Please talk me out of this

[DonRamon]

Hi all, fresh on the forum but I'm a aspiring Starcraft owner. When I saw the '74 Islander, it just sits in my head and I can't get it to go away. That IS my boat..

This is an extremely inconvenient issue... because:

* I have not owned a boat before
* I live in Singapore - that is far-far-far away from you guys
* I don't have space
* I have a newborn and a 2 year old
* Berthing is pricey
* My wife gets seasick

All odds are against me, I would say. But hey, no mountain too high, I'm just going to see if I can pull this off.

I love the boat, I have been doing up cars and motorbikes since I was 16, and this aluminum tub is just my toy. So I'm comfortable with old skool heavy metal and it's associated bleeding fingers, emotional dispair & maritial assault. With hindsight - it always seems to make up for all of that.

* 1st - I need to find a boat in very good nick, and I understand it takes some $$ to find that. Check this out, a little over budget but WOW:

http://ads.boatboss.com/143_Minneapolis/26626_1978_22_STARCRAFT_ISLANDER_RESTORED_LIKE_NEW_.html

I am not after perfect upholstery or installed home theather systems - but the integrity should be good - I don't have the space to do sheetmetal work etc. Originality is a huge plus.

* 2nd I need to trust the seller or find someone / some company who can audit the boat for me before I pay the thing
* 3rd I need to find a shipping agent to bring this here to Singapore
* 4th I need to convince my wife that seasickness is just imagination
* 5th I need to find a reliable source for parts (ebay?)

Has anyone of you have some experience with this? I could use some tips & hinters to get my Islander roaming the waters & battleing the pirates here in the South Chinese Sea. Advise would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance you all.

Ramon

 

[snowman48047]

Re: Please talk me out of this

* I have not owned a boat before
* I live in Singapore - that is far-far-far away from you guys
* I don't have space
* I have a newborn and a 2 year old
* Berthing is pricey
* My wife gets seasick

Answers-
I have not owned a ferrari before but that wouldn't stop me
There is alot of water around Singapore
You can rent space
Get the kids used to it early to prevent seasickness
Get a trailer
Get her seasickness pills

Whatever you do find you'll love it! If you keep thinking about it do it! If you decide later that it isnt right for you sell it! Its a win-win situation! Unless the wife is dead set against it, then yer on yer own.

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: Please talk me out of this

Well how do I say this; You came to the wrong place to be talked out of buying a Starcraft.

We;
enable
encourage
egg on
place as many demands on each other as possible (starcraft wise)

AND
live vicairously through each and every tin boat on here.

Please don't buy that awsome Islander. You'll love it. Don't do it, it'll be too much fun.

I tried.

 

[CBGale2]

Re: Please talk me out of this

You should contact the owner and ask him for a FedEx quote. LOL Or just buy it and a couple of us will drive it over.

 

[fshngho]

Re: Please talk me out of this

Man you picked the WRONG place to talk you out of a boat *I have not owned a boat before- you can learn
* I live in Singapore - that is far-far-far away from you guys the forum is here
* I don't have space one can always find space
* I have a newborn and a 2 year old congrats, they will cherish the memories
* Berthing is pricey as stated before- get a trailer
* My wife gets seasick pill & experience fix that


Two main things- first is the wife or as we say SWMBO (she who must be obeyed) no fun if she isn't on your side. Second is money, if you can afford it, go for it.

 

[barato]

Re: Please talk me out of this

somehow Dr Tin thinks you didn't REALLY want to be talked out of it...

the only issue i see that's really an issue is the Singapore part. the Islander is certainly about as much boat as you can get that won't require a slip or monster tow vehicle.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Please talk me out of this

Welcome to iboats, home of the insane Starcraft tin can club..This is not a good place to gain discouragement from buying an Islander!

* I have not owned a boat before

All the more reason to buy one--first is always the most memorable

* I live in Singapore - that is far-far-far away from you guys

Awesome...as mentioned plenty of water. BUT look out for pirates, that Strait of Malacca is not exactly safe like our lakes over here

* I don't have space

None of us really do but it doesn't slow us down

* I have a newborn and a 2 year old

I have two boys, 4 year old and 2 They LOVE the boat, it is their jungle gym and when I get home from work they are in it pretending to fish and saying "vroom vroom"

* Berthing is pricey

Keep it on a trailer or make friends with rich folks who own docks

* My wife gets seasick

Maybe the boat will be a place where you spend time with the kids and she takes a break elsewhere? If not she will get over it, give her some pretzels if she complains too much, they help a bit.

 

[DonRamon]

Re: Please talk me out of this

All - thanks for the response -

Who am I to challenge the residing gurus that owning a Starcraft is pretty much the only sensible thing one can do with hard-earned family capital.

Second to that - the missus seems to be on board with this idea (whoohoo). This was helped by the fact that I had been leaving casually some magazines on the coffee table for the last couple of months, such as 'yes, you CAN own your own plane', 'PILOT today - greatest touring planes reviewed' etc. I took a trail lesson in the flight simulator jadde jadde, knowing full well that owning a plane is imminent bankrupty, even though you'll pick-em up for 20k nowadays (Cessna 120, check it out, it's like an Islander with fabric wings and the engine on the wrong side). The second I mentioned that boating might be more family friendly the approval was granted in about 1 second flat. I think she even went out that night to celebrate with the girls leaving me with the newborn & bottle... So I guess that went well...

I went to check out some berthing / storage. This storage is not far from my house and they charge about 150 USD / month + 20 US for launch / retrieve.

Trailers are unknown in Singapore - I need to check this with the authorities but there is an entry in the authorities 'prohibited vehicle modifications' list of installation of towhook.. because is poses a risk of injury to motorbike drivers. It's true that those light motorbikes swarm around you over here. I'll see if exceptions can be made.. My 80's small 6 BMW would need to haul this - pushing the limits since the car itself is only 2500 pounds / 1250 kg. I might just keep the boat at location.

Keep you posted!

 

[barato]

Re: Please talk me out of this

ahh, another evil spousal manipulator....you'll fit right in here. i helped sell my wife on the boat by first getting her to agree to let me buy a gas grill that cost $200 more than i eventually paid for my SC. in your case, far better a hole in the water than one in the air.

a BMW baby six would be working pretty hard to haul an Islander but would do it for short hauls if no hills in the way, assuming your clutch is in good shape. i wonder if they really meant a trailer hitch....?? give hitch a little "accelerated weathering" for effect, and how would they know it wasn't on car when you imported it? i can just see the look on the faces of the CT70 riders when you haul an Islander through traffic.....

i'm waiting for EZMobee or someone to chime in on why you should convert any Cessna to outboard power.....

 

[paparoof]

Re: Please talk me out of this

DonRamon -

You sound like you'll fit right in with this gang. That bit with the airplane magazines was sheer genius. But I shudder to think what it would cost you to have an Islander trucked/shipped from Minnesota to Singapore.

That said, I live about 20 minutes from this particular Islander and would be happy to go snoop at it for you. I'm no master of Starcrafts, but I am currently rebuilding a 1975 Islander (check the link in my signature), so I do have some very current perspective. I wouldn't be able to go look at it until next week however.

Also - this particular Islander has been for sale, at that same asking price, all summer long. I kept running into it when I started shopping for mine back in April. So you gotta figure the guy is ready to come down on the price.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Please talk me out of this

Whatever you do......Do NOT, I repeat DO NOT CLICK ON THIS LINK!


http://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/boa/1924924229.html







Ok, well now that you clicked on it..whaddaya say?

 

[MaddysDaddy]

Re: Please talk me out of this

the plane thing is pure genuis!!!!! i cant belive i have never read anthing like that before. my wife never thought in a million years she would like boating/fishing, but now that we have the boat she loves it. (i got the boat for some work i did to a friends house. it didnt cost anything out of pocket but she was a little funny about the new boat in her parking space!) buy the boat!! or any boat!!!

 

[fshngho]

Re: Please talk me out of this

As you have seen my friend, we have done our best to talk you out of it
We have your back and will be here if you need us
BTW, I have never seen a boat fall to the ground a crash due to gas or engine problems, you made a good choice.

 

[DonRamon]

Re: Please talk me out of this

All, back on the seat..

Overwhelming support - this is great!

You guys live in a huge country - and yet someone lives near that Islander I was eyeing.. fantastic!

Paparoof - your offer to kick the tires of that Islander is just what I need, that is greatly - greatly appreciated. No rush, but if you somehow by chance find yourself in the neighberhood of that boat, and your schedule allows, please hop by and let me know. I have tried to contact the owner with 2 emails, a txt message and phonecall - but replies & couldn't get through, so I wasn't sure if all details were correct or the boat had been sold or not.

This boat seems to have gone though some extensive overhaul. Which is great if done properly - but a heap of agony if done sloppy. So could you let me know if this seems a job well done?

I'm not set-up yet to actually buy this boat right now anyway, need to dot the i's and cross the t's, work out the paperwork, customs and shipping options etc. But in a month or so I should be clear about all this.

CheapboatKev - great find - but the 'project-factor' of this one seems pretty high... for once I'm looking for a turnkey toy.

Apologies to be long-winded, but I'll just ramble along with my findings for others who might be interested as well.

I did get a shipping quote from prominent boat hauler - trucking: $1600, shipping $4500. So all adds up to quite a sum - I get a little shaky looking over the numbers. However - this U-Ship - website claims savings up to 80% on regular shipping, so I'll check that out. I guess they'll just strap it on the trailer and shove it into a 40ft container. Now the boat is 22ft, so they'll have to find a cargo bound for Singapore for the remaining 18ft I guess. I would hate to see a small Caterpillar backhoe coming off the straps in rough sea making friends with the Islander. Let me see if anyone over here is in the market for 200 cu ft of Genuine American Marshmellows or alternatively 100 million earplug foamies.

I did some work on the Pirate issue of this region, a bunch of gentlemen with machete's on board with us & the kids would pretty much ruin my wifes day. I had a word with the head of marine operations of my office (oil refinery), who was bread & fed on these waters, and confirmed that this is an issue. These guys are from Indonesia & operating 1AM to 5AM. Within the Singapore port limits you can safely stay overnight in your boat, but if I would venture out to international waters & Indonesian territory - I better find a sewcure marina for the night. Daytime island exploring is no issue. Having said this - the transaction rarely is violent - a 100$US, the GPS unit & the left over Whiskey will do to send them off again. They'll probably wave goodbye.

Next thing on the agenda - get my licence. Singapore requires a licence to mingle with these (attached), and with the friggin' HUGE mothers of ocean freighters coming in on the trod with 20 knots. Basically 1 rule, never get one of those pointing at you.

Keep you posted,

 

[barato]

Re: Please talk me out of this

damn, you HAD to include that photo....got me jonesing for salt water again..

i think that even if you buy your boat turnkey, given what you're going through to get it, you should be an honorary candidate for the Resto of the
Year award!

ruger makes a nice thing called a Mini-30 in stainless steel that would stow nicely belowdecks on an Islander and do wonders to make your deck less inviting to gentlemen with machetes.....

 

[paparoof]

Re: Please talk me out of this

Let me see if anyone over here is in the market for 200 cu ft of Genuine American Marshmellows or alternatively 100 million earplug foamies.

ROFL!!!

and Barato is right on too - here's what I'm planning for security against Lake Superior pirates (just received my "permit to purchase"):
Ruger P95

I'll give that guy a shout early next week and see if I can head out to take a look at that Islander for ya. I have customers to visit in that same area (I'm a field service guy) so I may even be able to make it a "work" trip and get paid for the mileage!

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: Please talk me out of this

DonRamon I've been known to dodge those iron ore freightres on the St. Clair river in a 12 foot boat. They scare the poop out of me.

We had an incident on Lake Erie where a fisherman got robbed at gun point, around Cleveland. I guess you could call that piracy.

I'm afraid to carry here, if I wander into Canada I'm in a bunch of trouble! Only criminals get to pack heat in Canada (slight exagaration), everyone in Detroit is "heavy". I'm not sure which is worse.

Good luck on the purchase of a boat.

Don

 

[DonRamon]

Re: Please talk me out of this

Hi all,

Yeah, in case my Indonesian is a little rusty and my discussion with the Pirate in questions doesn't seem to get anywhere, that Ruger Mini-30 should help to clear things up a little. Unless they happen to have the 'Mother-30' to answer my Mini-30 ofcourse..

All in all - when business get's to that level - I'm a nostalgic kinda guy and I would prefer the good'ol machete days... a personal touch to business makes the difference!

That aside - I see on the web that there are tons of people / families operating a small home business hauling cars, boats, horses anything uder the sun across the continent with their private truck. The Islander shouldn't be too demanding on one's truck. I'm just guessing there should be some self employed in the Minnesota area for whom a trip to LA for some reason makes sense (family, holidays, pick-up some cargo)? I figured out that there is a regular schedule from LA to Singapore by the main shipping companies. So If I get that Islander parked in some warehouse at the docks of LA, I recon I'm already 1 step closer.

So if you know of someone who you would trust hooking up that Islander and cruise it to LA for me at reasonable charge - let me know. It's just form me to plan out this project, the buy might not pan out in the end. But I'd rather pay some honest guy who just wants to make a living than one of those majors, who probably overcharge me anyway with their overheads.

I still have to work out how to secure that boat during the transit - I've got a feeling that I've gotta make sure all shiny bits won't be removed along the way.. I'm thinking of getting someone to cling-wrap the whole thing to the trailer - that should be a satisfying Sunday-afternoon job!

 

[The Hammer]

Re: Please talk me out of this

If you are considering doing this you need to make sure you buy all the necessary insurance from the trucking Co. and Container Co. other wise you will get about .10 cents per pound when it gets demolished. Thats a nice boat and its getting me to thinking.

 

[DonRamon]

Re: Please talk me out of this

Hi All,

Rambling on:

I'm still suffering from raging, unmitigated excitement and I'm going around hopping the whole day on the prospect of owning an Islander at one stage. This time, my wife might have a point by asking when on earth I am planning to grow up... She is also appealing to all of you gurus on this forum, which tablets have proven to be most effective to knock down an elephant?

On the topic of berthing -

I'm aiming to keep her 'ever ready' for a drive around, ideally she should be on the water as much as possible being worked like a horse, but she doesn't quite float forever being metal, right? In a marine environment - there is all sorts of issues such as growth, galvanic corrosion, leaks, etc. Can she stay in the water in between the obligatory Sunday-scrub or is this a definite no-no with a pop riveted boat? There is also such a thing as boat lift - another 5k....

http://www.boatliftanddock.com/p-385-launch-pad-4400-floating-boat-lift.aspx

I'm awaiting 1/2 a dozen shipping quotes... keep you posted.

I've been looking over the maps - and there are tons of islands to discover around here - I can't wait. What do you think - a 100 mile coastal adventure - can an Islander deal with this? For god sake - when will I grow up!