Are early model islandia' worth looking at now in 2016? I see several popping up in the 2000 - 2002 range and they all are falling in my price range of 8-10k. Would certainly prefer the twin rotax but can't spend the 15-20k required. Is there that much of a performance advantage to the 4-stroke rotax models to make me walk away from the m2jet? The HP change is substantial. Or does it make more sense to sell one of my children?
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Early islandia'
- Thread starter Almighte1
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Dr Honda
Well-Known Member
Thanks for making the post.
To answer directly... Yes... they are worth looking at.
BUT............................
Just like any other toy... it all depends on it's condition, what has been done to it, and does the seller seem honest !!!!!! I know that last one is hard to work with... but if you get someone that is giving you a mixed story on it's history, or is selling it after only a short time.... OR... my favorite... they give you a line about "all it needs is a battery", "It's always hard to start", or "No, I don't have time to let you give it a water test." If one of those come up... that's a red flag.
So... it all depends on price, condition, and what you are willing to work on.
The Mercury engines are reliable... but 10~12 years is about their expected life. UNLESS, the run time is low, and the owner took REALY good care of it.
I too would have liked a twin 4tech Rotax boat... but they are expensive. BUT, there is also one more thing to think about... THEY AREN'T NEW EITHER !!!!!!!!! My favorite years for the Islandia is '06-'07. They had the non-supercharged 4-strokes. It would be the most reliable, and the lowest ownership costs. (you have to rebuild the superchargers every 100 hrs) But you are now looking at a boat that is 10 years old, and if you have an engine eat itself... a replacement is more that a Merc replacement. (about $2200 each, as long as the damage isn't too bad) The 240 Merc will be around $3500 if you can do your own work. I know I said, $2200 on the Rotax... but on twin engine boats... when one engine gives up, you can be assured that the second one is ready to pop too.
Also, the yearly maintenance is more on the Rotax boats. You will need to service the pumps, and both engines each year. (oil changes mostly)
SO... if I was looking at an Islandia right now... I would only move up to the Rotax powered boat if:
A) The engines were already pop'ed, and I was buying it cheap as a project.
b) The engines were just replaced.
c) The price was good... it was a single owner... and it was an older person who I could tell didn't abuse it.
So... what I'm saying is... the time (now) has hit a point where the "Newer" boats are in the danger zone, and can be just as expensive to fix.
If performance is a concern... then assuming that everything is perfect... the Rotax boats will be faster. But that power comes at the price of drinking more fuel. Also, the Merc pump is more tolerant of being warn, so it will continue to move the boat even after hundreds of hours of wear. A rotax pump can suck air past it's driveshaft seal, and you will go nowhere. AND, they generally require a little more maintenance.
As a final note... If you can get a nice boat in exchange for the kids... I would do it !!!! (lol) I have 2 kids, and they are total pain. (but they love the space of the Islandia. It's the best family boat made)
To answer directly... Yes... they are worth looking at.
BUT............................
Just like any other toy... it all depends on it's condition, what has been done to it, and does the seller seem honest !!!!!! I know that last one is hard to work with... but if you get someone that is giving you a mixed story on it's history, or is selling it after only a short time.... OR... my favorite... they give you a line about "all it needs is a battery", "It's always hard to start", or "No, I don't have time to let you give it a water test." If one of those come up... that's a red flag.
So... it all depends on price, condition, and what you are willing to work on.
The Mercury engines are reliable... but 10~12 years is about their expected life. UNLESS, the run time is low, and the owner took REALY good care of it.
I too would have liked a twin 4tech Rotax boat... but they are expensive. BUT, there is also one more thing to think about... THEY AREN'T NEW EITHER !!!!!!!!! My favorite years for the Islandia is '06-'07. They had the non-supercharged 4-strokes. It would be the most reliable, and the lowest ownership costs. (you have to rebuild the superchargers every 100 hrs) But you are now looking at a boat that is 10 years old, and if you have an engine eat itself... a replacement is more that a Merc replacement. (about $2200 each, as long as the damage isn't too bad) The 240 Merc will be around $3500 if you can do your own work. I know I said, $2200 on the Rotax... but on twin engine boats... when one engine gives up, you can be assured that the second one is ready to pop too.
Also, the yearly maintenance is more on the Rotax boats. You will need to service the pumps, and both engines each year. (oil changes mostly)
SO... if I was looking at an Islandia right now... I would only move up to the Rotax powered boat if:
A) The engines were already pop'ed, and I was buying it cheap as a project.
b) The engines were just replaced.
c) The price was good... it was a single owner... and it was an older person who I could tell didn't abuse it.
So... what I'm saying is... the time (now) has hit a point where the "Newer" boats are in the danger zone, and can be just as expensive to fix.
If performance is a concern... then assuming that everything is perfect... the Rotax boats will be faster. But that power comes at the price of drinking more fuel. Also, the Merc pump is more tolerant of being warn, so it will continue to move the boat even after hundreds of hours of wear. A rotax pump can suck air past it's driveshaft seal, and you will go nowhere. AND, they generally require a little more maintenance.
As a final note... If you can get a nice boat in exchange for the kids... I would do it !!!! (lol) I have 2 kids, and they are total pain. (but they love the space of the Islandia. It's the best family boat made)
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Hahaha... I think that may be a scammer... I've been looking at that same post... In Virginia... http://norfolk.craigslist.org/boa/5461667157.html#
So I locked onto a 2003 (original owner) who claims a hundred hours or less... Is there any way to verify this? I can't believe there wasn't an hour meter anywhere in the engine bay... That's crazy to me... Anyway, the only real issue I see with the boat is that he tried to redo the seats himself... Not crazy about that... He tells me he won't go below 10k but that tells me there's just a little more room there... My other option is a 2001 with better vinyl, but more hours for sure... I think I can bring him closer to 9k... I'm leaning toward the 2003, what do you all think?
Dr Honda
Well-Known Member
That's a hard call............
OK....
The 2003: There was a small change in the hull, and it is supposed to ride nicer, and come up on plane faster. With that said... I've been in a few Islandia's, and when they are running right, I really couldn't tell a difference. (so take that with a grain of salt)
The low time isn't a factor when you are talking +10 years. A poorly winterized boat (assuming NJ) could leave you with a drive that is messed up, from ice forming. Also, assuming NJ... if it's seen salt time... then corrosion is a factor. One thing to keep in mind is that water is in the exhaust, and that will vaporize and condense in the engine. That's why you "Fog" the engine when it's going to sit. Since it (supposedly) very low hours... that could be bad, since it wasn't run enough to keep the internals clean of rust. (and covered in oil)
Also... in 2001-1/2, Mercury changed the engines some. That change showed up (generally) in 2003 for seadoo. I value the 2002 engines higher. There was updates to the entire fuel system, and charging system... and the oil injection became bullet proof !! (assuming it's maintained) Also, it could have a bigger engine. The 250hp was in some of the 2003 boats.
SO... I would have the owner send you a picture of the engine.
$10k is a good price, assuming the home grown upostery isn't totally half-assed. BUT... if you are good with your hands... that can be fixed for a few hundred $$$.
Finally... there is an hour meter on the Merc's. It's just built into the computer. So, you will need to take it to a Mercury dealer (not a seadoo dealer) to read it out. (or find someone with a Rinda, or Quicksilver DDT system)
On the 2001:
I would only move to that boat if the owner said the engine has already been replaced. If it hasn't... it's going to need it soon. (well, so will the 2003, but it's a better platform to start with, assuming it has the newer style engine)
OK....
The 2003: There was a small change in the hull, and it is supposed to ride nicer, and come up on plane faster. With that said... I've been in a few Islandia's, and when they are running right, I really couldn't tell a difference. (so take that with a grain of salt)
The low time isn't a factor when you are talking +10 years. A poorly winterized boat (assuming NJ) could leave you with a drive that is messed up, from ice forming. Also, assuming NJ... if it's seen salt time... then corrosion is a factor. One thing to keep in mind is that water is in the exhaust, and that will vaporize and condense in the engine. That's why you "Fog" the engine when it's going to sit. Since it (supposedly) very low hours... that could be bad, since it wasn't run enough to keep the internals clean of rust. (and covered in oil)
Also... in 2001-1/2, Mercury changed the engines some. That change showed up (generally) in 2003 for seadoo. I value the 2002 engines higher. There was updates to the entire fuel system, and charging system... and the oil injection became bullet proof !! (assuming it's maintained) Also, it could have a bigger engine. The 250hp was in some of the 2003 boats.
SO... I would have the owner send you a picture of the engine.
$10k is a good price, assuming the home grown upostery isn't totally half-assed. BUT... if you are good with your hands... that can be fixed for a few hundred $$$.
Finally... there is an hour meter on the Merc's. It's just built into the computer. So, you will need to take it to a Mercury dealer (not a seadoo dealer) to read it out. (or find someone with a Rinda, or Quicksilver DDT system)
On the 2001:
I would only move to that boat if the owner said the engine has already been replaced. If it hasn't... it's going to need it soon. (well, so will the 2003, but it's a better platform to start with, assuming it has the newer style engine)
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So now I don't know... I put my hands on the 2003 today... I was really hoping that it was tip top. What I found was a really nice looking (almost new) 250 optimax mounted to a near perfect looking drive. So far so good... But then I noticed just in front of the intake grate, a really poor fiberglass patch repair... Like 8-10" wide by 12-16" long... The rest of the boat wasn't terrible... Little chalky but to be expected... Vinyl repair was a hack job, but fortunately he just covered the existing vinyl with some plain white, so the original pattern is there underneath. Think I'm heading back out into the market and check out some 2000-2001 models... It's hard to part with 8-10k knowing it needs fiberglass repair and vinyl... Shame cause in the water this thing really performed nice.n motor seemed to run crisp... It's a toss up... Good power and questionable hull, or good hull and questionable power?
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