looking at a '72 Chieftain and '83 Islander

[Huron Angler]

There's a tempting big piece of tin I've driven past on the way home from my son's school. I've been posting in the "nearly free starcraft" thread about her and finally got some photos.

She is a 1983 Islander, Mercruiser I/O (unknown block size), she's been well-used as a fishing rig and her name is "Muskie Hunter". The starting price is $1500 and the motor runs.

I didn't talk to the owner but Roslynn managed to get these photos. I did ask her to write down the length, motor size, and year since I knew she would forget.

She remembered the year(her sister was born in '83 so it stuck), which we already knew the ballpark being a tan hull with brown trim...and she forgot all the important stuff.:facepalm:

No big deal really, plenty of time to think about it and get back the guy for more info.

I have never seen this rig listed anywhere for sale and suffice it to say, I check around once in a while.

Looks like a 22' to me, and I'd guess it has a 165 but I am no I/O guru.

I could check the brochures to see what they came with from the factory in the early 80s.

What do you guys think?

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

Things I like about this one...

It has some size to it
It's got lots of rails, and rod holders.
I finally found a steering wheel identical to mine in the SS, and the missing middle piece cover.
Cabin is a huge plus, we have two kids that always take naps on the boat and it'd be great to stash them in there once in a while and not worry about them falling overboard


Negatives...
I'm not huge on I/Os, but I guess I could learn...or buy a bracket.
The fact that it's out in the snow bothers me based on principal only.
I really don't have a good place to store it other than my driveway.

BIG NEGATIVE-- could have a Merc 470

 

[ezmobee]

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

Very cool boat. Probably not going to find a 22' outboard. Based on not much....but if I was a betting man, I'd bet it wasn't a 470.

 

[captainQ]

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

Does look like a nice big rig. Seems like a good price if it comes with all the stuff mounted to it. Looks as if it hasn't been registered since 2005. I've always wanted one of those for Lake Ontario trips.

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

Nice boat but the PO should of had enough sense to at least throw a canvas over it . That kind of weather is bad news. Esp when it thaws and soaks all the wood in the interior. Buy it quick sweep it out and cover it till weather breaks.

 

[blackberg]

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

if that where out here, it would not have been for sale anymore, it would be in my driveway

-bb

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

Very cool boat. Probably not going to find a 22' outboard. Based on not much....but if I was a betting man, I'd bet it wasn't a 470.

Agree with Ez bud..140, 165 most likely...is a 4.3 V6 too much to wish for?
Come over to the I/O family....Bleed with me! lol

 

[jasoutside]

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

OOOooooooo baby, another Islander to the family? That would be awesome!!!

OK, so here is what I am seeing...

Yah buddy, that hull is identical to mine sans the giant hole of death and despair.

My money is on the 3.0 140 being in there. I6 or 470, way unlikely. V6, no way Kev (though I don't think it's too much to wish for). That would be super if the I6 was in there.

It's definitely the 22 footer.

I am seeing a hull that looks to be in really great condition, sweet bow rail, way cool stern rail, awesome rocket launchers, trailer looks solid, all the important stuff looks to be present and in good shape (rubrail, corner castings, bow casting). You even have a pair of downriggers there.

I spose if I were in your shoes I'd pull up to his place with 8 Benjamin's in my pocket and say to the man...

"Well I have 800 bux here in my pocket. If you are willing to work with me we can shake on it now and I'll take it home today."

Then, give the man his cash, have him sign the title, hitch it up, drive away! You just bought an Islander for $800!

If he says something like...

"Nah, I really gotta have $1200 out of it."

You say,..

"OK, I'll give you the $1200 but I'll need to take it to my marine tech in order to survey the motor and make sure everything is aok. I can give you the $800 as a deposit, refundable if the motor has any issues. I'll give ya the $400 balance if everything checks out. Or, like I said, $800 and we can close the deal today."

If the motor checks out and all is good, awesome! You just bought an Islander with a good running motor for $1200!

If the motor is garbage you can negotiate with him from there. Shoot, the trailer alone is worth about $500. I'd say something like...

"Well, the driveline has issues and here is the estimate from the marine tech to fix everything (shock and awe). What do you say you keep the $800 and I keep the boat?"

Hitch it up and drive away! You just bought an Islander for $800!

If your motor has minor issues, fix em and have fun! If they are major, part it out, and make up half of your initial investment. Then we can talk about IO vs. OB

Or, skip all that and use Vulcan Mind Control on him.

CBK, excellent prompt...

 

[dozerII]

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

That' a real nice looking boat. I'm thinking you should be looking a getting Jas over there to do some dickering for you, he seems to have a plan all worked out
I can't believe people just leave a great boat like that just sitting out in the weather full of snow and ice, but if they didn't we would not have anything to restore, and they would all be worth way more money.
Glen

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

Michigan people leave their boats out all winter uncovered (not down here in Detroit subs), I don't get it. Mine was out in the open under 3 feet of snow, it took me ten minutes to get the doghouse off to see if it had a motor! On the way to Vasser to buy the Offshore I passed a field with 20 boats in it, all uncovered. Some were 18-20 foot bass boats, none were junkers. Those bass boats looked expensive, 100-200 hp outboards just hanging there exposed to the elements.

I really like the boat, of course I love Islanders. I'm betting 3.0 140 hp mercruiser. The I6 would be pretty cool, those motors last forever.

Think like a Vulcan Mike. I know it;s hard for humans like us but try. Snow equals big discounts. It may take more than one trip out to negotiate. I hope you like Muskie fishing.

Good luck Mike. Bleed with Kev.

ps, check the dilithium crystals real close, they are expensive to replace.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

Thanks for all the replies fellas.

I went into this fully expecting a pale white OMC leg hanging out the transom. Since it's a Mercruiser set up it's a bit more tempting assuming it's not a 470.

I agree that an inline 6 would be the best outcome here. It's probably a 140hp though based on what I've seen in the brochures.

I'm curious what all the wires are running down the transom. I see two transducers, a speed wheel, and a bilge intake. Any other theories?

I would love a boat this size since I have a serious obsession with hitting the big lakes around here and not having to head in due to weather.

I am in no rush and will be thinking about this for a bit. I would need to talk him down on the price, or take it for a test drive this spring and see what she can do.

 

[MAXX40X]

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

If you don't buy it, shoot me a pm with location of the boat and I will drive up and drag it home park it next to my 1976 18' SS.
True story.
I am ready to leave now.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

Very cool boat. Probably not going to find a 22' outboard. Based on not much....but if I was a betting man, I'd bet it wasn't a 470.

I'm not so sure...there is a 21' Chieftain up north that's an outboard model for $1500. I think I'd be happier with that rig...and the cabins are bigger than the Islanders I believe.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

If you don't buy it, shoot me a pm with location of the boat and I will drive up and drag it home park it next to my 1976 18' SS.
True story.
I am ready to leave now.

Tell ya what, I will let you know what goes on with the rig. I can get some more info also.

 

[outdoor max]

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

Mine is a 1984. It has a 2.5 liter 120. Love the Islanders

 

[Deadwood]

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

I am in no rush and will be thinking about this for a bit..

Windshied wipers too??!! Time's up...go get it.
You can always drag it out here when you visit and triple your money.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

I'm not so sure...there is a 21' Chieftain up north that's an outboard model for $1500. I think I'd be happier with that rig...and the cabins are bigger than the Islanders I believe.

Yah, you are trading cabin room for room on deck going Chief over the Islander. Man, if you want more cabin room that Chief would be a winner for sure!

Either way, I'd think you'd be pumped. Bringing home a big girl would be the perfect way to complete the three boat plan

 

[MAXX40X]

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

Tell ya what, I will let you know what goes on with the rig. I can get some more info also.

Thank you.

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

Re: looking at a '83 Islander

Three boats? I pumped for you. Go for the outboard Mike, you seem to shy away from I/O. IMHO you shouldn't, I guess it depends on how you use the boat.

As far as deck space goes, downrigger boats don't need a lot of deck space, mine is going to be a casting boat so the open bow is nice. I'm also fishing big waters so the I/O will be better on gas. I'm kind of glad I happened on an I/O. End of season is a problem with an I/O however, November oscillates between freezing and above freezing. I've decided to not fish in November, it's too windy anyway.

If I get a vote in this I say buy one or the other. They are both good boats. Maybe go for the best deal, decisions, decisions.

Good luck.

[video]http://www.armstrongnautical.com/movies/bracketsvideo.htm[/video]

http://www.armstrongnautical.com/repower.htm

OK this is the engineer in me talking, I can fab up that bracket (easy). I can probably design it too (harder, but not too hard), I mean copy Armstrong's design. I'm serious, not on my boat but HA or Jasoutside, you guys want to go for it? We can proto one from plywood first.

I'm fantasizing of twins right know. Twin 60's or 70's, merc's. Ooh I just gort a chil up my spine. CL here I come.

I don't know why I hang around with you guys. I want that bracket.