Hi; I'm looking at possibly buying a 1969 Islander 33. Any feedback on the overall quality and seaworthiness of this boat? A concern for me is the ballast to displacement ratio: about 10,000 displacement, with about 3,400 as ballast. Seems a little low? Any feedback on general thoughts and feelings about this boat as a bluewater cruiser? Thanks, Kimmo
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I-33 response
These I-33's are know for cruising ability. I brought a 36 up from La Paz in May, they do okay in some heavy stuff. A '69 would be laid-up with pretty thick glass. I don't specifically remember surveying an Islander 33, but the ballast to displacement ratio is okay; no known problems. On sea trial, see how sea kindly or tender she is. Terry 415-722-7695
These I-33's are know for cruising ability. I brought a 36 up from La Paz in May, they do okay in some heavy stuff. A '69 would be laid-up with pretty thick glass. I don't specifically remember surveying an Islander 33, but the ballast to displacement ratio is okay; no known problems. On sea trial, see how sea kindly or tender she is. Terry 415-722-7695
Blue water boat blues
I can't say anything concerning the Islander 33 but I have an Islander 30 that I refitted with plans for off shore cruising. These are a condensed version of the changes I felt were needed. 1. The cockpit lockers were open to the interior of the boat. So flood the cockpit and down flood the cabin. 2.The companion threshold was below the coamings. Again flood the cockpit and down flood the cabin. 3. The cockpit was huge. By my calculation it would hold about a ton and a half of water and the drains were only three quarters of an inch. 4. The chain plates attached to the deck and not to the hull. They would work, break the seal of the bedding and leak. 5. This model had picture windows of 1/4 inch plexiglas. I wasn't confident that a storm driven wave wouldn't come through them. 6. The fore deck hatch was not water tight and couldn't be dogged down. 7. The cleats on the foredeck were too small for the loads that the anchor would place on them in a storm. My remedys follow. I cut out half of the cockpit and built a lazerette in the stern with a water tight bulkhead separating the cabin from the lazerette and with a well scuppered hatch in the top that can be dogged down tight. I raised the companion threshold to the level of the coamings and built a water tank in for a step. I reinforced the inside of the hull in the way of the chain plates and installed outboard chain plates. I removed the large windows and glassed the holes and installed opening port lights. I replaced the original cockpit drains with 2 two inch diameter drains through the lazerette. I replaced the fore hatch with one that can be dogged down and sealed. I installed a six inch mooring bitt with heavy backing plate on the fore deck after I had added several layers of fiberglass to the under side of the deck. There is much other work that was done for my comfort and pleasure but I felt that those items above were essential for me to be able to expect to come back. Ross in Bel Air
I can't say anything concerning the Islander 33 but I have an Islander 30 that I refitted with plans for off shore cruising. These are a condensed version of the changes I felt were needed. 1. The cockpit lockers were open to the interior of the boat. So flood the cockpit and down flood the cabin. 2.The companion threshold was below the coamings. Again flood the cockpit and down flood the cabin. 3. The cockpit was huge. By my calculation it would hold about a ton and a half of water and the drains were only three quarters of an inch. 4. The chain plates attached to the deck and not to the hull. They would work, break the seal of the bedding and leak. 5. This model had picture windows of 1/4 inch plexiglas. I wasn't confident that a storm driven wave wouldn't come through them. 6. The fore deck hatch was not water tight and couldn't be dogged down. 7. The cleats on the foredeck were too small for the loads that the anchor would place on them in a storm. My remedys follow. I cut out half of the cockpit and built a lazerette in the stern with a water tight bulkhead separating the cabin from the lazerette and with a well scuppered hatch in the top that can be dogged down tight. I raised the companion threshold to the level of the coamings and built a water tank in for a step. I reinforced the inside of the hull in the way of the chain plates and installed outboard chain plates. I removed the large windows and glassed the holes and installed opening port lights. I replaced the original cockpit drains with 2 two inch diameter drains through the lazerette. I replaced the fore hatch with one that can be dogged down and sealed. I installed a six inch mooring bitt with heavy backing plate on the fore deck after I had added several layers of fiberglass to the under side of the deck. There is much other work that was done for my comfort and pleasure but I felt that those items above were essential for me to be able to expect to come back. Ross in Bel Air
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