1971 StarCraft Islander V Cuddy Rehab and Questions

gotpaste

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Jun 11, 2020
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Thank you in advance for reading. I am new to boats and was recently given the above boat from my father in law. I have gutted it down to the hull from the cuddy cabin back and now looking for what's next. I was hoping to put in a 30 gallon belly tank instead of the dual 11 gallon tanks that were above the deck but below the passenger seats but in order to do so will need to raise the deck about 3-4 inches to give enough clearance. Not sure what needs to be done to raise the deck correctly or if this is even advisable. When it is done I was hoping to pick up a couple back to back chairs for the mid part of the boat and a couple jump seats next to the engine doghouse. I want to do things correctly and not cut corners but like all things budget will dictate what I can do. Ultimately I would like to have this be used for fishing and pulling my kids on skis or tubes for years to come.
Thanks again.
 

gotpaste

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kcassells

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I like those boats. Good luck. Bunch of guys have here and will help out. I don't
have an aluminum boat but thats the one I would get.
 

matt167

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Nice boats.. Starcraft kept the saddle tanks the entire run of those boats I'm pretty sure, and all of the tin boats on the deep V hull ( Offshore V 18, Islander and Chieftan ) had them.. My advice is to keep it that way..

My childhood was spent fishing off the back of a '73 Chieftan which my dad bought and rebuilt after a tree fell on the cabin..

FWIW, the boat I have now is a '71 Offshore V 18 which is a bowrider Islander 18' hull, and it has back to back seats and the tanks are directly under the seats. They take up no room at all.. The windshield height on the Islander is taller though
 

gotpaste

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Jun 11, 2020
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Nice boats.. Starcraft kept the saddle tanks the entire run of those boats I'm pretty sure, and all of the tin boats on the deep V hull ( Offshore V 18, Islander and Chieftan ) had them.. My advice is to keep it that way..

My childhood was spent fishing off the back of a '73 Chieftan which my dad bought and rebuilt after a tree fell on the cabin..

FWIW, the boat I have now is a '71 Offshore V 18 which is a bowrider Islander 18' hull, and it has back to back seats and the tanks are directly under the seats. They take up no room at all.. The windshield height on the Islander is taller though

I am trying to gain as much space as possible as I am hoping to make this more of a cruiser and recreation with the family more so than fishing. I need to measure them but thinking if they fit using these under the gunnels and next to seats.
http://www.moellermarine.com/moeller...l-tank-032818/
Question I have is can an permanent fuel tank be used safely above deck. Is there anything special about a below deck tank that keeps it from being used above deck. I know UV is an issue with below deck tanks but if it is sandwiched between the hull, gunnel, and a vertical side board will it matter and is there any other factors I need to consider?
 

havoc_squad

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Mar 5, 2011
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I don't like the placement of large permanent fuel tanks near the gunnels/sides on a small displacement boat if they do not have the means of balancing the fuel in them. One fuel tank nearly full and the other empty on the gunnels with passengers and gear badly imbalanced, not a good combination.

If you are not on a large body of water (Great Lakes or oceans) or not going to be using it enough to get the benefits, I see no reason of putting two large permanent fuel tanks in the boat. Just more expense, work, and USCG fuel regulations you have to meet.

If 30 to 35 gallons is all you need and the width and length can be installed in the floor with a small height increase, meaning you can adapt to it with chairs and steps without interfering with the helm, stick it under the floor, add a fuel tank access plywood plank, and get the ball rolling on the restoration.
 

gotpaste

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Got the boat stripped out and cleaned the rest of the way this weekend. Think we are going to extend the cuddy step down into the boat a bit and make a ski locker and behind the brace put in a 30 gallon belly tank. This should add stability like Havoc stated. We will be raising the floor by adding aluminum bracing across the hull to allow for the belly tank. Our fear was verified this weekend that the engine and outdrive will need to be removed and replace the transom. Does anyone know the spec on thickness the transom is supposed to be? We were hoping not to have to do this but looks like we have to. Too much rot, but now we know it will be solid for years to come.
 

havoc_squad

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 5, 2011
Messages
739
Got the boat stripped out and cleaned the rest of the way this weekend. Think we are going to extend the cuddy step down into the boat a bit and make a ski locker and behind the brace put in a 30 gallon belly tank. This should add stability like Havoc stated. We will be raising the floor by adding aluminum bracing across the hull to allow for the belly tank. Our fear was verified this weekend that the engine and outdrive will need to be removed and replace the transom. Does anyone know the spec on thickness the transom is supposed to be? We were hoping not to have to do this but looks like we have to. Too much rot, but now we know it will be solid for years to come.

Do a search first and see if you can find the answer.

If not, post a topic in the Mercruiser section. Make sure to have your drive serial number and the mercruiser engine serial number, as they can be more specific and faster in helping you with answers.

My guess is the transom thickness will probably be very close/if not the same as the Alpha One Gen 1 & Gen 2. Don't take my word for it though.
 

gotpaste

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Jun 11, 2020
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Do a search first and see if you can find the answer.

If not, post a topic in the Mercruiser section. Make sure to have your drive serial number and the mercruiser engine serial number, as they can be more specific and faster in helping you with answers.

My guess is the transom thickness will probably be very close/if not the same as the Alpha One Gen 1 & Gen 2. Don't take my word for it though.

Thanks. I did find what I think is correct. https://forums.iboats.com/forum/own...boats/10840249-transom-thickness-islander-221
 
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