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

[Fj40fiji]

The surf board is watching this from the rafters.

 

[Fj40fiji]

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]

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]

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

 

[Fj40fiji]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[Fj40fiji]

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]

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

 

[Fj40fiji]

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]