Replacing/Repairing 1968 StarCraft Islander Bow Hatch/Hinges

[acarleson]

Hello,
I have a 1968 Starcraft Islander and the bow hatch is kind of messed up. It's a little dented and dinged up and the hinges are in bad bad shape. I'd like to replace the whole thing (hatch and hinges) but I don't know where to get a new hatch. Does anyone have a source for finding these old hatches? Or is it doable to replace with an aftermarket hatch?

Barring this, I can live with a dented hatch if I can find some way to replace the hinges. Does anyone know what kind of hinges these are or if there are any readily-available hinges that might work? I have a rivet gun so I can install anything, but these look like special hinges (they're thin and mount in the inside lip of the hatch).

Thank you

 

[jbcurt00]

Pix would be helpful..

Boat junkyard might have 1, but no actual source I'm aware of

Great Lake Skipper might have 1 that could be made to fit, but then you could just buy 1 off the shelf somewhere & make it fit.

Or find someone de-capping 1 into an open fishing boat

 

[acarleson]

@jbcurt00 thanks. When you say buy one off the shelf, do you just mean something like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HU730SE/ref=sspa_dk_hqp_detail_aax_0 or similar?

 

[jbcurt00]

Yep, if it's at least as big as the original and fits the underlying framing

 

[acarleson]

ok thanks, I'll probably end up doing that. Where is iBoats people's preferred online boat parts shop?

 

[jbcurt00]

Iboats is an online retailer, so here

 

[Watermann]

Your best bet is to find someone on a group that has one, the Starcraft aluminum boats FB group has numerous sawzall savant savages that tear their Islanders and Chiefs to pieces in order to have an open tub to hunt ducks or fish from. These people may save some of the parts to share with those who need them. From what I've seen over the years, the boat type, length and or year doesn't matter they are all the same hatches. Finding an aftermarket hatch that is the correct shape and size would be nearly impossible.

Having the bow hatch come open at highway speeds is one of the most common ways they become damaged and or lost.

 

[acarleson]

yes, that's what I am finding. The islander hatches are kind of trapazoidal and I'm really only seeing square ones anywhere for sale. Unfortunately I don't have facebook and I am not on the group... any chance you have any other resources @Watermann? no problem if not. thank you!

 

[Watermann]

If I remember correctly last year there was a member here savaging his Islander, look back through the threads. If you find it try sending him a PM.

 

[acarleson]

@Watermann thanks would that be in the Stacraft owner group forum? thanks

 

[Watermann]

@Watermann thanks would that be in the Stacraft owner group forum? thanks

Yeah I believe so, I don't venture out much from here.