1975 Starcraft Islander

[Sandman2008]

Hellow all
I'm currently thinking about buying a 1975 starcraft Islander with a I/O. I have a few Question regaurding the boat


1. I have herd that the out drives are pretty weak prone to break down in that year boat is this true?

2. If so what should i check regaurding the outdrives? bellows the nuckle things like that I know but any certain wear items prone to break or be weak.

3 Any certain items on the boat or cab to inspect closly ?

4. The interer is shoot needs to come out all together and start new with the motor and drive in good working order what would the thing be worth 1,000 or 2,000. No camper top or cover not a hard top.
5. What would a camper top cost for it and wear would a good place to look be. I know their are sponser on the site but i would prefer used if possible. Or possible put a hard top on the boat. Is there a Islander grave yard anyone know of ? lol Any other tip or pit falls to watch out for?. I'm very excited about the thought of having my own Starcraft Islander I have aways wanted one but have never had the chance.Looking forword to your replays

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1975 Starcraft Islander

That boat is considered the holy grail to a bunch of us so it sure would be nice to see that thing brought to her original glory. A camper top would be around $1500 but it depends how fancy you want to be. You could get a binimy for $300 to get you buy or if your handy (better be) you could make your own. Not a pro on IOs but I'd consider converting to an OB but that's just me. Be prepared to replace the transom. Hard telling what it would go for without pics but around here if the IO runs and all the parts are there on a decent trailer I'd shoot for $1K. Need more info and pics. These doods want pics, lots of pics.

Good luck and welcome to the forums!

 

[barato2]

Re: 1975 Starcraft Islander

Michael nailed it. if the rest of interior is shot, transom will be too. when you say "camper top", do you mean a full enclosure or just a bimini top to keep the sun off, or a hardtop over the cockpit area?
no particular issues with Islanders. just be sure you want the smaller, lower-headroom cabin as opposed to similar length Chieftain. resto will be similar to any other tin cabin boat (Chieftains, Starchiefs, even the big Lone Star and Crestliner tinnie cruisers). for used parts, look at the "Starcraft parts" thread here or on fleebay. remember that most hardware is not specific to the Islander or even SC....everyone bought the same bow lights back then, etc, so stuff from most period boats will work and look OK. rather than build their own, most every mfgr buys their hardware from a few outfits that specialize in that stuff....Perko, Attwood, Morse, etc.

on the I/O: many possible pitfalls there. first off, you need to determine which I/O a boat has. the source of the rumors you heard is the old OMC "stringer drive" outdrives, also colloquially known as the "white leg of death".......some say they're fragile, but whetehr that's true or not, most parts are no longer available for one. do some research on these so you can spot one. consider that any boat wih one will probably need to have the hole in hull covered and an outboard on an external bracket or pod installed, or a conversion to the far more common Mercruiser I/O. the motor and outdrive you ideally want to look for in an I/O boat is a Mercruiser, either the 120 or 140hp inline four, the 165hp inline six, or a V8. common, easy to fix (basically chevy engines) and find parts for, and economical to run. avoid the "470" inline-four motor if possible.

problem is that in the Artic circle where you live, many I/Os were not properly winterized and have blown freeze plugs or cracked blocks, or have seized from not being used for years. take a battery and compression gauge and be sure it turns over and check compression. you may find an outboard conversion to be a good plan since winterizing on those is much simpler.

from what little you've told us about this boat, i wouldn't go over 1000 on it and not even that unless the motor was usable. have you looked on the "Starcraft on CL" thread? TONS of Starcrafts up there in your area....you are in the Old SC Graveyard of the world. ie, don't be overeager and pull the trigger on the wrong boat for you. be willing to drive to get the right boat. discuss with spouse exactly what you're looking for and what you want to do with it.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1975 Starcraft Islander

OMC, originally white outdrive, BAD:

Has a roughly round 'keyhole' shape thru the transom.....

Mercruiser outdrive, GOOD:

and has a more oblong keyhole shaped 'keyhole' thru the transom....

Not that the OMC was a bad outdrive when in good working order. It may have been. But it & repair parts are obsolete, you have to find a used one & hope to get usable parts...

I think Jas sold his OMC motor/outdrive to someone looking for spare/replacement parts. If the motor fires & the outdrive works, it does have value. But expect to have to repower & modify the transom if it's equipped w/ an OMC...

Crawl all over it's deck, inspect every nook & cranny of it for signs of soft wood.... Transom, seat boxes, the door & frame into the cuddy cabin. Open the cuddy storage boxes under the cushions & check inside them. Look at the wooden ribs & styro spacers under the bow deck(cuddy ceiling/roof). Firm but gently pressure with a long handled screw driver or an awl <<-- BUT ASK THE OWNER 1st..... Examine under any & all in floor storage areas and the interior areas of the engine well...

I linked Jas Islander thread, he took out the OMC, welded over the original transom keyhole & cut a Mercruiser keyhole & upgraded to the V6 motor. Good stuff in there. There are others in the SC owners group forum....

As MichaelP mentioned pix pix pix

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1975 Starcraft Islander

Welcome to the madness Sandman. So long as the motor and outdrive are Mercruiser, your good to go. Like said above you have to watch for cracked blocks and manifolds, but for the most part Mercruiser I/O's are real good. There is some maintanence but it is nothing to be afraid off. Heck we can even get you free manuals for the motor and out drive, try that for a gas gussling outboard.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1975 Starcraft Islander

Welcome to the madness Sandman. So long as the motor and outdrive are Mercruiser, your good to go. Like said above you have to watch for cracked blocks and manifolds, but for the most part Mercruiser I/O's are real good. There is some maintanence but it is nothing to be afraid off. Heck we can even get you free manuals for the motor and out drive, try that for a gas gussling outboard.

http://search.ebscohost.com/


Username: marshall
Password: public

after logon:

Select small engine repair

Select Marine/Boat motor

Scroll down to your manufacturer of OB or IO

Some are specific for your year & motor, others are combined yr's/hp ranges, but combined is better then nothing

Thanks WingedWheels

OB's & IO are in there, but some are not specific for only 1 model or yr

 

[Sandman2008]

Re: 1975 Starcraft Islander

Wow thank you guy's so much for the great info. It does not have the white leg of death lol. It looks almost like a alpha 1 out drive but a little differnt. As for the outboard option I do have a 1998 150 johnson Ocean racing outboard but it does kill the fuel. I had it on a 21 glass boat, had great power but it would burn 40 to 90 gallons a day fishing 20 to 30 miles out. of course it was aways pind wide open weather permiting lol. Just did not know what was involved in converting one over to an outboard. If what you say is true which I belive it is about the transom having to be replaced then you would be half way there. What kind of braket and extra bracing to the transom have to be done in order to hold the 150 hp o/b. Also was wondering if spending that kind of money on a old boat was wise. But Like stated above I belive it is a purpose built boat for the great lakes and there is no better boat then a Starcaft tin boat just my opion. I was talking about the camper top, Would love a hard top, because I have been know to stay out on the water for a few day's if the weather looks good and the fish are bitting. Thank you guys for all of the great info and I will keep you posted going to go look at her tonight after work. I can hardy wait just like a little kid lol. Keep the info coming, I do know their are a ton of Islanders in Michigan very popular boats. Just thinking if buying a mid 80's for like 3,000 to 4,000 might be a better deal in the long run. But then what are the chance's they have the same issues. The boats up hear turn into solid blocks for ice for 4 moths of the year up hear lol.

 

[barato2]

Re: 1975 Starcraft Islander

you can get commercially made brackets and pods, or build your own. yes, you probably would have to brace the transom.....i'd make up 2 knee braces from alum L-channel and some square tube and tie em to stringers. the I/O option would be a lot more economical on fuel for your long runs to the fish, unless you have the $ for a 4 stroke or direct injection OB.

as far as spending the $ on an old boat, it's real easy to spend more than the ECONOMIC value of the old hull. but as far as WEARInG OUT, absent some extraordinary stress or weird corrosion situ, the alum hull lasts more or less forever. restore it right and you'll be passing it on to your kids or grandkids.

we all understand the "kid before Xmas" feeling! going to look at one myself on the way home.

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1975 Starcraft Islander

Sandman, if you want a ready to go Great lakes boat here you go, this would be perfect.http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/boa/3101063337.html
Lets try that

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1975 Starcraft Islander

D: Didn't link or it's already gone

 

[North Beach]

Re: 1975 Starcraft Islander

Sandman, if you want a ready to go Great lakes boat here you go, this would be perfect. http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hn...101063337.html

Linky no worky....

And Sandman, lots of people are always talkin about doin that I/O to OB conversion but none of them want to be the guy that spends the cash to do it..... That 75 most likely has a Mercruiser 165 HP GM Six Banger in it. Some say it's a great motor.

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: 1975 Starcraft Islander

Linky no worky....

And Sandman, lots of people are always talkin about doin that I/O to OB conversion but none of them want to be the guy that spends the cash to do it..... That 75 most likely has a Mercruiser 165 HP GM Six Banger in it. Some say it's a great motor.

It is an awesome motor. As is the 3.0 and the more modern 4.3 liter V6. Man I love those Chevy motors, and my Ford trucks too. LOL That I6 (stovebolt) will do you good.

My .02 cents on the I/O to outboard conversion. Here goes ahem..... if you want an outboard, buy an out board ready boat. If you want an I/O look for and buy an I/O. There are many of these boats around. Get whatever type you want. Converting one to the other just sound expensive to me. I won't even get into the risk factor.

If you want top be a supr macho man and do it, hey I'll watch. I'll pull for you. Of course Weldzilla seams to have pulled it off on a Sea Nymph Offshore. He says he loves it.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1975 Starcraft Islander

So, did you get a look at her? Whatdya see? Any photos?

By the way:

Islander captains are easily the sharpest and most handsome in all the fleet. Just sayin

 

[Sandman2008]

Re: 1975 Starcraft Islander

So, did you get a look at her? Whatdya see? Any photos?

By the way:

Islander captains are easily the sharpest and most handsome in all the fleet. Just sayin

Yes it was pile. I Do have pictures and tried to post. Everything was junk except the hull. Thinking I will keep my eyes open for one in a little better condition. Do not mind working on a project but not when I will have more money into it then if I just bought a nicer boat to begin with.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1975 Starcraft Islander

Cool man. Yah, with how much you told me she was asking on the pm side it ought to have been a pretty nice boat. Ah well, you'll find one. Good news is that it's going on cheap boat buying season!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1975 Starcraft Islander

Here's a "make offer" Islander.. http://saginaw.craigslist.org/boa/3175405612.html

 

[Sandman2008]

Re: 1975 Starcraft Islander

Here's a "make offer" Islander.. http://saginaw.craigslist.org/boa/3175405612.html

Lol that's the boat I looked at

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1975 Starcraft Islander

Lol that's the boat I looked at

Ha!!!

Well, a trashed boat with a good hull is $400ish anyway. But if she's starting at $2K, she'd prolly not go for it.

 

[magnumdeke]

Re: 1975 Starcraft Islander

Welcome Sandman, Keep looking, If you want a total gut and rebuild job pay no more than 700$, 500$ is what I ended up paying and I feel it was an alright deal. I am going with the outboard conversion route, it fits my needs. Good luck on your search!
PS. Looking for a 150 hp outboard, maybe you know someone that has one LOL