manukabay

The bracket frees up so much space in the back of the boat that a 19 footer becomes pretty spacious. Sometimes I second guess myself on my decision to go with the 22. I tow a lot too, and launch by myself a lot, and a little smaller boat would make that easier. But then again, when I have 2-3 other people on board, I appreciate the extra space.

You did good! And the Etec is a nice motor. A year ago, I repowered mine with a Merc 150 4S and also swapped out my 25hp Merc kicker in favor of a new 9,9 EFI ProKicker. I stayed with Merc mainly so that I wouldn't have to change out the controls and gauges. It was all plug-and-play, I did it all myself. Not that the Opti was a bad motor ... as 2-strokes go, it was excellent. Started easy, never saw any visible smoke, reasonably quiet, and really good on gas. But they are kind of known for compressor issues before they reach 1K miles and mine was getting close, and I was tired of buying DFI oil for $40 a gallon. The 150 4S is a little quieter and smoother, a little better on gas, and doesn't consume oil. And it didn't cost much to upgrade. I got the 150 4S as a CPO, with zero hours, literally looked brand new, for $8.5K, and sold the Opti for $4.5K. The 9.9 EFI ProKicker is massive step forward from the 2007 vintage 25hp kicker I had. Much lighter, smoother, and generally better running.

Yes, that's correct. The "B" suffix indicates a factory bracket boat. Came out in 2006 and went way when the Islander was discontinued in 2010ish. Curious fact ... the 221B, brand spanky new with a 150 Optimax, was $28K. Man, I would jump at the chance to get a new one for that price today.

The boat pictured says 191B on it, indicating the 19 footer. The 221B's say 221B in that spot. Although mine are missing. What's odd though is that yours is on a tandem trailer, which every other 191B I've seen had a single axle trailer.

I think it's 19' not counting the bracket. With the bracket it's 21'. Same kind of deal with the 221B ... 22' not counting the bracket, 24' counting the bracket.

She's a beauty! Congratulations! The boat that's the original subject of this thread ... http://www.aswracing.com/starcraft221b.jpg ... is now slaying salmon on the Columbia River. http://www.aswracing.com/fish09-22-18.jpg It's a fishy boat, Between me and my buddies, we're boating more than 100 a year, chinook and sockeye both.

Yeah, I saw that in the Seattle Craigslist. Looks like a beauty. If I hadn't found this one, I'd be all over it! I'm in north Idaho and you're a whole lot closer. https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/d/seattle-2006-starcraft-islander-221/6943996145.html I bet you guys sell it quick.

Tell me about it! I looked high and low for an authentic 221B. Scoured listings for about a year. Lots of conversions out there, but I wanted the factory version. The 191B's seem to be a lot more common, but I really wanted the 22 footer. Finally I found a mention of one for sale on a fishing forum. It was in Kentucky, some 2000 miles away from me here in North Idaho. The listing was nearly 2 years old so I figured it was a long shot. But no harm in asking. Much to my surprise, it was still available! Did the deal and got it shipped and I'm loving the boat. Still getting it all set up for myself and the way I fish. Those Great Lakes guys do things weird ;)