thinking about buying starcraft islander, repowering options?

[littlebunker]

There has been a starcraft islander on craigslist for a while, but it looks like it's in bad shape and the inboard OMC motor doesn't run. What are my repowering options? I have three big questions:

One, how hard is it to put a mercruiser in there instead? Is it simply a matter of a new transom with a different shaped keyhole?

two, how hard would it be to build an outboard bracket? The one's i'm seeing for islanders are like 2 grand and they look like they're just aluminum boxes that should only cost $100. Or are there cheaper options out there?

three, it looks like islanders also came in outboard config. Is it possible that the transom is already set up to take an outboard? They probably used the same transom for both inboard and outboard models, right? Can I just pull the existing transom and make a new one, and pop outboards on there?


I'm really pushing for an outboard because I have outboards already, and I don't know how to work on inboards. Just trying to get a handle on what this project would entail, or if maybe this isn't the boat for me right now. I'm aware of what I would be taking on with the hull and interior, i've done that before. I'm just looking for honest opinions on the repowering question because I've never gotten into that before.

thank you everyone

 

[GA_Boater]

Which OMC, Stringer or Cobra? Cobra swap out is easier than filling the huge hole for a Stringer drive.

You underestimate the cost of designing and building a bracket. They are not simply an aluminum box.

You're right, an I/O transom and outboard transom are the same, plywood behind the aluminum skin. What an outboard transom doesn't have is the knee braces the help support the weight. Add a bracket and the braces become doubly important because the weight is further out from the transom.

 

[littlebunker]

Hi, it's a stringer, looks like. I only saw one bad photo and it looks like a HUGE circular hole?

re: the bracket. I guess I'm missing something. In my mind, I was picturing it as.... like, I figure that the bracket would be substantially similar for the same boat. Like all islanders could use the same bracket. But is there more to it that that? Does it depend on other factors?

Re: the transom. It seems like, if the general plans didn't change much from IB to OB models, an easier route would be to just do whatever they did at the factory to add an OB. If I'm going to gut this thing anyways, I'll be in a good position to add knee braces exactly as they would at the factory, I would think? However, in similar starcraft threads, I mostly see people saying to fix the IB or buy a bracket. Why is this?

thanks

 

[ezmobee]

in similar starcraft threads, I mostly see people saying to fix the IB or buy a bracket. Why is this?

Likely because it's easier than all the fab work that would be required to change the existing transom to an outboard one. I do see some nice looking outboard brackets on ebay for $1k or less which is more realistic. A boat with an outboard on a bracket would alsobe a little more sea-worthy than one with a cutout and a splashwell (although Starcraft splashwells are HUGE). I think converting one by cutting down the transom and fabricating a new transom, knee braces, and splashwell would be possible but definitely a fair amount of work.

 

[jasoutside]

Howdy!

To answer your questions directly....

1. On the surface, yes, it's basically a new transom with a keyhole cut out (plus new motor mounts). As you dig in though, you'll find there are many complex steps to make this happen and numerous ways the transplant could go sideways. Is it hard? Yes. Most marine techs don't know where to start and won't even touch this kind of project, and that's what they do for a living. Can it be done? Yes. Given you have some wrenching skills, can follow an installation manual to a T, you are resourceful/creative, and extremely patient. Plus there's the matter of finding a solid used complete driveline at a decent price (very rare indeed) or blowing the budget for something new.

2. Building an outboard bracket takes a very high level of skill. Welding alum is very difficult and the stresses on a bracket are huge. This has to be done right. Plus, the alum material alone would be very expensive, it's thick, and big.

3. Yes, you can certainly go with an OB on that Islander. Cutting the transom down like a standard OB would require some solid fab skills. Buying a bracket, installing, and adding in some knee braces would be a bit more straight forward.

Have Fun!:thumb:

 

[jbcurt00]

Said the guy ^^^ who swapped an OMC I/O for a Mercruiser in a 22ft Islander.

But bought a bracket to swap his 26ftrs I/O for an OB on a pod.

Look thru the projects in Jas signature. Lots of good info in there.

 

[littlebunker]

thanks for all the info so far. Been doing a ton of research all morning. Some people are saying to keep your eyes open for a used bracket.

I don't see a buy/sell forum on iboats. Is the another good resource for me to be checking for used brackets?

thanks

 

[jasoutside]

They are rare but pop up on eBay from time to time.

 

[littlebunker]

jasoutside, how rare are we talking? Like one a decade, or a few a year? How much do they run, ballpark?

also, i'm reading though your threads. holy cow. nice work

 

[jasoutside]

I searched on and off over the course of several years and saw maybe a half dozen. Of those only 3 would have worked for me. One of those was way over priced, one I was out bid and the third I actually won on eBay. Then the seller said he changed his mind on selling it to me.

I finally found a new built, customer cancel order that came at a deep discount...

You can land a brand new, bare bones, single bracket, without a platform, rated to 150hp for about $700. I've seen used go for about $500. They go way north of that to the tune of about $3000 from one of the big name companies (Stainless Marine, Armstrong) with all the bells and whistles. Just depends on what you are looking for.

Cheers!

 

[littlebunker]

yeah i mean 700 isn't too bad.

is there a market for an old OMC stringer, like, could I get some money back from that?? or i'll happily take thoughts on whether I should just fix the stringer. I know nothing about them

 

[jbcurt00]

Out there somewhere, somebody w an OMC NEEDS parts (or all) of yours to keep his OMC running.

IIRC, Jas did pretty good selling his OMC, fairly quickly. The details are in his Islander topic (somewhere).

Sort of depends on your 'local' market

 

[jasoutside]

is there a market for an old OMC stringer, like, could I get some money back from that??

Nope not really. I did sell mine to a fella who was desperate for parts. So essentially, you'd need to find a desperate Stringer owner to make any kind of real money back.

whether I should just fix the stringer. I know nothing about them

If you knew everything about the Stringer, were a total pro at maintaining and even rebuilding the Stringer, and you were super resourceful at finding NLA parts on eBay/craigslist/junkyards/backwoods, I'd suggest you keep it. But, since you know nothing about them, no way, ditch it, quick!