Model of early 80s IO StarCraft?

[Josh1489]

I am almost done putting back in the Mercruiser 140HP motor(79-82) into my StarCraft(early 80s) after being rebuilt. Going through the process of removing and installing the motor(which included buying the manual for said motor and outdrive) I have learned a TON of useful information regarding my IO motor(not original) and outdrive(I believe is original) but not the boat itself. I’ve almost become a bit obsessive lol. So now I want to complete my knowledge base and find out the exact year and model of my rig.

I have the HID, MC, and registration… from what I can tell I would have to pay to look it up by the HID. The registration says it’s an 83 but also lists the HID(which matches the boat stamp) saying it’s an 82. I seen somewhere I could call a number and look it up by the MC but it wouldn’t give me detailed info like model. I have researched the StarCraft catalogs from 82 and 83 but nothing seems to match up 100%. Like measurements on the transom, length(22’ on the registration but can I trust that?), windshield design… I can match some of those identifiers to certain models but not all of them to 1 model.

I feel like I’m making this more complicating than it needs to be but want to be sure of the year and model so I can take record of the specs. My primary goal was to figure out the weight to see if I can tow with a 6cl SUV. Either way below is the info I know FOR SURE. Pictures as well. I appreciate any help given in advance as this is my first post. Long time reader of the forum though!

HID STRH55660982A3
MC 1514 LK
Registration says it’s a 1983 22’

 

[Josh1489]

HID says it’s a 82. Michigan registration says 83. Would like to know the model. I have all the info on the IO(not original) and outdrive(original I believe). So identifying the model would complete my notes on this boat which I have grown to love.

HID STRH55660982

 

[DLNorth]

Josh,
You are way ahead of me, sure looks like an Islander to me, or maybe a Sportfisherman, I don't know the difference. It does have the paint shown in the '83 catalog.
Dan

 

[matt167]

As far as I know the islander and sport fisherman were actually the same with the interior layout being the difference. It is definitely one of them

 

[Josh1489]

So I it actually shows the model on the capacity plate! Just realized this today. But some things are still not matching up. The catalog pictures for the CR 221 look different. There is no window to the cuddy like on my boat. Looks closer to a CR 221V so maybe they just left the V off. According to the catalogs the CR models were offered in 82’ and not in 83’ but as DLnorth said the paint job looks very much 83’. So I’m still not confident I suppose.

 

[Watermann]

For sure it's an Islander, mine is a few years older but has much more info on the data plate as far as model goes. Otherwise identical hulls but different motor / interior configuration. No idea why the data plate on yours says CR 221, can't even think of what CR would stand for?

 

[DLNorth]

I'm looking in the '83 catalog on the SC site, and it only lists/shows a CR 261 V, It does show/list several SF models that look similar to yours. (I suspect the V is for the deeper VEE hull (ie, V5).

Continued looking - I see the '82 catalog shows/lists a CR 221, but the image (boat) is a bit different then yours. And they have an image labeled CR 221 V and the boat has Islander on the side. It appears the CR is for "Cruiser", and it comes in several trim packages, OB-IO, std Vee-Deep Vee (V5), with a cuddy cabin or without, and likely more.

 

[dwco5051]

I have found it quite common for the HIN and the state registration to be off like that. A boat hull could easily be laid up in 1982 and then sold by the dealer during the following calendar year and the year registration would show the boat as new in 1983. Also bare hulls that would be used on several models would lay around the factory for a year until fitted up in the desired configuration. The HIN number on a fiberglass is imprinted when first made.

 

[Josh1489]

I agree with watermann and DLNorth. In google searches I kept seeing islanders that looked very similar and between the 2 catalogs I was leaning towards the SF. How come I don’t see the “islander” model in the catalog though? Is it listed under a shorthand name? It appears that the islanders were quite popular from my google searches.

 

[DLNorth]

I was going to add, what is listed as CR (Cruisers) in the '82 catalog appears to have been renamed SF (Sport Fisherman) in the '83 catalog, and that "Islander" is a trim package on/in either.

 

[Josh1489]

Thank you for the clarification.

 

[Watermann]

Guess I shouldn't have said identical hulls, while yours has the port side fuel filler that was later moved to on top the gunnel, it doesn't have the distinctive V5 bottom strake that ends at the bow.

CR for cruiser, okay I guess that would make sense but they had enough room to spell it out.

 

[Josh1489]

Guess I shouldn't have said identical hulls, while yours has the port side fuel filler that was later moved to on top the gunnel, it doesn't have the distinctive V5 bottom strake that ends at the bow.

CR for cruiser, okay I guess that would make sense but they had enough room to spell it out.

Well you just had me looking up a bunch of terms I’m only slightly familiar with . Always looking to further my boating knowledge though so for that I thank you.

I believe I understand what you said about the bottom strake(google wanted to tell me how to identify a “stroke”). It appears that I don’t have any strakes below the beige painted strakes that end at the metallic lower portion of the hull. Please correct me if I’m wrong and I would be interested in seeing what the “distinctive V5 bottom” looks like.

As far as the fuel filter on the port side, your correct, it is port side. But it does kinda just hang below the gunnel along the inner wall of the cockpit.

All that being said… I still don’t think anyone is 100% on the model of this boat. The options have been narrowed down for sure. Watermann was most confident with islander but that appears to be a trim package and not model. So do I have a CR-221 Islander?

 

[BOYS & TOYS]

22ft Islander v5
Approx 1978

 

[Josh1489]

22ft Islander v5
Approx 1978

The upper windshield and windows around the cuddy look identical to my rig from what I can tell. Thanks for the share!

 

[Watermann]

The upper windshield and windows around the cuddy look identical to my rig from what I can tell. Thanks for the share!

Yeap, exactly what mine looks like too, a 78 model year made in 77 according to the HIN.