Islander Transom and Decking Replacement

[Reming870]

I am starting this thread here in means to share my experience and soak up the experience from all here. I am in the process of replacing the decking, foam and the transom on my 1984 Islander and am starting to come up with a bunch of questions. I've tried putting them in the approprate forums but they keep getting moved by moderators or the responses are not what I am looking for, so maybe I can get the answers here in the "Best" forum on this site.

First off: "What did I get myself into????"

Secondly: "Holy SH$%, that foam holds a lot of water"

Right now, I have the transom stripped of 27 years of additions and alterations, some of the decking removed, and now need to pull the OD and motor. This is all straight forward.

Most of my questions are regarding ordering parts, tools, and equipment needed for the motor and OD. I am looking for some help and/or recommnedations to what I should be replacing when reassembling this catastrophe. I would like to get these orders going so I have the parts in hand when I need them.

 

[dozerII]

Re: Islander Transom and Decking Replacement

First off welcome to the wonderfull world of Starcraft. You came to the right place, there is a ton of info available just for the asking. Depending on the parts you are looking for, you can get lots right here on I boats. Alot depends on where you are from as well. For OEM parts for your motor and out drive it depends on the type and brand you have. I have some really great leads but need more info first. And as you will find out, Photos are a must or the natives get real restless around here!!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Islander Transom and Decking Replacement

Yep. We're here for you whenever you have specific questions.

 

[Reming870]

Re: Islander Transom and Decking Replacement

Is there a specific kit for gaskets, impeller, etc... for the OD.

It is a 3.0 L Mercruiser with Alpha One hanging off the back.

I'll get the junkies started with a couple pics in a bit. Here's a teaser to start with, pre-demolition.

 

[Reming870]

Re: Islander Transom and Decking Replacement

Here's a pic of me fitting a 10-gallon boat ina 5-gallon garage. Its in there though. Tight fit, but its dry and warm. Had to remove the windshield to make it fit, but it was well worth the effort and time to get it into the garage.

 

[dozerII]

Re: Islander Transom and Decking Replacement

Depending on if you want to go with, OE parts or not just go to the parts look up section here on Iboats and you will find what you need or there are other web sites with Mercruiser parts and in some cases better lookup. mercstuff.com is great for info. If you post your year and model in the Mercruiser forum on Iboats and ask for the motor and drive manuals some will post up the link for free pdf ones.
Glen

 

[Reming870]

Re: Islander Transom and Decking Replacement

Is there where the exhaust shutters were? I found them in the Bellows.

 

[Reming870]

Re: Islander Transom and Decking Replacement

Engine and transom removal system. I have a patent out on this.

 

[Reming870]

Re: Islander Transom and Decking Replacement

Foam, Foam, foam, and more foam, then I found more foam, foam, foam!!!! FOAM, FOAm, FOam, Foam, foam, I think I,m losing my foam!!!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Islander Transom and Decking Replacement

Ugh. Poured foam is a drag!

 

[barato2]

Re: Islander Transom and Decking Replacement

good plan on how to modify your hoist to do the job! but you have more confidence in those tiedown straps than i would....i'll steal your idea for the next engine install, but i may use 1/2 or 5/8" nylon rope instead......

 

[KellyC]

Re: Islander Transom and Decking Replacement

Engine and transom removal system. I have a patent out on this.
View attachment 89330

Man I wish I had thought of that, getting my engine out was such a PITA that I could not believe it. And still need to pull my transom as well and I was dreading that. With your idea I am betting it would work big time. Did you have any issues getting the motor to the ground from the bed of the truck? Don't know if your truck is stock or not but mine has 36's under it with a 2 1/2 inch leveling kit on it. So am thinking that my hoist would not be able to drop the engine on the ground. But I really do like the idea of doing it this way. Thanks for the idea Reming870.

 

[GLG fishing]

Re: Islander Transom and Decking Replacement

Great idea with the hoist in the truck. I?ll have to use that one next time. I would think that the engine would only have to go down to an engine stand and not the floor. If it needs to go on the floor then the two-step method could be used.
Oh an thanks for the pic?s your doing a great job.
GLG

 

[Reming870]

Re: Islander Transom and Decking Replacement

Plenty of room to the ground. I had the picker fully extended and there was enough room to get it to the ground. An engine stand would have been ideal, but right now its in the driveway on a skid. There were two more sets of straps on the base of the picker as well with a back-up chain. When I did pulled the transom we actually lifted the boat off the trailer at one point. That foam has some serious strength to it.

 

[KellyC]

Re: Islander Transom and Decking Replacement

Oh yea, I can see that I would have to use the 2 step method that is for sure. My bumper is probably close to twice the height of yours so there is no way even with my engine hoist fully extended it is going to reach the ground. On the bright side of that is that I will not have any issues cleaering the transom once I do get the engine on the hoist. I am going to use this method to pull my transom that is for sure, I think that it is the only way that I am going to get the stupid thing out when it is time as I don't have anyone to help me lift it out of the boat and it is also a long ways up there. Keep up the good work bud.
Kelly

 

[barato2]

Re: Islander Transom and Decking Replacement

Kelly-- two thoughts: 1. you could make sort of a "ramp" from tailgate to ground out of 2x12, 3/4 plywood, or whatever and slowly slide the old motor down. i did this solo and it worked fine
2. what i might do next time is make a simple crude-but-sturdy table from 2x4 scraps and the leftovers from your 3/4 plywood. then get some chain for a long sling for engine and lift it first onto table, then shorten your chain sling to minimum to hoist it over transom

 

[Reming870]

Re: Islander Transom and Decking Replacement

Transom Progress. HD had AC plywood cheaper than BC. So I bought a few sheets. Screwed two together, placed the old on for a template, cut the big sections with a skill saw and the finer detail with a jig saw. Time to Epoxy.

 

[Reming870]

Re: Islander Transom and Decking Replacement

Questions:

1. Are the two round inlets required at the bottom of the transom? I see no need for me to cut that detail out of the transom when there is nothing there.
2. The OD hole cut on the original is angled slightly. Is that required? How do I cut-out this angle if it is?

 

[rockb]

Re: Islander Transom and Decking Replacement

Man I wish I had thought of that, getting my engine out was such a PITA that I could not believe it. And still need to pull my transom as well and I was dreading that. With your idea I am betting it would work big time. Did you have any issues getting the motor to the ground from the bed of the truck? Don't know if your truck is stock or not but mine has 36's under it with a 2 1/2 inch leveling kit on it. So am thinking that my hoist would not be able to drop the engine on the ground. But I really do like the idea of doing it this way. Thanks for the idea Reming870.

Connect a chain hoist to the engine hoist. Use the engine hoist to lift the engine out then the chain hoist to lower it to the ground.

I'd suggest chain instead of the ratchet straps.

 

[Kstar]

Re: Islander Transom and Decking Replacement

I like your engine removal idea. Nice looking boat!