Need help on Starcraft Islander

[fattroutlounge]

Hi,
I have '99 Islander 221v. It has a hard top. It appears to be factory installed. However, I was just told from a marine repair shop that Starcraft would sell hardtops aftermarket. So, I don't know if was factory or not.

Next, there is flexing in the cabin ceiling that has caused the aluminum on the port side to split where the cockpit window meets the outside of the cabin ceiling. For those who own a starcraft islander, the crack occurs in the middle of the cabin window, just above it. There is a secondary crack in the bow where the cabin meets the bow deck in the far left port side corner.

Lastly, the cockpit roof itself has cracks occuring where the vertical structural members meet the gunnel towards the stearn. This is occuring on both port and starboard sides. The cracks are occuring in the aluminum "C" channel where it is mitred.

My questions are: 1) has anyone seen something like this before? 2) if so, what can be done about it? 3) does this require a marine repair shop or is it something that can be done at home?

Thanks in advance,
Fattroutlounge

 

[Raystownboater]

Re: Need help on Starcraft Islander

Post a pic or two. It will serve to calm the angry mob and you will get better information regarding your questions. The starmada will be able to look at your boat and tell you, right off, whether your hard top is factory or not.

 

[paparoof]

Re: Need help on Starcraft Islander

Sounds to me like the hard top is too heavy for what's supporting it. Makes me wanna believe it's aftermarket cause I'd like to believe Starcraft wouldn't design a flaw like that into their own boats - but of course plenty of manufacturers have done dumber things. I'm guessing you've already concluded both of these things on your own and I haven't helped you a bit.

So post up some pics and someone here might be able to say for sure it's factory or not, but more importantly you'll get MUCH better advice about how to fix it. The better the detail we can see in the pics, the better the advice you'll get.

Without pics you'll only be able to get generic, mildly useful answers like this one:
You can probably use 5200 and rivet aluminum patches and angle pieces into place - enough to beef the heck out of the supporting structure, then JB the cracks, sand 'em down, paint and be good to go.

 

[paparoof]

Re: Need help on Starcraft Islander

And explain "fattroutlounge"! Sounds like the place I wanna go fishing.

 

[barato2]

Re: Need help on Starcraft Islander

is it something that can be done at home?

depends. how are your TIG welding skills?