Islander/Chieftain project ponderings. Building the ultimate big water Starcraft?

[ShoestringMariner]

So lazy winter day here. Dreaming of summer and future boat projects. I’m considering a big and little family. I love my 16’ Supersport for small/medium lakes and river systems but I’d like a big water boat. But a big water boat I can both do some serious fishing in and some semi-comfy overnighting or weekending in.

I’ve never owned or spent any time in a big boat, so my ideas may be way off the mark. I’ve bounced back and forth thoughts between the BIG glass cruisers (27’-35’) and the islanders. Neither seems to fit the bill exactly. The cruiser is too big and expensive to own/operate and requires marina mooring.

The big SC’s don’t seem to have really usable space inside or out. Mrs Admiral loves the bow of the SS for reading and lounging. I can’t see her enjoying being in a Chief or Islander unless I create an outdoor lounge space. Thinking of replacing the high seat on port side with an upholstered bench or lounge. If there’s room, maybe even a sink with clip on shelf between the lounge seat and bulkhead?? No idea if this is possible.

So now I’m wondering if doing up a big Islander to fit the bill. The only way a big SC will work for me is if it’s an OB. I cannot have that doghouse in the way. I understand that SC made Islander and Chief OB models, but these are very, very rare in my area, so an offshore style conversion will more than likely be my only option. To be truthful, I prefer the offshore outboard/swim platform pod over a splash well/transom mount to give even more deck room. And I wonder if the fumes/noise will be even less being another 2-2.5’ back.

I originally wanted a 26’ SC with big cabin, head and kitchenette but I think we could live with a smaller cabin with a porta potty as a head as long as we could have deck space to lounge, grill off the side and maybe some fold up or pedestal table ideas to prepare meals. Full convertible camper top for bad weather that splits to Bimini for hot hot sun days. I’m still thinking 24-26’ over 22’

I’m thinking that the money spent on a resto/mod SC even with a new 4 stroke OB will be money better invested than a big glass cruiser. I know I’d use the SC frequently for salmon fishing at least. It’s the weekending I’m not sure of.

Any big SC (26’) owners who spend nights/weekends willing to chime in with ideas?

 

[Watermann]

Not very many guys with the monster tin and none of them have really started and finished their projects as far as I can remember here on iboats.

A 16'r is a great boat for small waters but I found it was not large enough for my needs and that's why I went with the 18' SS for fishing. It was nice to be able to stay out in rough water where the wind was blowing white caps spray in the boat but nothing over the bow.

My 22' Islander is OB but never have I seen a larger 26'r that is, it would have to be converted from an IO. Although the stern area of an IO is the perfect location to create a lounging area. I did this on my little Chief by making the motor cover a full sized sun deck. In all reality my Chief is not a family sized cruiser, rather more of a couples boat which suits us just fine.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Not very many guys with the monster tin and none of them have really started and finished their projects as far as I can remember here on iboats.

A 16'r is a great boat for small waters but I found it was not large enough for my needs and that's why I went with the 18' SS for fishing. It was nice to be able to stay out in rough water where the wind was blowing white caps spray in the boat but nothing over the bow.

My 22' Islander is OB but never have I seen a larger 26'r that is, it would have to be converted from an IO. Although the stern area of an IO is the perfect location to create a lounging area. I did this on my little Chief by making the motor cover a full sized sun deck. In all reality my Chief is not a family sized cruiser, rather more of a couples boat which suits us just fine.

I’ve seen your chief and it’s a beauty! If an 18 OB SS comes my way, I may flip. But I’m still interested in an Islander or other large SC.
I like the low cabin height islanders but I’ve only seen them up to 22’. If those exist in longer models, I’ve not seen them. I’m not seen any up close in the wild even, which is why I have no idea if what I’m talking about is possible.

I think 22’ is on the short side for the rough ideas in my head.

 

[Watermann]

Why not both? Nothing like having all your bases covered for fishing and cruising.

The 22' Islander are massive compared to the 18'rs and yeah they made the 26' Islander Sportsman model too. The 26'rs are truly massive but not in the way of beam or sides just more length. Just look at the 22'rs size compared to a full size truck.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Why not both? Nothing like having all your bases covered for fishing and cruising.

The 22' Islander are massive compared to the 18'rs and yeah they made the 26' Islander Sportsman model too. The 26'rs are truly massive but not in the way of beam or sides just more length. Just look at the 22'rs size compared to a full size truck.

I am talking both.
A big and little family.
Wait, you gave me an idea and probably the guy to ask; would there be enough room for a fold up upholstered bench across the back (with dog house gone) and a small outdoor kitchenette where the port seat is? I’d do a fold-down floor filler at the door well.

it could have cupboards and maybe an ice box, sink etc.

think that would work in a 22’r?

I could fold up the seat for salmon excursions

 

[64osby]

Usually if something is designed to do everything there are compromises that have to be made. Those compromises will make a great idea mediocre in actuality.

 

[mattsteg]

I've concluded that there's a fairly fundamental limit to how comfy/spacious boats designed with a beam under wide load permit threshold can be for "overnighting" and weekending.

It sounds like you're realistic about the interior not being spacious and mostly focused on deckspace which is more realistic and in line with these boats designs.

Also keep in mind that the 22s and 26s are a lot bigger than your 16. Your boat would just about fit inside my big SS behind the consoles...

I've thought of making my SS the medium of a small/med/large fleet and come to the conclusion that I'm not convinced that even a 26 would be enough of a step up.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

I've concluded that there's a fairly fundamental limit to how comfy/spacious boats designed with a beam under wide load permit threshold can be for "overnighting" and weekending.

It sounds like you're realistic about the interior not being spacious and mostly focused on deckspace which is more realistic and in line with these boats designs.

Also keep in mind that the 22s and 26s are a lot bigger than your 16. Your boat would just about fit inside my big SS behind the consoles...

I've thought of making my SS the medium of a small/med/large fleet and come to the conclusion that I'm not convinced that even a 26 would be enough of a step up.

thanks for your thoughts, do you have one of those big 22’ Supersports?

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Hey guys, what’s the difference in cabin headroom between the 3 configurations of islanders I’m seeing?

The lowest one hardly looks like a cuddy at all. Can you sit upright in these, or are they crawl in only?

what about the mid rise model? Can you stand upright in them?

 

[mattsteg]

thanks for your thoughts, do you have one of those big 22’ Supersports?

Yeah I have a 22ft V5. More or less the same hull as @Watermann but without the top.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Yeah I have a 22ft V5. More or less the same hull as @Watermann but without the top.

I bet one could weekend just as well in one of these with a full camper top using the sleeper seats?

do you know how the draft compares to say a 16’ or 18’ supersport? Could I use a big SS or 19-22’ Islander/Chief in similar waters or do they sit a lot deeper in the water?

 

[Watermann]

I am talking both.
A big and little family.
Wait, you gave me an idea and probably the guy to ask; would there be enough room for a fold up upholstered bench across the back (with dog house gone) and a small outdoor kitchenette where the port seat is? I’d do a fold-down floor filler at the door well.

it could have cupboards and maybe an ice box, sink etc.

think that would work in a 22’r?

I could fold up the seat for salmon excursions

If you can envision it then it can work, it just has to be scaled for the size of boat you have. You could take a fish cleaning table and modify it as well to have those amenities.

 

[mattsteg]

I bet one could weekend just as well in one of these with a full camper top using the sleeper seats?

do you know how the draft compares to say a 16’ or 18’ supersport? Could I use a big SS or 19-22’ Islander/Chief in similar waters or do they sit a lot deeper in the water?

That'll depend. The V5 and "V series" hulls have a steeper deadrise and thus a deeper draft. The classic/lapstrake hulls would be more similar to your 16 footer. If you want big-water performance...the V5 can really cut through waves, especially with added power trim tabs. The shallower hulls will feel the waves a bit more

The SS was available with both hulls.

The Chief has the shallower V, as does the "lowrider" Islander. The higher-windowed Islanders have the deeper V (may be some variation by year). The cruisers also have a higher weight so might sit a bit lower.

I don't really care for sleeper/headbanger seats and run pedestals instead. There's probably plenty of room to roll out a couple of nice camping mattresses or cots - even with the sterndrive doghouse. With an outboard there'd be a TON of flat open space back there. In any case it all comes down to your expectations.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

That'll depend. The V5 and "V series" hulls have a steeper deadrise and thus a deeper draft. The classic/lapstrake hulls would be more similar to your 16 footer. If you want big-water performance...the V5 can really cut through waves, especially with added power trim tabs. The shallower hulls will feel the waves a bit more

The SS was available with both hulls.

The Chief has the shallower V, as does the "lowrider" Islander. The higher-windowed Islanders have the deeper V (may be some variation by year). The cruisers also have a higher weight so might sit a bit lower.

this is great to know. Makes sense about the cruiser weight.

any difference in beam widths between the older hull and the v5? The newer models appear wider inside the gunnels to me

 

[mattsteg]

this is great to know. Makes sense about the cruiser weight.

any difference in beam widths between the older hull and the v5? The newer models appear wider inside the gunnels to me

They are a bit wider. It's also fully possible that the cruisers even ride slightly higher at the stern since the weight is up front. It's not like I've checked - just figured it was worth mentioning the weight difference,

 

[ShoestringMariner]

More crazy thoughts;

because I’d (ideally) be picking up a boat with a bad motor/drive to do an offshore OB conversion, what about a twin setup as opposed a single OB? Say two 70-90 hp’s vs one 150hp
Overkill for an Islander?

 

[mattsteg]

Twin 150s on a 26 footer.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Twin 150s on a 26 footer.

I think the 25’ or 26’ Cheifs only had a an inline 6. Under 200hp I think. (??)

I’m also now thinking 22’ max.
a) anything over 22’ is scarce. Seems like the 19-22’ models are the norm up here.
b) I’ve scrapped the idea of having anything other than the bed and portapotti inside the cuddy.

 

[mattsteg]

I think the 25’ or 26’ Cheifs only had a an inline 6. Under 200hp I think. (??)

I’m also now thinking 22’ max.
a) anything over 22’ is scarce. Seems like the 19-22’ models are the norm up here.
b) I’ve scrapped the idea of having anything other than the bed and portapotti inside the cuddy.

Using the code/statute for acceptable power (length * transom width in ft, rounded up to the next multiple of 5)*2-90 (for transom height >=20 in, which would certainly apply)
the 26 Islanders would take up to 330ish
22 footers would take 240-270 depending on beam
25 footers would be OK to 310

Certainly the older boats weren't necessarily built when such power was commonly available, but it's appropriate for that size hull and was offered. The big Chiefs were available with TWIN STERNDRIVES with power up to at least 280HP combined.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Very cool, I didn’t know that, Especially the twin sterndrives in the big Chiefs. Surely there was absolutely no floorspace left back there at all. I’d love to see one though