1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

[jasoutside]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Well, got a few things done today in the few minutes that I had. I am sure that this project is going to go this way - few minutes here, few minutes there, it'll all add up to a finished boat someday, I hope.

Got some boat booty today!

Pulled off the bow light...

Real nice grab rail...

4 cleats, 3 big beefy eye bolts, 1 great ski/tube tow hook which will be awesome pulling around the offspring on nice warm summer days...

I also took off the two bow rails (sorry no pic).

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

And...

...started to chop this thing up!

I did get a quote on recovering my seats (no extra wood, no foam, just cover). Both seats done for $750 This was only my first quote and this may very well be the going rate but WAY to rich for my blood. I'll either find somebody more reasonable (way more reasonable), buy new ones (for less $ to boot), or learn a new skill and do em myself, eh!

HAPPY SUNDAY!

 

[Triton II]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

I see Mr Sawzall has had his first taste of glass! Good job Jas, enjoying reading and looking at your journey.

T-II

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

I see Mr Sawzall has had his first taste of glass! Good job Jas, enjoying reading and looking at your journey.

T-II

Thanks Triton! Yah, it's a journey to be sure!

Haven't accomplished a whole lot over the past few days. But, yesterday on my morning run (clear head) I did some thinking on on my Islander's gunwales...

I am becoming less fond of the design as I am climbing in and out of the boat working on it. The "raised" part of the gunwale that comes all the way from the helm/windshield area seems to really slow things down climbing in and out. It's a little trickier than just being able to sit and swing the legs over. And on top of that (literally) there is the aluminum cap that adds to the issue.

I'd love to have that gunwale flat for the majority of the length, sort of like a Holiday or the newer versions of this Islander. It would make for a much more comfortable entry/exit of the boat and for sure easier hauling kids out of the water when we are tubing/skiing. Easier pulling a big ole walleye out of the lake too if I could actually hook into one, eh!

I am thinking I can do that modification and still keep a super solid structure. I'd cut into it just aft of the windshield and follow that same angle that the windshield offers to make it look right. I'd probably just replace the current gunwales with new flat/sheet stock. I really don't think it would be any more time, effort or money to go this route compared to working with what I currently have. There are a million holes in there (including all the snaps need to come out) and those would all need to be filled and sanded. It might actually take me less time and cash to just buy a new sheet of aluminum and fab it up. If I play my cards right I might even be able to use the inside gunwale as the new material with the cost being $0!

Here are a couple of shots so you can sort of envision what it might look like...

Don't get me wrong, I like the lines of the boat but I think the function isn't quite what it could be.

Just thinking out loud, eh!

Cheers

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

I did get a quote on recovering my seats (no extra wood, no foam, just cover). Both seats done for $750 This was only my first quote and this may very well be the going rate but WAY to rich for my blood. I'll either find somebody more reasonable (way more reasonable), buy new ones (for less $ to boot), or learn a new skill and do em myself, eh!

Yeah that's pretty well ridiculous. I got 2 buckets, 2 jump, and 2 folding fishing seats all for under a grand brand new.

 

[sprintst]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

I'm going to be bring my seats in for a quote for rebuilding/covering. I'll let you know what I get back for a quote.

I'm starting to get scared now I'll see if I can redo the wood inside the seats to keep the cost down.

 

[Triton II]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Jas,

I agree with you that flat gunwales are a good thing... I love being able to sit down just about anywhere in the back area of my cuddy - it has 10" wide flat gunwales 30" above the floor, which make good picnic tables too! Wonder what the SC purists are going to say?

T-II

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Wonder what the SC purists are going to say?

Not sure if I'm a "purist" per se LOL...but I say don't cut that thing up

I just think that the lines of the boat would be negatively impacted. But of course I haven't seen what it would look like either so the jury is still out on this one

Bottom line=do what you want, it's your rig

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Jas,

I agree with you that flat gunwales are a good thing... I love being able to sit down just about anywhere in the back area of my cuddy - it has 10" wide flat gunwales 30" above the floor, which make good picnic tables too! Wonder what the SC purists are going to say?

T-II

Yup, that is kinda what I'm thinking! Thanks dude!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Not sure if I'm a "purist" per se LOL...but I say don't cut that thing up

I just think that the lines of the boat would be negatively impacted. But of course I haven't seen what it would look like either so the jury is still out on this one

Bottom line=do what you want, it's your rig

Huron a purist hmmmm....

I remember a few fellas pushing hard for dual outboards on a bracket for this boat, now you wouldn't have been part of that crew, nawww??? Ya know, being pretty much a Starcraft purist and all. I am glad there are guys like you around here to "keep it real", as they say.

Or, wait a minute...
Were you the leader of that crew? Boy I can't quite remember now.

Just messin with ya buddy!

Yah, this would need to be done right or not at all. I'll probably stand there for a good long while, hands on hips, thinking this through before I make a move.

If this was strictly a fishing rig I'd leave it just the way it is. But the more I think on it the more I have come to the conclusion that this will be a tube/ski/cruising boat just as much as a fishing barge. With kids in and out, grandma/grandpa in and out, I'm thinking it would be a much more comfortable setup.

Time will tell eh!

Cheers Man!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

LOL Dual outboards on a bracket is cool enough to trump any notion of "purity"

I've also been guilty of wanting to buy a mid 70s 15' Starcraft Holiday and cut it into an SS, so I am clearly not a "purist"...more of a utilitarian but I digress

You do have lots of time to ponder as we have been getting covered in snow around here and spring is a gleam in my eye

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

I'm itchy. I suppose that's this Baja's only way of getting back at me.

 

[Triton II]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Scratchcraft!!! LOL.

 

[jcupo6]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

LOL Dual outboards on a bracket is cool enough to trump any notion of "purity"

Dual outboards, I'm kinda partial to triples! I have no doubt the transom will be able to support em!

Took some time, but I am happy with the results!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

LOL Dual outboards on a bracket is cool enough to trump any notion of "purity"

Dual outboards, I'm kinda partial to triples! I have no doubt the transom will be able to support em!

Took some time, but I am happy with the results!

HHHhhaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!! You crack me up man!

 

[86 century]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

I can fix you up with this pair (or is it an odd couple)it will go like h%ll they will always be trying to out do each other. HAHAHAHA

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Shoot 86, I might have jumped on one of those a few weeks ago! Ah, it's all good, Thumper's V6 should do just great!

Cheers!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

So today it was kinda cold, sorta windy and snowing on and off. I thought I'd go outside and work on the boat! I am sure that makes sense to somebody out there.

Chopped out the windshield...

Cut out the gunwales and the swim deck...

Cut out the upper part of the hull...

I was wondering all the while what I would find for a fuel tank. SCORE!! 28 Gal Aluminum V-Bottom, cool! Great shape, just needs a good cleaning, fuel looked good coming out too.

When I write it out like that it doesn't seem like all that much work. In reality I was sweating like a pig and had fiberglass in every crevice. That tank was a bear to get out too. I am wiped!

CHEERS FELLAS

 

[86 century]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

I just had to chime in I can't make up my mind witch one to use my self.

 

[wvmedic]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

jasoutside, looking good glad you kept the boat.

Jeff