Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile?

[ricohman]

I have a new 2011 Islander 221 I/O and I am going to need a cover when I unwrap the boat in the spring. I can't seem to find any specific cover for my boat but there are many semi-custom covers available. I need to know how my boat is classified. High or low profile? Walk around cuddy? It kind of looks like a walk around but I wouldn't try that.
If I can figure this out then then ordering should be easy enough. I'd like a cover that can be used while towing.
This may sound dumb, but why are inboards called I/O?

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile?

Got Pics?
I/O is, inboard engine/ outboard drive.
Inboard is, inboard engine and drive inboard.
Drive shaft runs thru transom and prop attached.
Google it.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

Unfortunately these are the only pics I have. I haven't taken the wrap off yet and the boat is in storage.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

I'd settle for nothing less than a professionally made custom cover for that beauty.

 

[Philster]

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

It's sort of what is called a walk around and high profile, but what you have is just a little bit different and somewhat unique.

About I/O vs Inboard:

I/O means inboard-outboard. The engine is in the boat, the drivetrain/trans is out of the boat. On a true inboard, the prop is pretty much the only thing out of the boat, and the engine and drivetrain are in the boat, separated from the sea by the stuffing box.

I think you could get a semi-custom cover, but only if you can get serious customer service and if they know what boat ya got. It is configured a little different than other boats. Nothing will serve you as well as full custom, but if the cover actually covers the whole boat well and you don't wind up with low sections that accumate snow/water/debris, then a semi can be just fine. Problem is that you got a nice boat; don't break the rules now and treat it as run-of-the-mill. Set a personal precedent and demand a custom cover.

Happy boating.

 

[boatnut74]

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

I'd settle for nothing less than a professionally made custom cover for that beauty.

x2. I envy you having a brand new Starcraft! Be sure to post some pics when you get it unwrapped!

 

[ricohman]

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

Thanks for the feedback.
I don't know if there is anyone near me that could make a custom cover. But surely some shop somewhere must have made a cover for a 221 Islander and has the dimensions.
I will do a bit more research before I do this. I want a well fitting cover and what's a bit more $ when I spent this much already.
I can just see that ebay cover flapping in the wind and filling with water.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

Rico I don't see any vents on that shrink wrap? are there any there .02. heads up

 

[ricohman]

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

Rico I don't see any vents on that shrink wrap? are there any there .02. heads up

I cut 8 or 10 holes in it before storing it. Its inside now so it should be ok. I had a thread on that a while back!

 

[ricohman]

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

After numerous phone calls and much searching I have discovered that this boat may be very difficult to fit with a cover. I have found a few high quality covers in the $500-700 range but the fitting is the hard part.
Some makers (such as those listed on iboats) say this boat is a low profile cuddy. Others say it is a high profile cuddy with walk around.
Here are a couple of pics. I have actually stood in one of these boats and walked around the other in the yard as this is the dealer I bought the boat from.

This pic is slightly deceiving as the top is up and makes the boat look higher than it is. But even with the cover removed, it is still higher than any low profile cuddys I've seen on the water. I am leaning on getting a high profile cover. If I could get one made I would but there is no company near me that does.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

I had one of these in the 191 series. I/O 6 cyl. I had to have a cover made for it. Had mine made to fit the whole boat. Had the front cabin windows tinted also. She is a rough rider in rough water.Make sure when it is made they reinforce it over the windshield frame. It will rub through and rip really quick.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

I had one of these in the 191 series. I/O 6 cyl. I had to have a cover made for it. Had mine made to fit the whole boat. Had the front cabin windows tinted also. She is a rough rider in rough water.Make sure when it is made they reinforce it over the windshield frame. It will rub through and rip really quick.

What was the cost of having one made?
Rough riding? The reason I bought a 22ft v hull was to have a smoother ride. I know that these boats are light, but surely it must ride better than my old tri hull
I talked to a few owners of 221's that have used them on the great lakes, and if they are ok for that they should be good for the smaller lakes where I live.

 

[kmarine]

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

I recomend a custom cover. They cost about $400 to $600 around here. Depending on how much cover you want. Custom covers fit better. They last about 3 times as long. Are less likely to tear and should not hold water. A properly vented cover if made by someone who knows how to make them Is the best investment against damage caused by the enviormental elements. the extra cost will potentially save you money on interior repairs in the long run.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

I recomend a custom cover. They cost about $400 to $600 around here. Depending on how much cover you want. Custom covers fit better. They last about 3 times as long. Are less likely to tear and should not hold water. A properly vented cover if made by someone who knows how to make them Is the best investment against damage caused by the enviormental elements. the extra cost will potentially save you money on interior repairs in the long run.

If I could call someone who has made a 221 Islander cover I would. But there is no company here that can make the cover and I have found no information on any company that is willing to do it. Probably not that many boats sold so there is no demand for a cover.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

If I could call someone who has made a 221 Islander cover I would. But there is no company here that can make the cover and I have found no information on any company that is willing to do it. Probably not that many boats sold so there is no demand for a cover.

I'm not sure if past history with a 221 Islander is really relevant to a discussion about a custom cover. That's kind of where the whole custom thing fits into the equation.
I think $400-600 is probably a low estimate, though. A good snap-in would probably run you twice that.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

Perhaps Starcraft could be of assistance.

 

[kmarine]

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

I'm not sure if past history with a 221 Islander is really relevant to a discussion about a custom cover. That's kind of where the whole custom thing fits into the equation.
I think $400-600 is probably a low estimate, though. A good snap-in would probably run you twice that.

This is what I quote these for, perhapse I should raise my prices, I have 3 competitive shops in my area, I do know that prices can vary regionall, and depends on fabric types. I am talking cover, not a bimini with enclosure which would be $3000 just a custom cover with proper venting post hardware.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

My boat does have a complete bimini with enclosure. I didn't really want to use it for storage though.
Do others use these type of tops for storage? It would raise the height of my boat by at least 3 1/2 feet.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

What was the cost of having one made?
Rough riding? The reason I bought a 22ft v hull was to have a smoother ride. I know that these boats are light, but surely it must ride better than my old tri hull
I talked to a few owners of 221's that have used them on the great lakes, and if they are ok for that they should be good for the smaller lakes where I live.

If i remember right, the cover was in the neighborhood of $450.00. That was 10 yr's ago. I forget what the material was made of. I know it wasn't Sunbrella. By far it will ride better then a tri hull. I could ride 2-4 footers with caution only because i was getting my butt off the water.. Wasn't easy though.I used to boat on Lake Erie's western basin, out of Walnut Creek and North East.Just remember to get winshield area reinforced with a thick piece of plastic that looks like Eisenglass. My cover was a trailering cover that i also used to keep boat covered at home. You mentioned that you talked to others that have your type of boat, do they have a cover like you want ?

 

[ricohman]

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

Re: Cover for 2011 Starcraft Islander. High profile or low profile cover?

If i remember right, the cover was in the neighborhood of $450.00. That was 10 yr's ago. I forget what the material was made of. I know it wasn't Sunbrella. By far it will ride better then a tri hull. I could ride 2-4 footers with caution only because i was getting my butt off the water.. Wasn't easy though.I used to boat on Lake Erie's western basin, out of Walnut Creek and North East.Just remember to get winshield area reinforced with a thick piece of plastic that looks like Eisenglass. My cover was a trailering cover that i also used to keep boat covered at home. You mentioned that you talked to others that have your type of boat, do they have a cover like you want ?

All used giant tarps for storage and all but one kept his boat in the water. Is the windshield protection for flying stones while towing?