Decent Deal on an Islander

[blubing]

Hi Folks,
Went to look at this boat and did a driveway inspection. Here's the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/?cmd=ViewItem&_trksid=p5197.c0.m619&item=230838573892#ht_534wt_1161

Engine started and ran well. It shifted well. Engine oil was clean when I started it. Ran 15 minutes and it was still clean.

Trailer is W A Y overkill and does not support the last 20 inches of the boat.

Floors and transom are solid. Interior is worn. Hard top is not original and is supported with poles on all four sides, not by the windshield as it first appears.

You'll note the extra bracing in the cuddy both vertically and horizontally. Horizontally by the two posts and vertically by a rubber-covered screw that goes from one side to another and is under tension. This arrangement concerns me. My inclination is to remove the hard top.

All gauges and switches work. One of 3 depthfinders is nonfunctioning.

He's asking $2,500 and it's a 2 hour drive to home. My inclination is to trade out the trailer for one that fits the boat in terms of capacity and length.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks!

Bill

 

[barato2]

Re: Decent Deal on an Islander

Bill--

since no one else has responded, i'll dive in and display my ignorance here. sounds like you've done your homework and know mostly what to look for/at.

this drivetrain is cheap and easy to replace but it's nice not to have to. i'd run a compression test on it and check VERY carefully for evidence of winterizing issues....block crackage, blowing out freeze plugs, etc....this is what kills most of these motors, rather than wear and hours, esp up near the Arctic circle there. the other big problem is the exhaust manifold rusting and allowing water from its water jacketing into engine....look carefully at plugs when you pull em for any sign of corrosion.

his price is cheap as boats go, but it's big $ for an old SC unless you can eliminate the likely issues. IF boat is in fact as water ready as it seems, i'd go 2500 on it, subject to some explanation from the seller for the addtl bracing in the cuddy. what are the posts made of? my guess is that it's so people can sit or climb on the cuddy roof without cracking windshield.....prev O of my Starchief advised me that's how the big crack in the lower windshield got there. not sure about the horizontal screw brace. do you have any pix of that?

be SURE floors and transom are OK as these are a huge PITA to replace on a cabin boat.

hard top looks like it was cannibalized off something else but doesn't scare me. did i see a hatch in the thing or was i looking at the photos wrong? i'd try boat with it before you decide to yank it.

2 hour drive is nothing to find the boat o' yer dreams. but it will require trailer being in usable shape for tow home and you may not want to drop too much $ on it if it's going to be replaced. maybe carry a couple of extra wheel bearings and some marine grease and gloves with you so you're ready in case you have issues.

 

[blubing]

Re: Decent Deal on an Islander

The photo of the cuddy shows a black line towards the top. That's the bar. It appears to prevent the sides from moving outward.

Yes, the hard top has a hatch. It would be an awesome place to sit with a camera and tripod.

Good advice. I need to return with a compression tester and a few wrenches.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Decent Deal on an Islander

If it's truly turn key, $2500 is aok, not a super deal though. It would surprise me if the deck/transom were all good, eh.

 

[North Beach]

Re: Decent Deal on an Islander

Well this may sound stiupid but that's never stopped me before I spend a good deal of time standing up when I'm at the helm. I'm only 5'11" and usually look out over the windshield. What is the material on the front of the added top that connects to the windshield? Can you see thru it? Or are you required to duck when you're running over folks at the gas dock?

 

[blubing]

Re: Decent Deal on an Islander

Well this may sound stiupid but that's never stopped me before I spend a good deal of time standing up when I'm at the helm. I'm only 5'11" and usually look out over the windshield. What is the material on the front of the added top that connects to the windshield? Can you see thru it? Or are you required to duck when you're running over folks at the gas dock?

Wood, so pretty much duck and crash. I don't think I'd keep that top on, as appealing as it is for a photography site. Plus it's kind of dark under there.

 

[blubing]

Re: Decent Deal on an Islander

Decided to forget about this one. Concluding negotiations on a '69 Chieftain (my preference anyway) with very straight hull, no cobbled hard top, new floor, and a relatively new paint job for substantially less.

 

[barato2]

Re: Decent Deal on an Islander

i always thought the Islander looked like a Chieftain that got a chop and channel job, a la 50s Mercury hotrods......

we all like that "substantially less" part