Islander 19' vs 22'

1216bandit

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Aug 18, 2008
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214
I am thinking about moving up to the larger Islander. I had thought of the 26 footer but think it may be just a bit much for me and the lady to launch/ retrieve on our own. Anyhow, just wondering how the little 3 litre works out in the 22' boat. Is it enough motor? I know on the 19 footer it moves the boat along ok and I'm really happy with the way it just sips fuel, but there is a weight gain with the 22'.

How does that 4.3 work out on the 22'? I would imagine its quite a bit peppier but is it still fairly economical to operate at a reasonable cruise speed?

As far as the outdrive, some I am looking at have the omc cobra outdrive (mine is alpha 1). Is there any downside to this outdrive or anything I should be aware of? I should also mention the years I am looking at will probably be late 80's early 90's

Thanx for any tips.....Dan
 

jasoutside

Supreme Mariner
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Dec 20, 2009
Messages
13,269
Re: Islander 19' vs 22'

How does that 4.3 work out on the 22'? I would imagine its quite a bit peppier but is it still fairly economical to operate at a reasonable cruise speed?

Well, I have to say that my 4.3 is terrible! I can't even get that 22' hull up on plane with it!

Of course, it sitting tarped about 200 yards away from the boat too:D

Hopefully this time next year I could give you a better assessment.
 

1216bandit

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Aug 18, 2008
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214
Re: Islander 19' vs 22'

Well, I have to say that my 4.3 is terrible! I can't even get that 22' hull up on plane with it!

Of course, it sitting tarped about 200 yards away from the boat too:D

Hopefully this time next year I could give you a better assessment.

I've been following the work on your boat....very nice!! I will be starting on the floor and transom on mine in the next week or so. The plan is to take my time and look around for the right deal on the 22' and after that is bought than I'll sell the 19'. Worst case is I'll keep the 19' with the new floor, paint etc., but I really am keen on a bit bigger fishin boat!
 

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
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Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: Islander 19' vs 22'

You do NOT want an OMC stern drive. They became obsolete a decade ago and parts and service are dwindling. Stick with Merc or Volvo.
 

elkhunter338

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 27, 2009
Messages
818
Re: Islander 19' vs 22'

I have a 21' Cheiftain, loaded with fishing gear, halibut weights, 15hp kicker, 6 gallons 2 stroke gas, 32 gallons of main fuel, 4 people, 3/4 plywood floor. I have 3.0 merc. @ sea level I get 28 mph @ 4600 rpms, cruise at 20 mph. I like the motor boat combo for fishing. Rarely can I go faster than 20 mph and I use the main motor to troll with for salmon. I think she does good on fuel economy.
I suspect the v-6 would do just fine on fuel and give you pleanty of power.
I would buy a 22' with either the chevy v-6 or I-4.
I want a 26' Islander with twin Honda or e-tec outboards but that is not in my future plans at this time.
 

Pugetsound

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 5, 2009
Messages
1,824
Re: Islander 19' vs 22'

I had a Rienell with a in line 6 dont know if it was a 4.2 it was listed as a 160. However very easy on gas and very easy to service and parts easy to locate. It was a GMC block.
 

Casey G

Seaman Apprentice
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Aug 6, 2010
Messages
35
Re: Islander 19' vs 22'

I have a 221-V hardtop with a 4.3 in it. Last week we drove 11 miles then trolled over 9 miles then back to the launch was 13 miles and it sipped 7.1 gallons of gas. Cruising speed is around 31 gps and wot is 39gps. I have no problem getting it to troll to 1.7 gps. I have trim tabs on it which help alot. I do have the cobra outdrive on mine with no problems, if i do have problems I will switch it out with a SEI outdrive. Good luck with your hunt, it is a awesome boat. I have no problems launching it by myself either.
 

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
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Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: Islander 19' vs 22'

I do have the cobra outdrive on mine with no problems, if i do have problems I will switch it out with a SEI outdrive.

This is a good point. The availability of the SEI conversion does make a Cobra less of a deal-breaker. You definitely still don't want a Stringer drive though.
 

paparoof

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 22, 2010
Messages
730
Re: Islander 19' vs 22'

I have a 22' Islander with the 165hp straight 6. Mine has the same problem as Jas' though, in that the motor is sitting in a trailer next to the boat so I can't give you a real world answer yet.

The guy I bought it from swore it would do 35mph.
 

snowman48047

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 24, 2008
Messages
371
Re: Islander 19' vs 22'

What is the hp rating of those 3.0's and 4.3's? My 221 Islander with a 150 OB will push along at 36-37mph. Is there that much speed difference between I/O and OB of the same hp rating on the same hulls?

Paparoof what is your engine? 4.3?
 

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
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Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: Islander 19' vs 22'

Is there that much speed difference between I/O and OB of the same hp rating on the same hulls?

Yes because the outboard is much lighter than the I/O powertrain. On say an 18' runabout, a 90-100HP outboard would give you similar performance to a 3.0L 130HP I/O.
 

barato

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 27, 2008
Messages
386
Re: Islander 19' vs 22'

On say an 18' runabout, a 90-100HP outboard would give you similar performance to a 3.0L 130HP I/O.

and use the same or more fuel........
 

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: Islander 19' vs 22'

The 165 is a GREAT GREAT motor!!!!!!!!
.....for an I/O. Despite its greatness I would still sell it immediately if it was given to ME before it broke, sank, or otherwise ruined me financially.

There, fixed it. :p
 

fshngho

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 1, 2009
Messages
1,332
Re: Islander 19' vs 22'

You three characters are something else:eek:
Thank you all for the laughs, I needed that:p
And HA is correct, I have read many many post where EZ voices his "opinion" of IB/OBs--LOL
 

1216bandit

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 18, 2008
Messages
214
Re: Islander 19' vs 22'

thanx for the input. I think I could live with a 3.0 in a 22' but the ideal combo sounds like the 4.3 engine. I did look at a 26' hardtop last year and man it made my boat look like a dingy! I think for my needs the 22' is the ideal rig.
 

airshot

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 22, 2008
Messages
5,431
Re: Islander 19' vs 22'

I have a 1983 islander 22' with 3.0 140 hp. Excellent boat, I also moved up from a 19' bowrider o/b. This I/O stuff is new to me but so far I am very pleased. My 140 does 32 mph (gps) two adults and fishing gear., typ cruise at 3000rpm is 22 mph which is about perfect for Lake Erie chop. Rarely can you maintain a faster speed without abusing your boat. handles the 2-3 ft waves much better than the 19'.
Deeper for a drier ride, wife likes the cuddy for the portapotty option!! it also uses far less fuel than the OB. Our last major ride was 30 miles and it used just a little over 8 gallons. Also easy to load and unload if you have the correct trailer. I have a magliner drive on roller trailer, can power load or winch with ease.

Airshot
 
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