New Project!

[Rick K]

Hi all,<br /><br />Was finally able to find the time to get these pics uploaded to a place where everyone could take a look. <br /><br />I'm going to begin work on my latest project, a '74 Islander. This is a rock solid boat (except for the inside) that's mechanically sound. <br /><br />Was going to restore it, but after talking to a few folks, I've decided to customize her. Any ideas? A new floor and carpeting will go in first, and then there's the issue of the gas guage that don't work. After that, anything's possible.<br /><br />I understand this model had an option for a sink and fridge. Anyone know where in the boat it was placed? The cuddy is pretty small, with only a v bunk. <br /><br />Last, I've heard mixed reviews on Merc's Type I outdrive. Any opionions on them? I would think that Merc's didn't have parts availability issues...<br /><br />Thanks Islander <br />Rick

 

[jze1212]

Re: New Project!

I dont have any helpfull suggestions but that boat looks like a blast!! I think I see something with a cabin on it in my near future, maybe 2 years.. The possibilities are endless! Enjoy and good luck to you

 

[Terry Olson]

Re: New Project!

That looks like a good project. The repairs needed are the kind that the average guy can do himself - and - they're the kind that make a big difference quickly. That's always the best part of any project. <br /><br />Have fun with it.

 

[Rick K]

Re: New Project!

Thanks for the comments! I thought I'd have to repaint the bow, etc., this year, but I hit a spot with some rubbing compound and some wax, and the finish cleaned up REAL nice. The paint still retains a lot of luster.<br /><br />Since I really have to get at the floor and capet, I think I might just clean her up, and save the painting for next season...<br /><br />Rick

 

[jze1212]

Re: New Project!

Nice... Sometimes a little bit of TLC goes a long way.. Good times

 

[Bondo]

Re: New Project!

<br />Here's My 74 Islander.......<br /><br />I've Replaced Everything once or twice......<br /><br />Your going to find those seats Much to Low,.... They're Not original........

 

[Rick K]

Re: New Project!

Bondo,<br /><br />I've seen your boat up here quite a few time, and am envious of that hard top!!!!! You're right on about the seats... They're not original. I'm still kicking around ideas in my head about what to do about seating, but most likely will go with pedestals... I also have to fabricate a cabin door, as someone pulled the "mini screen door" off. Never really liked them too much anyway.<br /><br />Got any other pics of your boat I could take a look at? <br /><br />Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Re: New Project!

I took the Door off,+ have it in storage,... I've got a Curtain there Now,.....<br />No Wasted Space for the swing of the door, or the door itself getting in the way.....<br /><br />If your boats like Mine,... The Fueltank Cover doesn't offer alot of support for a pedestal seat,.....<br />I'm using the original seat Brackets that mount off the Side Panel,+ have a single U shaped leg......<br />My "Plan A" was to build a tackle storage system with aluminum racks,+ plano trays,..... The Fueltank Covers would have been incorporated Into it.....<br />A New,+ Better project boat dashed That plan,... <br />Now it's just Patch & Run the Starcraft till the Old Town Atlantis is Completed,+ Running......<br /><br />I started the Bimini for it this week,.... I'm using spun aluminum Streetlight Arms for the uprights on this 1.....<br />Where the Railroad Crossing,+ Hospital Bed Parts were used on the Starcraft Bimini...... <br /><br />Rather than burning up the band width,..... Here's a few links to photos of several things I've done to it,..........<br /><br />I'll Warn you,........ It's been Severely Bondoized......... <br /><br /> Here's a Cabin Bulkhead... <br /> Another view.... <br /> A shot of the Cabin Wall/Main Bulkhead,.. from the inside, looking to the gunwale area... <br /> Same wall/ bulkhead, from the cockpit side.... <br /> Bottom of the same bulkhead... <br /> The Big Crack in the Hull that Sunk the boat last year,+ I'm about to Repair..... <br /> A stern shot... <br /> The Railroad Crossing end of the bimini..... <br /> The Hospitial Bed Parts end of the bimini..... <br /><br />Enjoy...........

 

[Rick K]

Re: New Project!

Bondo, you don't have that boat set up for fishin', do ya.... Very nice indeed.<br /><br />I'm not a fisherman. My extent of fishing is a pole, hook/worm/bobber... <br /><br />When I started in on mine, there were all those outriggers (?), pole holders, and all kinds of other gadgets and constructions on there. <br /><br />I put it all on a table in front of my house with a "for sale" sign on it. Living near the Niagara River, I was instantly invaded, and made 400 bucks in the process. I woulda been happy if someone just took the stuff and used it. <br /><br />The money should cover my floor and carpet, at least...<br /><br />Rick

 

[Bondo]

Re: New Project!

While you have it Apart,.....<br />You should consider having the hull reinforced right where Mine Split last summer........<br /><br />I was told by a good friend who worked at the local Starcraft marina as a Teenager that Mine Was Going to Split,... <br />Right Where It Did.......I was in Denial for several Years.........<br />I'm Now a Believer that this is a Known,+ Ignored Problem with these Hulls,... Too Bad Too,...'Cause there's Millions of them out there,....<br /><br />I'll be Repairing mine in the next couple of weeks,...... I'll try to document the process,+ post it here.......<br /><br />That's a Big Pond that We boat on different ends of,.........<br />I was Extremely Lucky I made Shore,+ Sunk in Knee Deep Water.........<br />An hour either way would have been a Very Different Outcome...........<br /><br />It's a Great Hull for most of what I do,.... Except it Doesn't handle the Chop very well,.... Rides Real Rough in a 1' or more......<br />I'm moving to a Deep V fiberglass hull.....Just for That Reason......<br /><br />Good Luck with it,+ I'll be here with any Insight I can give you........

 

[Rick K]

Re: New Project!

Interesting you mention the split hull, Bondo. I read something quite awhile back either here, or on another boat board about that. <br /><br />Honestly, I didn't take much stock in it, as the author just went on and on and on about it. But now, I'm really going to examine that area of the hull.<br /><br />I'm wondering how one would go about reinforcing that particular area. <br /><br />I'm not so concerned about how the boat handles in chop, but rather how it'll handle in the funny currents the river has up here. I was on a new Islander last year, and it did wonderfully. Now I don't know how much the hull design changed over 30 years, but the new one had no issues at all, and we absolutely thrashed on that poor boat.<br /><br />Time will tell, I guess...

 

[Bondo]

Re: New Project!

That author Might have been Myself,..... If it was around Sept. or Oct. of last year.......<br /><br />I'll be Repairing My hull in a short time,.....<br /><br />I'll let you in on it when I do.......

 

[Rick K]

Re: New Project!

Naw, this was at least two years ago... Looks like I better make friends with a seasoned aluminum welder!<br /><br />Rick

 

[Bondo]

Re: New Project!

Originally posted by Rick K:<br /> Naw, this was at least two years ago... Looks like I better make friends with a seasoned aluminum welder!<br /><br />Rick

Ayuh,.....<br />As you can see by looking at My Bimini,..... I consider Myself a "seasoned aluminum welder!".......<br /><br />But,.... I'm enlisting the Help of 1 of My Mentors to Do This Job...............

 

[garrett61]

Re: New Project!

Luckily EB is down the street from me. Just about all the neighbors are welders of some type. Already where interested in the build.<br />Bondo and his perfect bead... <br />Great job on that top everytime i see it makes me inspired to try it out.<br />Garrett

 

[Bondo]

Re: New Project!

Here's a few shots of the Inside of my bimini.....<br />garrett61 got a sneek peek....<br /> This is forward center view <br /> Right front corner <br /> Front deck mount <br /> Rear center <br /> Right rear corner <br /> Rear outside corner

 

[Rick K]

Re: New Project!

Bondo, that is absolutely some mad fabrication there... And here I sit worrying about how long it's gonna take somebody to make me a mooring cover!!! <br /><br />If I just had the patience to learn to use a sewing machine....<br /><br />Rick