walleyedog

I'd cruise the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers. Also probably the Cumberland (out of Barkley Lake). You don't see any Islanders here, but I have been aboard one from Michigan and was pretty impressed at the ride and fuel economy. My last boat was a Rinker 260 Fiesta Vee with 454 Mercruiser I/O. That boat was of excellent quality, but it would eat a hole in your wallet for all day cruising. Plus it was a bear to trailer. Looking to go smaller, lighter, and more fuel efficient. Thanks for your advice.

My uses are purely recreational. Weekend lake and river cruising, some lake fishing. I'm getting a little older now, nobody into skiing or tubing (at least until grandkids come along). We've got cabin accommodations where we go, so not really caring about overnighting aboard; but want to be able to stay out all day. With the 4 cylinder and decent size tank I should have good range; and with the cuddy and port-a-pot, along with some good bimini tops, we should be comfortable for the day. I'm not a serious fisherman, but one attraction to this model is trailerability. I may decide to tow it to Florida for some fishing along the nature coast.

I am considering my next boat for inland lakes and rivers. In the past I have always owned fiberglass boats, but I'm thinking seriously about a 22' Starcraft Islander with a 130 Mercruiser I/O. Does anyone have experience with these boars that they would like to share? My thoughts are easy to tow, cheap to run, easy to maintain, although no head-turner or go-fast for sure.