restoring 1970 Starcraft Islander

[bikesnboats]

I'm restoring a 1970 Starcraft Islander(V-21) equiped with a Mercruiser 120 I/O. I have a 1973 donor boat that will provide a newly rebuilt Mercruiser 165 inline 6 I/O, engine mounts, wiring, and instruments for conversion in the restoration. I intend to add fresh water cooling to this unused engine. The boat has spent the last 20 years exposed to weather and all wood and fabric outside the cuddy interior is toast. The wood is sound enough to provide patterns for replacement. No significant corrosion is evident in the boat's hull and the deck house is tight except where leakage has occured at cuddy front window at left and right edges. All rivets are correct and show no signs of working. The exterior finish has protected the underlying hull and superstructure but will need to be repainted. I've built a wooden schooner so have some wood working skills. I've owned and operated an Islander in years past off Oregon's Pacific coast and love the type. Where do I start and what should the progression of work be? I intend to do most work myself, have ample funds for the project, and would like to be fishing the boat in two years time. I am proud to be joining the "Starmada" and bringing this dandy boat back to useful life. Thanks for your advice and help!

 

[saginawbayboater]

Re: restoring 1970 Starcraft Islander

Welcome to the dry dock BnB! Sound like you have a great project going. There are three basic rules to follow, 1 photos, 2 photos, 3 photos. Check out photobucket its a free service and most users on iboats have accounts. It's the best way to show your photos on the thread.

Good luck

 

[jigngrub]

Re: restoring 1970 Starcraft Islander

Yup! It's just another boat story without pictures!

We don't care if your boat looks like refried rat crap... as a matter of fact we love the reggedy boat pics (and so will you when you're finished fixing her up). We like to see the transformation as it progresses.

Where to start? Start at the top and tear everything down, if it's removable... remove it. You're going to have to get to the guts of the boat down in the bilge to start fixing stuff. You take it apart from the top down and rebuild it from the bowels up.

You need to get to the bilge to fix any leaks first, then you'll need to replace floatation foam... this should keep you busy for a while, we have more advice when you're finished with that.

 

[Bondo]

Re: restoring 1970 Starcraft Islander

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... Bring it On,....

I've got a '74 Islander, I stuffed a 4.3LX/ Alpha 1 into.... loosened a few rivets since then....

 

[bikesnboats]

Re: restoring 1970 Starcraft Islander

Thanks for your responses! Pictures for me (to properly replace everything) and for y'all (train wrecks are fascinating to us all). Tear it down and then build it back up. Pretty sensible advice. I'll scream for help when I find the reptiles up to my rear. Pitching in to the project right now! Thanks Bond-O,Jigngrub, and Saginawbayboater!
bikesnboats

Yup! It's just another boat story without pictures!

We don't care if your boat looks like refried rat crap... as a matter of fact we love the reggedy boat pics (and so will you when you're finished fixing her up). We like to see the transformation as it progresses.

Where to start? Start at the top and tear everything down, if it's removable... remove it. You're going to have to get to the guts of the boat down in the bilge to start fixing stuff. You take it apart from the top down and rebuild it from the bowels up.

You need to get to the bilge to fix any leaks first, then you'll need to replace floatation foam... this should keep you busy for a while, we have more advice when you're finished with that.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: restoring 1970 Starcraft Islander

Islander? Where? Aw man, I can't see a thing!

(welcome to iboats BNB)

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: restoring 1970 Starcraft Islander

Welcome to dry dock at iboats, Starcraft division

Best looking white boat in blizzard conditions I've seen all week..........

 

[magnumdeke]

Re: restoring 1970 Starcraft Islander

Welcome!!, Love to see another Islander getting saved. aw rats cant see it, LOL. Gutted mine and working my way back up. Good luck!

 

[bikesnboats]

Re: restoring 1970 Starcraft Islander

Interior, engine, outdrive and transom are out of my Islander. Sorry no pictures yet but imagine generic pics of Islander 21 sans wood and motor with dirty bilges and plugged limber holes. My focus this (mild) winter will be on the installation of the 165 I6 and outdrive and installing mechanicals and electrical from the donor boat while awaiting warmer temps for Gluvit and epoxy applications. The help all of you have given through years of posts in the iBoats forum has made the seemingly impossible probable. And Mike, thanks again for manufacturing such "spiffy" transom caps!
Thanks, Ya'll!
"bikesnboats"

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: restoring 1970 Starcraft Islander

Yaa, another mighty Starcraft.

Photobucket, is your friend. If you don't post pictures you go on a hit list.:grumpy:

 

[bikesnboats]

Re: restoring 1970 Starcraft Islander

G'Day Starmada! It's time to consider fuel tanks for the Islander. Here on the Oregon coast, fishing for tuna is a fun option but requires a minimum range of 150 miles or so (50 out, 50 back, 50 reserve, also equipped with a Honda 9.9 trolling kicker). I will certainly replace the pair of rusted out 18 gal. steel tanks under the transom seats with equal capacity in the same place. The size of the belly tank I hope to add (on the center of gravity?) is dependent on fuel consumption of the Mercruiser 165 I6 I/O(closed coolng) in cruise mode for which the boat will be on a slow but solid plane. I've studied the net and iBoats for a week and fuel consumption figures range all over the chart and mix gallons per hour, miles per gallon, WOT, troll, etc. So I guess the specific question I've got for you Islander guys is what will be my rpm and fuel consumption at a slow steady plane for ocean cruise. I'm betting that much over 20 knots will beat me to death. I figure on putting an access hatch over the belly tank so I can keep track of it. Thanks Y'all!!:
"bikesnboats"

 

[jasoutside]

Re: restoring 1970 Starcraft Islander

The size of the belly tank I hope to add (on the center of gravity?) is dependent on fuel consumption of the Mercruiser 165 I6 I/O(closed coolng) in cruise mode for which the boat will be on a slow but solid plane.

Hmmmmm....

I spose I'd think of it kind of the opposite way.

In other words....

I'd suggest that you get the biggest possible fuel tank you can fit sub deck. Or, the two biggest possible tanks. Or, the biggest three tanks.

You can always make adjustments from there, ya know.

Either adjust your trips (longer/shorter) or throw in jerry cans as need be for the long days.

That's the best way to do it as you can always add more fuel, or shorten up your days, or add jerry cans. But, once the tanks are in, that's it, they are in.

I have two tanks in the hull of my rig, one at 29 and another at 33. I'll almost always run off the the 29 and the 33 will serve as auxiliary (maybe keep 10 gal in there or so). Then on the long runs, long weekends, or big tubing days, fill em both up.

Knowhattamean?:joyous:

 

[jigngrub]

Re: restoring 1970 Starcraft Islander

But, once the tanks are in, that's it, they are in.

That depends on how you build your boat, you can leave your deck and bench/box fasteners exposed and easily make modifications to your boat without ruining your build material.

Want to add another tank? Take her apart, install the tank, and put her back together.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: restoring 1970 Starcraft Islander

He want's 150 mile range...

Put in as much capacity as possible right from the start, no need for modification on down the road.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: restoring 1970 Starcraft Islander

He want's 150 mile range...

Put in as much capacity as possible right from the start, no need for modification on down the road.

Things change... and ideas are thought of.

It never hurts to plan for eventualities.

 

[bikesnboats]

Re: restoring 1970 Starcraft Islander

Thanks Guys! My rough estimation tells me that your 29 or 33 would fill the bill, Jasoutside. My boat differs from yours in that it has post helms and not the box/seats you've so0 beautifully crafted. Oh yeah, there shouldn't be conflict with my battery location:lol: Yes, I'm one of the thousands of faithful followers of your deightful saga! 20 years ago when I last used the boat it seemed as if it could use more weight forward, so I'm guessing fuel tank placement would be somewhere between the helm and a foot or so ahead of the engine. I really am kind of curious about fuel consumption of that 165, even though I could go 'round the world on the standard 36 gallons the boat came with using the (SLOW!!!!) kicker. As for the taking the boat apart, that's about all I've accomplished, jigngrub, other than artfully applyiing JB Weld on the transom corrosion pockets.Muchas Gracias, Mi Amigos!!
bikesnboats

 

[jasoutside]

Re: restoring 1970 Starcraft Islander

Oh yeah, there shouldn't be conflict with my battery location:lol: Yes, I'm one of the thousands of faithful followers of your deightful saga!

Punk!:mad2:

Ok, I deserved that.

Pay close attention to your tank dimensions. Our Islanders don't have a ton of room sub deck there. The more aft you go the thinner the tank needs to be.

It was a bit of a challenge getting the 29 in mine. It was a big challenge getting the 33 in! And there is no way I could have (would have) added that 33 in later down the road (even if I would have made some sort of removable decking system).

Rock on:rockon:

 

[bikesnboats]

Re: restoring 1970 Starcraft Islander

Please accept my humblest apologies, Sir!:facepalm: I am unworthy! I sense you are absolutely right on in suggesting I look closely at under deck dimensions, allowing ample room for various fittings. The boat had a 140 4 banger in it and tended to plane bow high, so I'm guessing that with the extra weight of the 165, I should be thinking of keeping the weight forward. Without the knowledge of what consumption is, and based on what you suggest, I should try for 36 gallons or so under the deck using that tank for an auxillary the 2 or 3 times a year I would go out for tuna, and as flotation the rest of the year when after salmon. I think that inspection hatches or a removable floor section would be important in preventing an unseen gas tank from becoming a bomb. I'll be looking forward to your fuel consumption figures when you spash your '76, Jasoutside! I really appreciate your replys!
bikesnboats

 

[jasoutside]

Re: restoring 1970 Starcraft Islander

Ha! No apologies necessary! I get what's coming to me.:caked:

Oh, hey, by the way, this boat is a total fake to this point.

Can you prove it's exhistance?

Do you actually have photos cuz I sure can't see a darn thing from where I'm sitting:suspicious:

 

[bikesnboats]

Re: restoring 1970 Starcraft Islander

I am an analogue guy lost in a cruel digital world, jasoutside, but I will once again examine, with fear and trepidation, how to access Photo Bucket. Are you suggesting that there isn't room enough under deck for much over a 33 gallon tank? I was under the impression that your fuel was going in your seat boxes.