New 1996 Grady White Islander 268 with twin 200 V6 Mercs

greauxpete

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2021
Messages
121
Reaction score
111
Points
43
Age
51
Location
Tha Bayou (Youngsville, LA)
Model
Islander
Hello,

We are new to the site.
Me and a buddy decided to take on a project and bought a 1996 Grady White Islander 268 with twin 200 V6 Mercs. It will need some major cleaning and mechanical work, as it has been sitting under a lean to since 2012..

Here are some pics:
 

Attachments

  • 20210913_102934.jpg
    20210913_102934.jpg
    2.2 MB · Views: 254
  • 20210913_103643.jpg
    20210913_103643.jpg
    1.3 MB · Views: 252
  • Screenshot_20210918-214238_Gallery.jpg
    Screenshot_20210918-214238_Gallery.jpg
    752.3 KB · Views: 249
  • Like
Reactions: PointedRose

greauxpete

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2021
Messages
121
Reaction score
111
Points
43
Age
51
Location
Tha Bayou (Youngsville, LA)
Model
Islander
Let me know what you think.
More pics:
 

Attachments

  • 20210913_103800.jpg
    20210913_103800.jpg
    1.6 MB · Views: 195
  • Screenshot_20210918-214523_Gallery.jpg
    Screenshot_20210918-214523_Gallery.jpg
    631.6 KB · Views: 191
  • Screenshot_20210918-214539_Gallery.jpg
    Screenshot_20210918-214539_Gallery.jpg
    697.1 KB · Views: 188
  • Screenshot_20210918-214533_Gallery.jpg
    Screenshot_20210918-214533_Gallery.jpg
    852.5 KB · Views: 189
  • Screenshot_20210918-214551_Gallery.jpg
    Screenshot_20210918-214551_Gallery.jpg
    698.8 KB · Views: 184

HookUp

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2007
Messages
236
Reaction score
61
Points
28
Model
Adventure
yep, you bought a project boat :)
- Get that power washer out
 
  • Like
Reactions: PointedRose

Paul_A

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2019
Messages
144
Reaction score
43
Points
28
Model
Adventure
Has it been submerged due to a hurricane or is that just years of dirt?

Looks like a great project, be sure to post pictures of your progress. Good luck!
 

Hookup1

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Oct 16, 2007
Messages
3,035
Reaction score
855
Points
113
Age
70
Location
Cape May, NJ
Model
Islander
I have a 1997 Islander 268. Power wash but be careful I have found small voids and chipped gel coat. As above was it submerged or sunk on land with the drain plug in? Clean it up and pull the deck hatches. Have someone check the transom. Good luck!
 

greauxpete

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2021
Messages
121
Reaction score
111
Points
43
Age
51
Location
Tha Bayou (Youngsville, LA)
Model
Islander
Thanks for the interest and replies!
Lol, Oh yeah, it's a project.
No, it has not been submerged.
It's just DIRTY from sitting.
Surprisingly, it was under a cover (with no side protection). I think critters brought in the dirt.
Transom is solid. I jumped on the motors and no movement.

FYI, I currently have a 2320 robalo we routinely take 50 miles offshore. So, not new to offshore boats, but this one is bigger and in a state of disrepair.

I checked compression on the motors before the sale and all of the cylinders had 120 psi with less than 10% variance. No rust on spark plugs.
The motors look clean, and I am very familiar with these engines, so I am confident they will be running in short order. Love the simplicity of of the old carbed outboards.

Gameplan on the motors is to:
1. Rebuild pulse fuel pumps.
2. Soak carbs for atleast 24 hours, blow out jets, resoak, blow out again, inspect needle valve, floats, install new gasket kits, and reinstall carbs.
3. New spark plugs.
4. New fuel lines.
5. New fuel filters.
6. Delete oil injection, go with premix.
7. Fog cylinders with oil before startup and turn over motor with plugs out.
8. Rebuild water pumps, or run with hose on water tube with lowers off (initially on muffs)
9. Startup on muffs with 3 gallon premix tanks with fresh non ethanol fuel.
10. Considering intall of composite reeds for safety factor. (Dont want to chance a chipped reed and blown powerhead)
11. Edit: new thermostats.


Initial boat side plan of action:
1. Major cleaning with electric pressure washer (keep wand far away to reduce potential gel coat damage)
2. Follow up with hull cleaner to get rid of staining.
3. Inspect, bleed hydraulic steering system to determine if it is holding pressure.
4. Pull fuel tank hatch cover (which is intact and not cracked, but seems to have alot of deflection) for recoring. Will inspect stringers while floor is pulled.
5. Use steam jenny to clean out fuel tanks. Rinse/repeat until clean water is being pumped out.
6. Install new fuel hoses with fuel/water separators for each motor.
7. Install new bilge pumps (2 pumps), with new float switch (Ultra Safety Systems JR), and bilge hoses.
8. After researching, I eventually, plan on pulling powerheads, removing the "sealed" metal cap, and sealing the top of the transom with fiberglass to prevent water intrusion.

Here are some pics of the inside of the transom (top bolts) and stringers (note slight delamination on stringer- will need to address, by relaminating top of stringers with new glass (stringers are dry based on initial inspection)

Apologies on quality of pics, which are screen captures from video I managed to get:
Screenshot_20210919-070023_Video Player.jpg
Screenshot_20210919-070056_Video Player.jpg
Screenshot_20210919-070034_Video Player.jpg

Looking forward to comments, criticism, and suggestions.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: PointedRose

SmokyMtnGrady

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 11, 2009
Messages
2,020
Reaction score
504
Points
113
There is a decent probability you will be replacing the fuel tanks. The aluminum tanks do oxidize and wear thin with holes over time . Enjoy the project ..Sometimes working on the boat is the best time I spend and sometimes it's frustrating. lol.
 

only1miller

New Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2021
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Age
50
Model
Tournament 225
I think that boat found the right owners! I just bought a 96 Grady Tournament and wish I was half as knowledgeable as you guys!
 

Paul_A

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2019
Messages
144
Reaction score
43
Points
28
Model
Adventure
8. After researching, I eventually, plan on pulling powerheads, removing the "sealed" metal cap, and sealing the top of the transom with fiberglass to prevent water intrusion.

Big thumbs up for this one. And your game plan regarding the motors and hull sounds great.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PointedRose

PointedRose

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2021
Messages
679
Reaction score
212
Points
43
Location
San Francisco
Model
Overnighter
Can’t wait to see the after and some fish pics, good luck and enjoy!
 

greauxpete

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2021
Messages
121
Reaction score
111
Points
43
Age
51
Location
Tha Bayou (Youngsville, LA)
Model
Islander
Hookup1, only1miller, Paul_A, Pointed Rose,

Thanks for the comments.

SmokyMtnGrady,

I'm a little concerned about access to the main fuel tank. Hoping its intact and not leaking.

Has anyone ever pulled the main tank on an Islander through the floor panel, without major surgery on the bulkheads, and adjacent fiberglass structure?
I have access to an overhead crane, that may help matters..
Worst case, it's got a leak and we cut it out in pieces and go back with a new tank..
 
Last edited:

Scot Smith

Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2019
Messages
16
Reaction score
4
Points
3
Age
63
Model
Islander
I have same year boat, bought it in 2019
So far biggest hurdle has been getting a marina to give my boat the time it needs
So many - because of Covid- have been busy moving new boats out the door and into the water and of course dealing with their new boat owners issues - I do get it they sold themthe whole package and now have to stand behind it. I bought mine as is and all . I did all the cushions over for $900 after a good cleaning that made a huge difference in her appearance - still working out some issues, but I love the layout and space on this 26-8
 

SouthFork

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2020
Messages
77
Reaction score
13
Points
8
Age
46
Location
Stuart, Florida
Model
Sailfish
I had a ‘95 Islander with twin HPDI 200’s. Boat ran 53knots WOT. Be sure to check the stringers when you remove the plate over the tank. The top of the stringers on mine that were DIRECTLY under the seam for the deck plate did not have ANY fiberglass on the top. There was about an inch channel from the sides that water just sat in and turned about 6” of the stringer to mush that I had repaired.
 

greauxpete

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2021
Messages
121
Reaction score
111
Points
43
Age
51
Location
Tha Bayou (Youngsville, LA)
Model
Islander
Southfork,

I noticed the same thing on the stringers at the transom. See pics.
Not sure why they wouldn't have sealed the tops of the stringers and top of the transom at the factory?

Looks like I'll be glassing the stringers, where I can get access. Hopefully the cover kept them out of the weather and from getting soft.
 

greauxpete

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2021
Messages
121
Reaction score
111
Points
43
Age
51
Location
Tha Bayou (Youngsville, LA)
Model
Islander
Fuel tanks look decent.
How does the fuel from the aux tank typically get to the motors?

Floor panel will need recoring:
 

Attachments

  • 20210923_191723.jpg
    20210923_191723.jpg
    1.7 MB · Views: 146
  • 20210923_191939.jpg
    20210923_191939.jpg
    2.2 MB · Views: 145

PointedRose

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2021
Messages
679
Reaction score
212
Points
43
Location
San Francisco
Model
Overnighter
I think any corrosion might be on the bottom of the fuel tanks rather than the top. If I’m reading correctly the fuel tank is from ‘99, so 20 years old. Maybe you get some time with them as is, but I wouldn’t push too long before replacing. The alum tanks typically have a 20 year life.

You should be able to follow the hoses to a Y fitting I think with a shutoff handle to each hose - probably near the stern, it would be designed to be easily accessible.

this thread might help you
 

greauxpete

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 14, 2021
Messages
121
Reaction score
111
Points
43
Age
51
Location
Tha Bayou (Youngsville, LA)
Model
Islander
I'll probably pressure test the tanks with 0.65 psi, which is the static head pressure for 24" of gasoline (6 lbs per gallon.