I didn't want to restore this 1997 Islander this summer

Fj40fiji · Jul 24, 2025

The surf board is watching this from the rafters.

Fj40fiji · Saturday at 6:37 AM

I had the hole I cut to fit around the bung a little off center, which pulled the whole laminate to one side. When you need to over cut a hole with a hole saw you can cut a scrap and clamp it where you need it and use it to control the hole saw from the outside when there is nothing for the arbor to pierce.

Fj40fiji · Saturday at 6:40 AM

I had this little tool I bought when rebuilding my GM automatic transmission (a job not worth doing) that worked great for clamping the bottom of the transom skin for marking. Any old bolt, a couple of spreaders and a PVC coupler on the inside would do the same.

Fj40fiji · Saturday at 6:41 AM

My wife asked me what it would take to convert the boat to outboard.
From this step honey? An engine and controls.

Fj40fiji · Saturday at 7:07 AM

Cleaning up the channel that connects the transom and gunwhale at the rub rail. It was too soft to drive out rivets unsupported, so a shim and off cut of plywood gives me a support, and the transom blank gives me a heavy table to work over.

redneck joe · Saturday at 9:28 AM

If you aregoing to miss this season anyway and youhave the funds, convert to twin outboards or at least a big unit and a good kicker.

redneck joe · Saturday at 9:29 AM

Fj40fiji said:
I had the hole I cut to fit around the bung a little off center, which pulled the whole laminate to one side. When you need to over cut a hole with a hole saw you can cut a scrap and clamp it where you need it and use it to control the hole saw from the outside when there is nothing for the arbor to pierce.

Hot glue works as well

Fj40fiji · Saturday at 10:25 AM

Ways of backing up the various holes I need to drill working solo:

Fj40fiji · Saturday at 10:30 AM

redneck joe said:
If you aregoing to miss this season anyway and youhave the funds, convert to twin outboards or at least a big unit and a good kicker.

The temptation is real: there was* a 4 stroke Honda 225 with under 200 hours on the market right now for $4,000 with controls. Not sure the year, maybe 10 years old, but still. . .
I already have a very good Yamaha 15 kicker that will get me more or less to my hull speed.
I’m not out of the running for some good fall fishing yet, I’m gonna plow ahead with this stern drive. I can buy or build another one later.

redneck joe · Saturday at 11:13 AM

Let the outboard force flow thu you. Feel it, embrace it...

Fj40fiji · Saturday at 1:09 PM

redneck joe said:
Let the outboard force flow thu you. Feel it, embrace it...

it’s not that I don’t want to go to the dark side.

redneck joe · Saturday at 3:06 PM

Fj40fiji · Sunday at 7:59 AM

Before coating the back of my transom with epoxy, I laid out and all the holes and made oversized dimples. The hope is I have a plastic “washer” remaining when I drill them out so I have a little better seal around my fasteners.

Fj40fiji · Sunday at 8:05 AM

redneck joe said:
View attachment 410394

I put off cutting out the holes for the drive for a few hours yesterday seriously revisiting the thought of going forward with a conversion. Ultimately I decided I didn’t want to open that can of worms on this boat right now. When I bought this boat, it was largely to try it out and see how it suits my needs and my family. The kids won’t be little for long though, and the cuddy cabin doesn’t contribute to the fishability of the boat so I think I better finish what I started and get back on the water ASAP and when I do eventually go for a center console or pilot house boat I’ll make sure either it’s an outboard or I am prepared to convert it.

redneck joe · Sunday at 9:02 AM

I've been thru many, many boats over the years and most all have fit my needs for the time. So enjoy the next 30 or so years...

Fj40fiji · Monday at 4:04 PM

I spent the day working on the transom, sanding the Marine Tex epoxy I put on it, and needed to mix up a tiny bit more to go back over a few spots. Next I spent time detailing the engine, gimbal, and transom mount assemblies. I had a great experience with a can of Rustoleum Engine enamel- it had a nozzle that made a fan pattern like a touch up gun, really excellent distribution and coverage. I hope that is the future of rattle cans.

Fj40fiji · Monday at 9:32 PM

Drilled the through holes in the transom tonight- I think I will through bolt the swim step. I see guys using them to carry a cooler or bait tank, I don’t know if I am going to roll those dice but I can’t see the harm in through bolting rather than the little screw it had before.

cyclops222 · Tuesday at 6:07 AM

Remember to use waterproof sealant on anything passing thru the hull surfaces. Transom rot land.

Gibbles · Tuesday at 3:40 PM

Fj40fiji said:
It wouldn’t really be a boat restoration otherwise.

good image of the livewell fittings, I have been trying to find mine.

I would say replace those with new plastic while you have it apart.
It's hard to do once the floor is reinstalled.

I wish I replaced mine while I had the engine out.

redneck joe · Tuesday at 4:11 PM

Oh yes, all new.

I didn't want to restore this 1997 Islander this summer

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