Marine Forum

Islander 23

Anonymous user

24 July 2008 13:44:46

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Hi to all,
I'm new to sailing and bought myelf a boat a couple of months ago. I bought an Islander 23. I could do with finding some information out about these boats as I need to make a few modifications / enhancements to the interior and I also want to find out how the keels have been fitted. A gift would be some sort of plans for these boats, but not expecting miracles, any information about these boats would be great. I've searched online all over the place and can't find anything about them. As the name suggests its 23ft, twin keel, 4 birth (although limited headroom). I'm guessing built in the 60's 70's judging from the style. Has anyone seen one of these boats anywhere, know anyone who has one or has had better luck than myself with searching online.
Many thanks to all - fingers crossed for a response.

Re: Islander 23

Anonymous user

24 July 2008 14:39:41

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

have you got a picture?

Re: Islander 23

Anonymous user

28 July 2008 16:20:00

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Hi there
Yes I've got loads of pics but can't get them onto this forum for some reason?
Cheers

Re: Islander 23

Anonymous user

31 July 2008 22:03:16

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Hi- Me and a friend have also just purchased an Islander 23 and are seeking information and advice. In particular a forthcoming winter job is to renew bottom rudder bearing and we need to know how. Anybody any ideas? Thanks

Re: Islander 23

Anonymous user

18 August 2008 13:32:37

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

I've been looking for some time now and still can't find any details in connection with an Islander 23. Getting desperate now for some assistance. There appear to have been a few for sale recently, so obviously quite a few of these must have been made.

Re: Islander 23

Anonymous user

07 October 2008 15:44:11

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

Does anyone know if the bilges are supposed to connect to make it easier to empty any water which collects. Also, does anyone know the best way to renew the floor in the main cabin (above the bilges) as ours appears quite week and now fibreglassed in parts. Any plans that may be available for these boats would really be appreciated.

Re: Islander 23

Anonymous user

07 October 2008 17:03:46

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

Hi - I posted a query back in July asking for info about replacing lower rudder bush but I've had little response. Our own boat has the same problem inasmuch that the floor around the 12" Square bilge access openings was split and damaged and my foot kept slipping into the bilge. There were some existing mahogany supports between boat hull and flat floor but I dont know if these were original fit items or a later addition to render a cure. I fitted a full length piece of ply which solved the problem. It is not secured in any way but just sits there under its own weight, plus any floor covering you may choose.It can be lifted to check bilge, but as it sits right across the floor it provides a good secure floor. From memory the bilge areas are in fact seperate.
I'm disappointed that more Islander 23 owners have not responded. I have contacted a few owners where I've had access to their e-mail address (when advertised for sale for example) and they have been very helpful to any questions I posed but I've still not had an answer about the lower rudder bush.
There were about 150 built and our sail no. is 134, indicating it was one of the later ones, was built in 1970. Its fitted with a Dolphin 12hp inboard which we are very pleased with. One of the winter jobs is to remove the camels hump from the lazarette locker lid to make stern access better and to make it easier to fit a modified mainsail horse, or traveller, which also will improve stern access whilst at mooring.
Regards
David Maddison

Re: Islander 23

Anonymous user

17 December 2008 16:11:53

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

Hi

Morgan Marine in Brightlingsea replaced the rudder on my Islander 23 about a year or two ago and as such became very familiar with the whole rudder design. My boat is called Bluebeat. They are worth speaking to about it. My rudder shaft was bent badly and they had lots of fun getting it out. Hope that helps

Karl

Re: Islander 23

Anonymous user

24 December 2008 14:57:14

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

Thanks Karl. I will make contact with Morgan Marine. I have had a look at Bluebeats rudder over the last few days, (we're ashore on the same side of the river as you but just around the corner somewhat) and they have done a fine job.
Many thanks

Re: Islander 23

Anonymous user

10 February 2009 15:30:03

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

I have and Islander 23 also - Tamar, based in Langstone Harbour.

There is a bit of an Islander 23 community on this forum in Alaska
http://www.aurorawolf.com/

Or perhaps you have found that already. And I have some images of brochures if anyone want to email for them.

Richard

Re: Islander 23

Anonymous user

10 February 2009 16:43:14

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

Hi Richard, thanks for the link to Alaska.
I have visited this forum previously and asked members if anyone could advise me about removing the rudder to replace the bearings. My colleague and I have taken the bull by the horns and re-engineered the base of the skeg by manufacturing and fitting a tight fitting steel shoe with an extension to take the new bottom rudder bearing. This was after we sawed off the built in skeg extention which then enabled the rudder to slide out. New bearings were fitted and the straightened rudder shaft has now been replaced. Much epoxy paint has been applied and this season will prove its effectiveness (or not!!). A new mainsail is being manufactured and we have significantly altered the "bulge" over the stern locker, creating room for a new mainsheet traveller, as well as creating a much neater shape.
When things are a bit more progressed I'll take some photos.
Regards
David

Re: Islander 23

Anonymous user

11 July 2009 19:42:00

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

My internet search has produced the following info from,of all people, aprevious owner of our very own Islander 23:-
"The rudder is actually made in two halves, riveted together and then fibre glassed. The top 3 inches is designed to be removed to allow the rudder to be lifted vertically to facilitate removal, if you scraped the antifoul away at the top you would be able to see the removable part. The correct way to remove the rudder is to chip away the top bearing which will then allow enough lateral movement for the lower part of the rudder to pass the skeg. I found that there was enough spring in the shaft to flex it pass the skeg and thus save replacing the top bearing as well."

Re: Islander 23

Anonymous user

02 March 2010 17:05:24

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

Hi there, I'm Paul I am in Bristol. I purchased an Islander 23 last August, it needed a lot of work doing on her, i've nearly finished. I have had the same problem in finding out any imformation on Islanders. Mine is supposed to be 1980 ?
I have a vire 7 engine (Twostroke single cylinder)

Where are u moored what sort of condition is she in?

Love to hear from u thanks Paul Morris.

Re: Islander 23

Anonymous user

02 March 2010 20:24:21

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

Hi - We are moored at Plymouth, The Tpopoint Mosquito Sailing Club to be precise, which is a Sailing Club adjacent to the Torpoint Ferry on the river Tamar which separates Plymouth from Cornwall.
We've done a fair amount of work to our Islander. This year we have increased the size of the rudder. It was an "L" shape but we found we never appeared to turn as quickly as other yachts (especially when racing in the river) We could pick up the pace on a point to point but lost out at the turns. We could see that (in our opinion) the rudder had a large cutaway at the top aft corner which was to give clearance to the outboard motor if there was one fitted in a well. Apparantly the large "Lazerette Locker" had a facility to fit in an outboard motor through a well. It could be fitted on a mechanical lowering system such that the motor could easily be lowered or lifted by means of a mechanical or hydraulic lift system. If the motor was lowered then it would chew chunks out of the rudder unless there was a suitable cutaway in the rudder. We have filled in that cutaway to give an almost square shape to the rudder. It is anticipated that this might also help with the weatherhelm issue we sometimes get when pushing hard, but time will tell.
We have a Dolphin 12 hp petrol 2 stroke twin fitted which works very well. It is fitted with a sailing c utch, a centrifugal device which disengages the prop shaft from the engine when engine is switched off enabling the prop to freewheel reducing drag - well thats the theory. This clutch was refitted over the winter so it we are keen to experinece it in action in a few weeks time.
The engine has a dynastart system which acts as a starter motor, then as a dynamo to charge batteries. The electrical system is such that the engine can run in either direction and there is no gearbox, but is direct drive. Astern is achieved by stopping the engine then restarting in astern when the engine quite happily runs in reverse!!! Sounds a bit odd but it works very well. Our last sail of last season saw us putting the boat on the beach as we developed a bad leak whereby water came in from the outside of the stern tube into the engine bay. As we dried out we could see that the bottom bolt that holds the Cutlass bearing support tube had fallen out leaving a hole through into the deadwood, which obviously is hollow. The grp seal between the inside end of the stern tube had over the years deteriorated and allowed water into the boat. The thread in the deadwood was worn away and a replacement 5/16" Whitworth bolt wouldnt hold at all well and a winter job saw us strip out the stern gear. The support tube bolts were opened out to 8mm and new bronze bolts fitted and wire locked. Before we put it all back we poured resin into the space around the inner end of the stern tube and filled up the void there. Some resin ran out of the lower of the two holes in the deadwood so we are pretty confident that the same thing cannot happen again. Fingers crossed!!
Another job was to fit another tabernacle as the existing was an original item and was badly corroded. A local engineering works made us up a S/S one to our own drawing and it now looks a heap tidier. We have also fitted a new electrical fuse panel and a new engine control panel which we are putting the final touches to.
So all in all we have carried out quite a few repairs and improvements which should all come to fruition in the coming season. I'm sure next year we wuill have just as long a list to do but we will get there in the end.
Nice to hear from you. We would be interested to hear what work you have had to do, there may be a few ideas to start off the list of things to do for next year.
Regards
David

Re: Islander 23

Anonymous user

30 March 2010 19:46:57

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

Hi Paul - I'd hoped you might of updated me on your Islander 23, I would be delighted to hear what work you have done or have planned. I hope you received my previous posting.
Regards
David

Re: Islander 23

Anonymous user

30 March 2010 23:19:31

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

Hey sorry, been so busy with work. I bought her in August last year, she had been standing for 2 - 2.5 years on the hard standing with nothing done to her. There was loads of water inside and the outside was shabby. The engine is a Vire 7 7hp two stroke, not been run for a long time. I have now got the boat in Bristol from Poole, I have finishee painting the ouside and nearly finished refurbishing the interior. Luckilt new ropes and Halyards came with the boat, also the sails have only been used once. The engine has needed a reaslly good clean up and new core plugs. I've fitted a new fuel tank, i've just got the engine going properly. The mast is off but hoping to step the mast in the next fortnight. i'm going to give the engine a good test this easter all around Bristol docks. There are still a lot of little fiishing touches to do but i can do all those over the summer, i'm keen to try and get her sailing. I've got some good photos i'll let u see.
Hope ur going ok Thanks Paul.

Re: Islander 23

Anonymous user

15 April 2011 11:33:55

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

Yes I have one.
Keels have a block of concrete in each of them cast and then set in some kind of slurry concrete mix.
Great dry vessels. Mine sailed from US to Australia in 1968, great little sea boat.
e-mail me on abu07713@bigpond.net.au for further discussion.
cheers
Tony Buckland
SV Renata Petrel
Darwin AUS