****NEED ADVICE ON BOAT PURCHASE, 19FT STARCRAFT ISLANDER**ALUMINUM HULL???**

[Lukelona]

I'm lookin at buying a 1993 starcraft islander 191 this sunday. I'm in Virginia and mostly fish in the bay with an occasional ocean trip.
​this boat came from PA originally, 2 owners since new. Has the bulletproof 3.0 Mercruiser. All looks to be very clean and after talking to the older gentleman that owns it I can tell its been well cared for. looking online I see them for sale from 7k to 15k. I'm getting it much less then these as the guy just has no more interest in boating.
​it is only 19ft long, but as a high freeboard etc. I'm used to glass boats 20 to 24 ft.
​so few questions before making the 3 hr trip for this thing,

​A- How do y;all think this thing will do being light aluminum hull? should it handle chopy bay days like my glass boats? Or will it beat the heck out of us while under way?

​B- does anyone have experience with these boats in particular? Are they a well built boat overall?

​C- Will it have corrosion problems being used in saltwater? id of course wash after each use which I always do anyway.


​please any info is helpful thanks
​I am gonna try to attach a pic, if it doesn't work you can google starcraft islander 191 to see its design

 

[roscoe]

Lots of them up this way on the Great Lakes.
Yes it is much lighter than a glass boat, so no it will not ride as smooth or "heavy" in the water.
They are very solid hulls.
There were a few years back in the 70's that showed a weak spot on the big hulls, mostly 21-26 footers. But that issue was corrected long ago.
Salt use shouldn't be a big concern, many have been used in salt.

iboats has a very active Starcraft forum, so any specific questions might best be asked there.

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/owners-groups-by-manufacturer/s/starcraft-boats

The 19'er is not roomy enough for me, but if it suits your needs, go for it.

 

[Lukelona]

Nice n ya a 19 is a proper small for me too.
I actually struck a deal on a 89 Chris Craft 23' cruiser the wife really likes! I'm debating on pulling the trigger on it instead. Has a brand new Mercruiser engine last year. Really good shape just gna need some upholstery work in future.
Decisions....lol

 

[JimS123]

I just hate boats with brand new Mercruiser engines. Taking care of a boat is easy peasy. If the PO screwed up the engine what else is wrong with it.

Light aluminum boats don't ride as well as heavy glass ones. They also use less gas. When I switched to a Deep V bottom Starcraft for fishing I was amazed at how well it rode in the chop. I'd go with an Islander in a heartbeat, but that's just my opinion.

 

[Watermann]

Islanders are great boats and will handle chop just fine. I would worry about the trailer and Mercruiser being flushed more than the boat unless it has carpet bunks then the hull could see some issues down the road where it sat on the soaked salty carpet.

 

[b.gagnon]

Aluminum boats are great... -BUT- if you are used to 20-24' fiberglass boats you will never be happy with it... They just don't have the weight and tend to get tossed around!

 

[ezmobee]

I'm a Starcraft fanatic but I've got a buddy with a 191 I/O Islander and I absolutely hate it. It rides bad and there's little room behind the cabin and it sits stern heavy in the water. Pretty big engine dog house taking up a lot of room in the rear.

 

[82rude]

Thats why outboard equipped islanders are so coveted.

 

[Lukelona]

Islanders are great boats and will handle chop just fine. I would worry about the trailer and Mercruiser being flushed more than the boat unless it has carpet bunks then the hull could see some issues down the road where it sat on the soaked salty carpet.

Trailer is a 08 and in perfect condition according to owner. Also boat was originally from PA, so no salt water. It's been used a handful of times since brought South.

 

[Lukelona]

I'm a Starcraft fanatic but I've got a buddy with a 191 I/O Islander and I absolutely hate it. It rides bad and there's little room behind the cabin and it sits stern heavy in the water. Pretty big engine dog house taking up a lot of room in the rear.

I've heard this a few times... Wonder why it's so big if it's only a 4cyl? Or bc the cabin is big for a 19ftr?

 

[Old Ironmaker]

That Islander and my StarCraft Superfisherman 190 share basically the same deep V hull. The difference between my tin 19 footer and a glass 19 footer is noticeable in bad water. The older I get the less I go out in 4 foot waves. This year if I see white caps I'm going golfing. I will tell you Islanders are very desirable boats around here regardless of age, they are built like Aircraft Carriers compared to all or at least most aluminum boats. Lund a close second, maybe. I have never seen an unhappy SC owner. Glass and aluminum boats have there advantages and disadvantages. Glass boats come with better stability and poorer fuel costs including towing to name the biggest difference. One buddies fuel and oil costs are near double that of mine, same size. I know guys with 20 foot fibreglass rigs that their 1/2 ton truck is straining to pull. I don't even know my buddies 21 foot StarCraft is behind my Silverado.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Too late to edit. Buddy has a 19 foot fibreglass Thundercraft bowrider. I agree much more room with any outboard since the cabin takes up so much room, a common complaint with all cuddy's with I/O's . I don't think I will ever own an I/O. I don't see the advantage of I/O's. A 300 HP 4 stroke will move most any boat, need more power throw 2 on the transom or better yet a Super 7, whoorah.

 

[Watermann]

Yeah yeah I've heard it a hundred times if not more how great outboards are. There's one thing that isn't factored into that and it's the experience of driving an inboard boat, for one you can look back at your wake and actually see it rather than an advertisement for a Japanese motor company. Even if a boat is just for fishing, getting there is half the fun.

This short 2 minute video of a classic boat captures that feeling. Try to imagine this with a couple of outboards hanging off the back, not gonna happen. Then there's a cool factor of how the boat sounds.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Yeah yeah I've heard it a hundred times if not more how great outboards are. There's one thing that isn't factored into that and it's the experience of driving an inboard boat, for one you can look back at your wake and actually see it rather than an advertisement for a Japanese motor company. Even if a boat is just for fishing, getting there is half the fun.

This short 2 minute video of a classic boat captures that feeling. Try to imagine this with a couple of outboards hanging off the back, not gonna happen. Then there's a cool factor of how the boat sounds.

Waterman, that just isn't fair to compare that custom "ITALIAN" classic to any old outboard powered scow. A Toyota Tercel is a car but it doesn't share much with a Ferrari. When my little buddy kicks in the twins in his massive Pete Fountain off shore racer he has I have a saying for the sound it makes, "That's the sound of money". As in the cost. But she sure sounds purdy. Nothing like that sound. Maybe my next life.

Giovanni Di.