about to pull the trigger on '83 22' starcraft islnder... opinions wanted

[Andy in NY]

1983 22' starcraft islander... a real basket case. the boat has damage to the hull, the owner says strake, but im thinking he means chine. says it leaks, but not majorly. im waiting for pictures of it from him now. also the boat had been sunk, fresh water, for about 2 days. the sinking and hull damage are NOT related... he says the previous owner had it docked and a few days of heavy rain sunk it. so the boat was on the water with the hull damage. has no motor, no steering system. but it comes with a trailer that is in decent shape.

my thoughts: this would be a multi year project, working on it as funds and time allow, saving up for a bigger trailer for it and motor. im thinking that for around 4 grand i could have a really nice boat in a few years.

OR

if the damage is that bad and i think that i may not be able to tackle the project i could scrap the boat itself and keep the trailer and still make out okay or even try and give the boat itself away.


what do you all think? dont hold back.


the price is $350.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: about to pull the trigger on '83 22' starcraft islnder... opinions wanted

Maybe for free but I wouldn't pay for it.

 

[SBTOM]

Re: about to pull the trigger on '83 22' starcraft islnder... opinions wanted

Those big starcrafts are awesome when they are done right... I can't wait to see how jasonoutside finishes out the one that he is working on. If you have a buddy with a break press or a Wilson wheel, you could fab up a replacement section for that chine rail pretty quickly, but the tough part would be getting it welded on to the rest of the rail without removing it.

If you wanted to cover your costs by scrapping it down the line, you could probably make your money back. It might be a hassle and you'd probably feel bad giving her the old chop, but I think mixed aluminum is over 50 cents a pound isn't it? 600 pounds to the scrap yard and you've made your money back!

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: about to pull the trigger on '83 22' starcraft islnder... opinions wanted

hell even if i bought it and stripped it, sold what was good and scrapped it, i would still come out ahead with the trailer...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: about to pull the trigger on '83 22' starcraft islnder... opinions wanted

I think you may be overestimating the value of a rusty, single axle, painted trailer.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: about to pull the trigger on '83 22' starcraft islnder... opinions wanted

I think you may be overestimating the value of a rusty, single axle, painted trailer.

its better than the rust, single axle trailer i have now!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: about to pull the trigger on '83 22' starcraft islnder... opinions wanted

Normally I'd never attempt to disuade a potential Islander owner from pulling the trigger...but this one has some curveballs.

The biggest positive is obviously the fact that it's an OB model. These things don't exactly grow on trees. I'd be lying if I said this didn't score any points for me.

The biggest negatives are that it sunk and has thru-hull damage that was repaired by a shade-tree boat mechanic(you know like us). The sinking is always a cause for concern, and usually a dealbreaker in my opinion.

One question...that chine that's missing some length, while the rivets are obviously thru-hull closed end, the way SC made the hulls there is no seam near the damaged area right?

Is this the only major damage or are there other leaks/missing hardware? How did the damage happen?

That being said...the scrap value is there to fall back on if you feel like dealing with the hassle.

I'd pass on it and grab one up that has less issues for maybe a little more cash up front.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: about to pull the trigger on '83 22' starcraft islnder... opinions wanted

Normally I'd never attempt to disuade a potential Islander owner from pulling the trigger...but this one has some curveballs.

The biggest positive is obviously the fact that it's an OB model. These things don't exactly grow on trees. I'd be lying if I said this didn't score any points for me.

The biggest negatives are that it sunk and has thru-hull damage that was repaired by a shade-tree boat mechanic(you know like us). The sinking is always a cause for concern, and usually a dealbreaker in my opinion.

One question...that chine that's missing some length, while the rivets are obviously thru-hull closed end, the way SC made the hulls there is no seam near the damaged area right?

Is this the only major damage or are there other leaks/missing hardware? How did the damage happen?

That being said...the scrap value is there to fall back on if you feel like dealing with the hassle.

I'd pass on it and grab one up that has less issues for maybe a little more cash up front.

the damaged chine is 1 foot according to the owner. the chine itself is the only damage. i dont know how it happened.


in terms of it sinking, all i keep thinking is that all the wood/interior/etc is going in the trash. whats the worst that can happen to the hull being underwater for 2 days?

 

[jasoutside]

Re: about to pull the trigger on '83 22' starcraft islnder... opinions wanted

Man, I sure do love that model hull! That specific hull, maybe not so much.

I suppose I'd look at it this way...

What are ya buying?

Well, we know what you are not buying.

Motor
Trailer
Interior
Electrical
Controls
Gauges
Deck

So what are you left with?

The hull. And a damaged one at that. It sort of sketches me out a little that it was sunk too. I am thinking that if you could walk away with it in the $200 range than you MIGHT be aok! Then immediately turn around and sell the trailer for $200. At that point you'd have a free boat and I think that is probably about what it's worth too, eh! (That is about how mine shook out too)

I am left to wonder if there might be a rig out there that might be a little more expensive but have a running motor and a tandem trailer. You'd be that much further ahead! I don't think $4000 (your total cost estimate) would buy you a whole lot for this rig. You might find a nice 150 HP OB at that price but that would blow your entire budget! You'd still need to build the whole rig and find a nice trailer too. Rats! Now you are talking in the $5000 and up range, easy. I know I am seeing nice Islanders ready for the water in that range!

I do know I would have a very hard time turning that one down but I don't think I'd give him more than a couple of hundred for her I suppose. That hull sort of give me the willys, but is probably fixable. Shoot I had a hole the size of Montana in the back of mine!

Just some thoughts buddy! Have fun!!

 

[BIGcarpy50]

Re: about to pull the trigger on '83 22' starcraft islnder... opinions wanted

ANDY,

I love the work you did with the jupiter but i feel like this project might be a big one. If your up to it and feel comfortable with the possibility of getting into a big hole then i say go for it. I just wonder about the total care of the boat because what you are saying makes me feel like the PO beat the crap out of it. good luck!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: about to pull the trigger on '83 22' starcraft islnder... opinions wanted

Just thought of this....there's most likely poured foam in that one and lots of it. With it having sunk I'd be concerned about possible corrosion like Tim Fives and NB have seen in their foamed rigs.

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: about to pull the trigger on '83 22' starcraft islnder... opinions wanted

Run Forrest run...
No kidding Andy, I personally wouldn't touch it myself, reason being it sounds as though you have what I did when looking....that is 'blinders on'...granted you may, repeat, 'may' break even if worse came to worst, but it's not worth the headache's if you ask me...I kick myself everyday for not noticing the little things I missed in my rush to get a Sc...never again my friend, just my thoughts....best to you however this ends.

 

[Bondo]

Re: about to pull the trigger on '83 22' starcraft islnder... opinions wanted

hell even if i bought it and stripped it, sold what was good and scrapped it, i would still come out ahead with the trailer...

Ayuh,.... While yer Strippin' it of parts,+ wood,+ trash,...
Do a neighborhood/ family scrap aluminum drive,...
Old lawn chairs, conbination windows, old siding, pots 'n pans, etc...
You'll easily Double your investment, or more,+ still get the trailer,+ parts...

It's a doable restore, but it'd be a labor of Love,....
It'd keep ya outa the Bars for a good long time....

That's different than the problem I told you about,... Fixable, but not easy,..
Probably need a piece out of a donor hull...
The previous welding was done on Unclean surfaces by the looks....

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: about to pull the trigger on '83 22' starcraft islnder... opinions wanted

now im really on the fence with this...


i think i am going to call the guy and tell him ill show up with 250, otherwise im not interested.

i really liked this hull too, but you guys are right, too many issues.

 

[scipper77]

Re: about to pull the trigger on '83 22' starcraft islnder... opinions wanted

sounds like you are afraid to lose this one. That limits your ability to negotiate (trust me I negotiate a lot). Offer him $100, if he says no then leave him your number and tell him to call you back if it doesn't sell. Then find something else, and go through the same routine, eventually someone will either sell or call you back.

Be aware however that if a boat is well cared for and reasonably priced be prepared to pay what it's worth, but with junk like this one just put an offer out there and get the deal. When you factor in the additional time you have to put in to a basket case boat, even getting a steal on junk can be worse than paying fair value for something that is mechanically sound (and complete).

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: about to pull the trigger on '83 22' starcraft islnder... opinions wanted

well i decided to pass... realized last night that if i decided to go ahead with this project it would have cost me way to much with it needing an ob and new trailer...

ehh there will be another one along shortly...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: about to pull the trigger on '83 22' starcraft islnder... opinions wanted

Stop looking till after TinStock

 

[cedarjunki]

Re: about to pull the trigger on '83 22' starcraft islnder... opinions wanted

well i decided to pass... realized last night that if i decided to go ahead with this project it would have cost me way to much with it needing an ob and new trailer...

ehh there will be another one along shortly...

if it was an i/o setup, i would have traded the ss with you, and let you keep the trailer!

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: about to pull the trigger on '83 22' starcraft islnder... opinions wanted

why would you taunt me with a statement like that?!?!?!?!?!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: about to pull the trigger on '83 22' starcraft islnder... opinions wanted

Andy I have a place that will make that missing piece and I know a guy who will weld it in..... easy work