser boats.
 

jasoutside

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2009
Messages
13,269
Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

My 1993 has it in the same place.

Hey GA, I still don't think we have seen any shots of your rig have we? Well post up man!!:D

Stitch two islander hulls together.....

Well yah, but pretty much everything short of that I bet:D

Ok I figured it out.

Everyone get a pen and paper!

The boats that have the drain hole off center are all owned by weird people

Good call NB, I wrote it down, stuck it on the frige:D

Aha, so that's my problem. I recently had to spend time in the decompression chamber on my way back up from installing the plug in a centre of the transom drained boat who's owner had committed the cardinal sin and launched without it. :eek:

Next time I'll remember to only offer my diving services to boat owners who's plug is installed off centre. Should reduce the decomp time yeah? :p

TII

Well, sounds like you did things the right way though TII. I have seen guys simply reach down there to put the plug in, bad idea. They are thinking heck, it's not that deep, the pressure can't be that great; only to pull their hand back totally crushed and mangled from the forces of the deep! Silly, rookie, plug replacing mistake.

Glad to hear you are good to go though.:D

Actually, I think that the reason the plug is offset is because the engine was originally an OMC Stringer with the big hole, so they offset the plug. All the boats in the pictures are Mercruiser boats.

Yup, that is what I am thinking too. All my comrades around here were way smarter than I and started with Merc's which made their lives way easier. Like most things in my world, I suppose I have chosen the road less traveled (aka, the really hard way of doing things). Cheers!
 

jasoutside

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2009
Messages
13,269
Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

OK, here is some good stuff...

So, I won that auction for those super cheap Yates keel rollers right? When I got home yesterday there sits the box, 48 hours after I made payment. Fast ship!

I pop it open and find my 12" keel rollers plus...
P1030461.jpg


I was emailing him back and forth about what I might want for my bow stop, never really decided on anything. So, he threw them all in! Black V Block Bow Stop, Poly V Block Bow Stop, Roller Bow Stop - no charge! Even threw in that light tester deal for nothing, cool!

Anyway, Trailer Parts Depot, they were awesome! They aren't very good at communicating through email but they shipped super fast and I sure got a lot for my dollar (you guys know I love that)!!:D
 

reavesga

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 14, 2010
Messages
165
Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

You can convert to mercruiser. That is what I am doing right now on my crestliner Norseman. Basically the sam as an islander.

Talking about 2 ft itis wondering if anyone knows whre a 21ft chieftan might be for sale. Project prefered.
 

jasoutside

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2009
Messages
13,269
Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

You can convert to mercruiser. That is what I am doing right now on my crestliner Norseman. Basically the sam as an islander.

Talking about 2 ft itis wondering if anyone knows whre a 21ft chieftan might be for sale. Project prefered.

Yup, that would be my plan at the moment. The V6 has been waiting vary patiently to make it on my short list!

PM yur way!
 

SC's Forever!

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 26, 2010
Messages
42
Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Jason, I do think you are enjoying this entirely TOO much!!!! But then again, thats why WE all do it!!! Just found your blog yesterday and after reading it all I must say I've a number of comments to make regarding your questions/comments. TOO many to do at one setting, but just wanted to encourage you and summarize my work....I started out w/a 1975 21'StarCraft
Chieftain(Cabin job) with the intention of overnighting down on the Gulf coast.
The overlylarge splashwell was the first thing to be reduced to roughly half the height and fore n aft length. The cabin took up so much fishing room, even after cutting a 2'x4' "cockpit" hole in front of the windshield and standing on the V-berths to fish, I finally removed the cabin(only about 25/30 rivets per side!!) and modified it into a center console......Ready for my 3rd. re-build as my preferences and use have changed over the past 20 years of ownership.....
One last comment, then I'll save the rest (an hopefully pics) till later....You commented you were "in fresh water".....IF you have the least bit of salt present and you used any type of zinc primer on the bare aluminum you have made a "battery"(two active metals and an electrolyte(salt water)= a Battery!!!! Electrolisis will make your hull look like swiss cheese and be as strong as tin foil in just a short time!!!! Please DON'T ask me how I know!!!
Later.....Jim in Hammond, La.
P.S....Aluminum Salt Water Boaters MUST use an epoXy type primer!!!!
 

fshngho

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 1, 2009
Messages
1,332
Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

<"Electrolisis will make your hull look like swiss cheese and be as strong as tin foil in just a short time!!!! Please DON'T ask me how I know!!!">

Uhh, what? I thought that is what the sacrificial anodes were for. Sorry, I have to ask how you know.:confused:
 

jasoutside

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2009
Messages
13,269
Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Jason, I do think you are enjoying this entirely TOO much!!!! But then again, thats why WE all do it!!! Just found your blog yesterday and after reading it all I must say I've a number of comments to make regarding your questions/comments. TOO many to do at one setting, but just wanted to encourage you and summarize my work....I started out w/a 1975 21'StarCraft
Chieftain(Cabin job) with the intention of overnighting down on the Gulf coast.
The overlylarge splashwell was the first thing to be reduced to roughly half the height and fore n aft length. The cabin took up so much fishing room, even after cutting a 2'x4' "cockpit" hole in front of the windshield and standing on the V-berths to fish, I finally removed the cabin(only about 25/30 rivets per side!!) and modified it into a center console......Ready for my 3rd. re-build as my preferences and use have changed over the past 20 years of ownership.....
One last comment, then I'll save the rest (an hopefully pics) till later....You commented you were "in fresh water".....IF you have the least bit of salt present and you used any type of zinc primer on the bare aluminum you have made a "battery"(two active metals and an electrolyte(salt water)= a Battery!!!! Electrolisis will make your hull look like swiss cheese and be as strong as tin foil in just a short time!!!! Please DON'T ask me how I know!!!
Later.....Jim in Hammond, La.
P.S....Aluminum Salt Water Boaters MUST use an epoXy type primer!!!!

Welcome Jim, glad ya stopped by!

Well, for sure, I have a great time working on this old girl! I love it when my boys are hanging with me pretending like we are fishing for big ol walleye there in the drive. I can't wait till we can go for real:D

Be sure to swing by the Starcraft section and post up some photos of your rig, we'd love to check out your work!

Uhh, what? I thought that is what the sacrificial anodes were for. Sorry, I have to ask how you know.:confused:

Yah, I guess that is what I was thinking too:confused:

Seems like some of these guys around here use ZC and are salt boaters, eh?

I'd be all fresh water.
 

jasoutside

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2009
Messages
13,269
Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Well, I have completed next to nuttin in the past couple of days. Mostly cleaned the garage because somebody keeps messing it up!

Besides that...

I took the 6 trash bags of containers I had collected and decided to sort threw them. I was just sorta throwing them in without much thought over the past few months. So I dumped em in the back yard...

IMAG0081.jpg


The boys were running and diving in them like a pile of leaves, they had a blast!

In the end I had about two bags that will go to the curb, two bags of returnables (MI $.10 refund) and two bags of potential good stuff (laundry soap containers and the like).
IMAG0083.jpg


I still don't know if I'll use any of it but it's there if I go that route. I know you guys think I'm a big wierdo for even thinking about it.

I did pull the big girl out in the sun today to do a little hull cleaning...
P1030466.jpg


I used a combo of my air compressor and shop vac to clean out the limber holes and ribs.

I also tackled what I think is baked on motor oil with the wire wheel...
P1030464.jpg


after...
P1030469.jpg


Then I washed out everything with the hose. Put the bow nice and high and ran the hose. It was a good feeling seeing the water run bow to stern, through the limbers and right out the drain without slowing down. I started with about a half a dozen limbers that were 100% blocked.
P1030470.jpg


Not yet clean enough for Gluvit but it's getting there! I really need to get my hands on a power washer! I threw the cover on as Fall has found her way to my neck of the woods.
 

pmillar

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 23, 2009
Messages
298
Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Looking good (especially the trailer) I may have to take a few pictures of an islander/chieftan for sale about two miles from me and post them up in the Starcraft section. It's been out there for a few months now...
 

fshngho

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 1, 2009
Messages
1,332
Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

And you said you didn't do nuttin. :confused:
You know yourself anything and everything you do counts. Look at my method, tiny bit here and there but sooner or later...SPLASH ( i hope)
Keep it up Jas.;)
 

jasoutside

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2009
Messages
13,269
Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Looking good (especially the trailer)

Thanks! I still have the keel rollers, winch, lights fenders and crank to mount up yet. Sheesh, when I write it all out like that it's like I have the whole thing to do still!

Ah well, I just got my jack back from my shop class students today. I'll need to paint that up before it goes on.

And you said you didn't do nuttin. :confused:
You know yourself anything and everything you do counts. Look at my method, tiny bit here and there but sooner or later...SPLASH ( i hope)
Keep it up Jas.;)

I am with ya fsh, little at a time. I'll get there!:D
 

jasoutside

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2009
Messages
13,269
Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Got my jack back from my shop students yesterday, had a bit of welding done to it.

Here is some insight as to how a husband and father of three little ones attempts to rebuild an old boat...

Home from work, unload the kids
Grab the jack, up in the shop, on the horses
IMAG0084.jpg


back down, start the grill
while the grill is warming up, back up to the shop, wire wheel the jack
back down, grab the marinated chicken and check the grill
up to the shop, more wire wheel
back down, chicken on the grill
back up, tape off and hang the jack
back down to the grill, turn the chicken
back up, prime the jack
back down, turn the chicken
back up, top coat
back down, chicken off the grill, to the table and eat
back up, top coat #2
back down, dishes
back up, top coat #3
back down, bedtime duty
back up, pull the tape, check it out
P1030471.jpg


It' no wonder why it seems to take me so long to complete any of these projects, eh! I don't know about you fellas, but for me, this is pretty much the only way I can keep a happy wife/family and run big fat projects like this. It's all good!:D

Check out what I found with the grinder underneath all the dirt and debris on the wheel...
P1030476.jpg


This Ghostbuster green colored wheel, pretty cool huh! It will never be that clean again so take a good look.
 

CheapboatKev

Vice Admiral
Joined
Oct 4, 2008
Messages
5,813
Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

This Ghostbuster green colored wheel, pretty cool huh! It will never be that clean again so take a good look.



lol...You must have been to my local ramp on the river...bleeeech! :eek:

85 degree water makes a lot of algae!
 

1970 Chieftain V

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 29, 2007
Messages
159
Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

You can convert to mercruiser. That is what I am doing right now on my crestliner Norseman. Basically the sam as an islander.

Talking about 2 ft itis wondering if anyone knows whre a 21ft chieftan might be for sale. Project prefered.

Do you mean like this one?

100_1528.jpg
 

1970 Chieftain V

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 29, 2007
Messages
159
Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

^^^^^^^^Super sharp!!!!!:D

Thank you.

Sorry to hijack your thread with my own picture but I just can't resist the urge to show it off!

I really like the starcraft lines on these old boats.

One thing to check for is under the rub stip aluminum molding. My topcap had 100 of the 150 or so rivets holding them together completely gone. I drilled the remaining rivets out and installed aircraft grade structural aluminum rivet back. So far I haven't noticed any movement of the topcap.
 

jasoutside

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2009
Messages
13,269
Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Thank you.

Sorry to hijack your thread with my own picture but I just can't resist the urge to show it off!

I really like the starcraft lines on these old boats.

One thing to check for is under the rub stip aluminum molding. My topcap had 100 of the 150 or so rivets holding them together completely gone. I drilled the remaining rivets out and installed aircraft grade structural aluminum rivet back. So far I haven't noticed any movement of the topcap.

No sweat Chief, love your sweet rig, awesome!

I am nearly certain that my rubrail has all through bolts and they are all looking pretty good. I'll for sure go through them all to know they are solid though.

Thanks for stopping by man! :D
 
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