Re: This new Starcraft Islander is bringing me down on its first splash...pics!
Re: This new Starcraft Islander is bringing me down on its first splash...pics!
I had my sights set on a 22 Islander with bracket 07 and higher. I was going to sell whatever outboard it came with (usually the 150 Merc Optimax)
and I wanted to put a 200 Verado on it. I'm in no rush. I'll snag one someday. Starcraft was owned by Brunswick then bought back by family of the original owners (check Wiki for the story).
One good thing is Starcraft Islanders have always been in high demand. Now that they have discontinued the Islander they may even increase in value. Back in 2007 many dealers were pricing them at $40,000! They could be found new for less than 30k with the 150 Optimax. I bet yours goes up in value (boats don't do that).
Two new boats ago I bought a 14 foot Sylvan new and was amazed how there were spun aluminum shards all over the boat. Not only would I not buy from the same dealer again for his lack of prep I wrote a letter to Sylvan saying these filings were a real hazard for someone to step on one with bare feet. I'd vacuum them up only to find them falling back onto the deck again from somewhere.
I really don't expect great workmanship any more especially from "any" American manufactuer. This is why it seems like 70% of the cars on the road are foreign.
I don't feel a boat owner who is not handy should even bother owning a boat. Boaters that buy boats and have to bring it somewhere for simple repairs get a bad taste for boating real fast due to the time off the water and the expense. I'm not saying that the hose is a simple repair but it should be able to be fixed by any authorized Merc I/O dealer. I actually enjoy fixing stuff or adding on accessories myself! At least I know it will be done better than OEM. And if something breaks while on the water or on vacation most of the time , I know I can fix it quickly myself.
And one thing is for sure with boats "something always breaks". I find stuff breaks due to how cheaply they are manufactured now.
I've gotten a lot of input on how to fix stuff myself from other boaters here.
As others have said, how does one buy a new boat and spend big dollars without taking it first out own a shakedown cruise unless it's mid winter or the dealer was going out of business and you got an "as is" price (with warranty from Starcraft).
I personally only want an outboard for my tastes. Outboards I think are more reliable, easier to work on for normal maintenance like plugs, oil change etc. and I like the extra deck room they free up especially Starcraft's unique L bracket models.
I thought that suggestion from a poster to go to a hydraulic shop was a great one. or the mobile shop that comes to you. having someone crimp on a new connector is probably quicker than locating the exact hose. This would get you back on the water faster which is your goal. I'd still have Merc ship you a new hose two (its under warranty) in case the repaired one lets go.
Hydraulic hoses pop all the time on construction equipment. There must be mobile services in your area, but if that is too expensive try bringing rig to their shop.
Get used to stuff breaking with boats, one would think it should not happen with new but a Starcraft is not a Cobalt. And I've read many threads of complaints on Cobalt's declining workmanship!
Your 2 month self imposed boating window is also causing you undue stress. I had a custom made full enclosure made up at a local canvas shop when I bought my last new boat. It extends my boating season by 4 months (2 extra in spring, 2 extra in fall) up here in the Northeast. I hate the pressure of having say August rained and wiped out or a few weddings or events that kill off another weekend.
Enjoy that Starcraft, it was a classic before and now will be even more of a classic now that they are no longer produced.
Let us know how you made out!
Especially like that dejected, feeling low picture of you. You should have been an actor
. We've all been in that shot with our boats at one time or another.
