1973 Islander...should I buy? (how much is it worth)

[jfccac]

Hi guys..first post here.

Here's the deal with this boat.

2nd owner...He's 88 years old. He bought the boat from the original owner in 1974.

The boat has never been painted.

I've not seen pics of the inside yet but I'm told it looks good.

The boat has last seen water around ten years ago and has been stored in a barn since.

The current owner says the transom/floor has never been replaced.

This has the 165 chevy 6 cyl...which the current owner says will do around 45mph (maybe a bit optimistic). The motor turns over but will not start (they didnt seem to try real hard)

It still has the original horns and spotlight and i'm told it all works.

It comes with the trailer shown.

Never seen saltwater

Tell me guys...what's it worth and what should I look for when I go look at it?

It's a few hours away and I want to be sure I know what I'm looking for.

Any/all help appreciated.

John

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: 1973 Islander...should I buy? (how much is it worth)

Welcome Aboard John
First, where are you located. Thats a 2,000 dollar boat here in Florida, but a 5k bought out west.

Sitting for ten years means new bellows, new impeller in the lower leg for water pick up.
Possibly new shift cables, new deck & transom if left out uncovered.

It can also mean cracked block if it's in a cold/freezing enviroment if not winterized.

I bet she'd start if you take sandpaper to the points. Sitting like that for ten years probably has junk on em thus no spark.

 

[jfccac]

Re: 1973 Islander...should I buy? (how much is it worth)

Thanx for the reply.

I'm in upstate NY.

The boat has been covered, it's entire life either by:

canvas,
a barn it was stored in for approx ten years,
or a tarp that was covering it for the last 12 months while outside.

The boat was winterized (as said by the current owner) proir to being stored.

I was thinking about the same thing re: the points. I bet i could get that puppy fired up in less than an hour.

The asking price is $800 for the setup...I think I could work them down.

Is it hard to replace bellows? I've done impellers...no biggie.

I have quite a bit of mechanical background...I just finished this a few months ago

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: 1973 Islander...should I buy? (how much is it worth)

My dream car!
Bellows are a pain for an intermediate wrench.
you can do it.
800 is a deal...

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: 1973 Islander...should I buy? (how much is it worth)

$800 is a deal. Take a battery with you, and a small tank of fresh gas, ears and hose.
Hook the small tank of fresh gas right to the fuel pump to bypass the tanks with will have bad gas and need cleaned. Prime the carb with some fuel and see if it starts. That way you can look for obvious water leaks from the manifold/block.
You will need to replace all fuel hoses, clean fuel tanks, probably recommend new fuel pump, bellows, If the outdrive is 1970's and has never been resealed I would recommend resealing the whole outdrive. Its old and rubber goes bad.
Good project for the right price

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1973 Islander...should I buy? (how much is it worth)

I'd go into it assuming you have no engine unless you can get it started, running to temp, full check out.

I'd also go into it assuming that all that stuff cbk and elk mentioned need to be replaced.

That said, $800 (or less) would be a fair price for an Islander with a Merc I6 sitting in it.

Welcome to iboats!!!

 

[reavesga]

Re: 1973 Islander...should I buy? (how much is it worth)

So did you go look at it? At $800 or less, even if you have to do a whole new power package you are in good shape if that is the type of boat you want. Billows are not difficult neither is the bearing. There several sources on he web for parts. Also, Doug Russell Marine sales complete reconditioned power packages. I don't have any direct experience with them, but I have heard good things. Michigan motorz does as well. I would not worry about getting the motor running there as you know that could actually damage it instead of taking time to clean, change oil, pre-oil the top end, etc before starting it for the first time after sitting for a long time. $800 or less for the hull and trailer is a deal.

Take a camera with you and take lots of pictures. Post them when you get back for more input.

Finally is it the 19' 22' or 25' islander. If the 25' buy it on the spot as they are rare. From the picks I would say it is at least the 22'.

 

[barato2]

Re: 1973 Islander...should I buy? (how much is it worth)

i wouldn't worry about cranking it over. if a ring is stuck, it would break even if you pre-oil top end first.

i'd buy it at that price and even faster if you can work em down. trailer tires look too small but that may just be perspective. on a tandem axle trailer, tires can add to the cost of the bottom feeder bargain real fast.

beautiful car! (even if it isn't tin) is that a Factory Five? you're a lucky man to be able to have both a Cobra and a tin cruiser

 

[jfccac]

Re: 1973 Islander...should I buy? (how much is it worth)

I appreciate all the feedback. I thought it was a good deal...but I wanted to verify with the experts.

I spoke to the owner and he said the engine cranks but does not fire. I'm thinking ignition or carb...or both.

either way...i dont think the engine is setup.

I got some more pics today...of the interior. Wow ...Starcraft REALLY liked blue in 1973!!!

As far as looking at it, I wont be able to get up there until next week.


My car is a Factory Five...500HP 408W (stroked 351w). I finished it this year and have driven it around 1800 miles. It's quite a ride!

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: 1973 Islander...should I buy? (how much is it worth)

Procharge that snake!

 

[jfccac]

Re: 1973 Islander...should I buy? (how much is it worth)

how about a novi-charged 'stang? Bought it new in '88. No options...34k miles...looks stock...it aint

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1973 Islander...should I buy? (how much is it worth)

If you built the plastic (no offense intended, only kits are affordable) Cobra and the Mustang, You can certainly do the Islander up right. Welcome to the madness, jf.

BTW - two nice rides.

 

[jfccac]

Re: 1973 Islander...should I buy? (how much is it worth)





more pics below...learning how this is working...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1973 Islander...should I buy? (how much is it worth)

Try again with that last set of pics......

 

[barato2]

Re: 1973 Islander...should I buy? (how much is it worth)

i need to amend my previous comment. if you have those 2 vehicles, the OK to buy the boat, and wife, you got lucky, esp on the wife who puts up with your excesses

i've kinda gotten away from cars, but the idea of a 500hp britsportscar sounds like Big Fun. and not only is your glasser the only kind that's affordable, but it would likely whomp the real thing on an autocross course due to less front end weight with the small block and less rear end geometry changes with the Mustang rear instead of the IRS

 

[jfccac]

Re: 1973 Islander...should I buy? (how much is it worth)

I hear ya...very lucky with the wife. She knows I work hard and need toys. She's very accomodating

Let me try with the pics again..

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1973 Islander...should I buy? (how much is it worth)

You need to click the Go Advance button when posting if you want to upload pics. I can see your pics right now but within an hour, due to a forum glitch, the links will go dead.

 

[paparoof]

Re: 1973 Islander...should I buy? (how much is it worth)

dijya buy it yet? I paid almost that much for an islander with a seized motor. so if this one turns over, you can fix it and you're WAY ahead of me.

assume you need to gut it, seal the hull and replace the entire interior. anything that's still in good shape and usable is just cake - but I would still replace the deck and transom wood just for piece of mind - even if yours looks good. 1973 was a long time ago - that wood has been in the boat since Tie A Yellow Ribbon 'Round The Ole Oak Tree by Tony Orlando & Dawn was a number one hit.

read the thread in my signature to see what your adventure will be like. I posted lotsa pictures of the bellows process. if you're at all mechanical you can do bellows.

 

[jfccac]

Re: 1973 Islander...should I buy? (how much is it worth)

yup...got it for $600. Picking up next week.

I'll take more pics once the beast is home. I plan on doing a major overhaul to the entire drivetrain.

I've seen your threads and videos...you did a great job.

 

[paparoof]

Re: 1973 Islander...should I buy? (how much is it worth)

yup...got it for $600.

Welcome to the Starmada! If you can get that motor cookin' and there are no horrific galvanic corrosion issues in the hull, you got a SCREAMING great deal. Just for kicks, stop into a new boat dealer near you and ask 'em for a ballpark price on a brand new 22-foot aluminum cabin cruiser. That should make you feel pretty good.

Post lotsa pictures and ask lotsa questions. There's no way in h**l I could have gotten mine splashed without these fine folks here.

Oh by the way - mine tops out at 35 with the same motor, granted I haven't fiddled with trim or different props yet, but still I think 45 might be a little "ambitious".