Looking at a 1975 Islander

[trucktramp]

I am going to look at a 75 Islander that is for sale nearby. I am new to the tinny side so I need to know what to look for. It has a 140 I/O. I think (but am not sure) that it has a Merc outdrive. I don't know anything other than the guy used it this year. He is asking 2500. Is this a good price if it is in reasonable shape? I know to check the floors for rot but not much else. Thanks for the advice.

 

[efgolden]

Re: Looking at a 1975 Islander

Hello Trucktramp I recently purchased a `74 Islander that was traded in on a new boat from a dealer in Sandusky ,Ohio for a $1000 with no trailer has the 165 mercruiser 6 cyl chevy a recent new floor and dealer says transom appears good ....has fishfinder and also trim problems. Several days ago I bought a junk 20` fiberglass sitting on a 2 axel trailer with mercruiser 165 and outdrive and hydraulic pump,hummingbird fishfinder for $200 at Spencer, Indiana just for spare parts. You would like the 165 better than the 140 ,check the wood it` a lot of work but actually not much money if you do it yourself. This sight will tell you everything you need to know to do the job your self. I think the price is reasonable.....especially if the transom is good....if you don`t know what to look at...get somebody that does

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Looking at a 1975 Islander

islanders are awesome. Merc is great a far as parts support goes. Starcraft tended to put 4 clys in darn near everything so find a 6 might be tough. Sounds like a good price to me.

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: Looking at a 1975 Islander

the 140 if fine if you do not want to water ski. I have a 21 foot with 4 cylinder and it runs 25 mph at 3800 rpms top speed.
Look good at all the wood in the boat. My 1986 had a bad floor, bad transmom and cabin wood, but all was covered with carpet for other covering. I only found this out after the fact when I was replacing all the fuel lines in the boat and removing the fuel tanks to clean them. I broke a timing gear on the old 4 cylinder motor in 2007, lost the outdrive in 2008.

I now have a brand new motor (2008) and new sei 106 outdrive. Motor has 140 hrs on it outdrive has 102 hrs and all is running well. Take not on using PT plywood to replace the floor or other wood in the boat. I have hear it will react with alum. I used marine plywood

 

[wrfalpacas]

Re: Looking at a 1975 Islander

Not a bad price,and the islander is a nice boat. Even if you have to replace all the wood in the boat like I did, it's not really that difficult.

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: Looking at a 1975 Islander

the 140 if fine if you do not want to water ski. I have a 21 foot with 4 cylinder and it runs 25 mph at 3800 rpms top speed.
Look good at all the wood in the boat. My 1986 had a bad floor, bad transmom and cabin wood, but all was covered with carpet for other covering. I only found this out after the fact when I was replacing all the fuel lines in the boat and removing the fuel tanks to clean them. I broke a timing gear on the old 4 cylinder motor in 2007, lost the outdrive in 2008.

I now have a brand new motor (2008) and new sei 106 outdrive. Motor has 140 hrs on it outdrive has 102 hrs and all is running well. Take not on using PT plywood to replace the floor or other wood in the boat. I have hear it will react with alum. I used marine plywood and coated with exterior primer, which should not have all the chemicals but water proof glue and better laminations