1970 Starchief conversion to center console

[BajaRon]

Looks like you're about to start putting it all back together now. Don't forget to leak test first.

Yep! I did the leak test...twice. Found 13 small leaks at the rivets. Replaced all that leaked, then Gluvit

 

[BWR1953]

And after the Gluvit, you leak tested again, right?

 

[oldhaven]

Be sure to leak test the belly fuel tank before sealing it under the deck. Sad story, bad experience....

 

[BajaRon]

No Title

And after the Gluvit, you leak tested again, right?

No, I did not...but I will! Thanks, Ron

Good idea for the belly tank. It is a new tank, but better to check. Thanks to you both, Ron

 

[Watermann]

The new tank would've been pressure tested prior to leaving the manufacurer, not really something that's necessary for a new one.

 

[BajaRon]

No Title

Ok, back again after having problems posting pictures...here goes. Still making plenty of mistakes. Working like mad all day, every day...so I can go back to work!

 

[BajaRon]

No Title

again...now trying to enlarge picture

 

[Watermann]

You've got lots of stuff going on there Ron, not sure where your at in the rebuild.

Are you planning on putting some kind of support structure in for this once upon a time Chief? Right now there's only a splashwell and part of the bow cover left of the original structure that held the boat together.

 

[laurentide]

Ya, you need those shelves and side panels. You'll have cracked rib ends and spray rail chines in no time without that structure. The whole hull will flex like crazy.

 

[Watermann]

Ya, you need those shelves and side panels. You'll have cracked rib ends and spray rail chines in no time without that structure. The whole hull will flex like crazy.

1970 models didn't have the hull stiffeners from the factory either and I don't recall them being added or I missed it.

 

[classiccat]

1970 models didn't have the hull stiffeners from the factory either and I don't recall them being added or I missed it.

they're 1/2 added in this picture. I assume they were eventually fastened to the bottom hull skin (if not, they're not going to offer any structural support).

 

[Watermann]

Jeez I'm getting old I remember now, he did the same as me adding the stiffeners between the ribs, that eliminates the spray rail issue and adds structural integrity for sure. It does need to have the side panels though, guess we should wait to hear from Ron if he's putting them in to solve that mystery. :lol:

 

[BajaRon]

Man!...you guys are on it! This site is...excellent. Yep. the hull stiffeners are complete. And yes, it has the side supports. I am "beefing the side supports as we speak, ...still engineering. I will shoot some pictures tonight.

This boat will be a utilitarian work boat,...blood and guts for the Pacific Northwest and Baja.

Waterman, Oldhaven, Granddad and others should be brain surgeon's or building violin's and piano's....me, I use a 4ft chain saw and 10 pound single jack!

 

[laurentide]

Wow, awesome work Ron. I'm one of the early 70's owners who didn't do the reinforcement connectors, so you've got a beefier hull than mine. In my case the side panels tied into everything else do all the heavy lifting holding things together. So far so good. If I ever repower I'll be pulling the deck out to install the stiffeners and add a belly tank.

The boat looks great!

 

[BajaRon]

No Title

Ok guys, have to hurry. Big dinner tonight, then 3 days off...30th anniversary to Pt. Arena!

Once again, this is not a pretty boat, made to copy a Baja work boat. Dive gear coming over the side...tons of blood from tuna, shark fishing, 100 degree heat, high salinity in the Sea of Cortez, anchored out in Baja for...5 weeks straight, free diving in Northern California, rockfish, albacore, salmon.

I had this same model about 30 years ago...I loved it! Last boat was a 22ft Bayrunner.

I have tried to beef up...everything. 5/8 marine flooring, removed the bow hatch...then covered with a sheet of aluminum...then reinforced with double 1x 6 mahogany for a anchor cleat...then used better SS hardware on bow wood bolts... new mahogany spanning the bow from port to starboard...and did not cut the bottom arch for more strength, spanned the forward deck at the transition from main deck to bow deck with a piece of 1x6 hardwood. 5/8 marine front deck replace the 1/2 decking. See pictures of splash well support...beefed up side deck supports...see pictures of deck to side support runners-had friend bend new ones...they run the entire length of main deck
On gunnels I used aluminum support ON TOP AND BOTTOM of rod holder, cleats, and railing...see pictures. 20ft length of 7/8 SS railing...with support on top and bottom. Bolted center console with thur bolts...same with T-Top. Used no rivets when securing deck to aluminum runners....SS Sheet metal screws instead...used SS sheet metal screws also with the outside of deck to ribs

let me try some picts...and don't hate me for killing a Chieftain...this boat is my retirement boat! Back at it on Monday or Tuesday, Ron

 

[Watermann]

You can always ask a Mod to have the title changed to reflect the CC conversion, that way Chief lovers in the future don't have such a surprise when they see it decapitated.

Looks like you've done a bunch of behind the scenes work in the past 2 weeks or you were behind on posting your progress. You should be getting her splashed pretty soon.

 

[BajaRon]

No Title

Hi everyone, had to go back to work...or move out! Just about done, need to spend a little time with the trailer, and build a seat around my live well. I will try to post a few pictures. Fired the new motor up on the side of the house, may get it on the water this weekend. All looks good, all electrical items work, motor shifts good. These pictures are about 3 weeks old...new ones soon. Thanks!

Also...
How do I contact the moderator?
How do I sell parts from my conversion? I have three windows and the original bow hatch and outer support.
Per Watermann's suggestion...how do I change the title to reflect my work is a conversion?

 

[jbcurt00]

1: just PM any of us, notify us by putting an (apresand, the around symbol) immediately in front of our user name [like so: jbcurt00 ] or we might find your post.....

2: No parts sales of any kind in the open forum, anywhere. Including giveaways

3: Title changed from Remodel to Conversion

 

[oldhaven]

Quick work on your conversion. I am looking forward to your pictures.
You can join Fiberglassics and post an ad for free to get rid of your parts. It is fiberglass focused but has a large following of aluminum boat owners and a classic aluminum boat forum. There are a lot of iBoat members that are on both sites. Otherwise Ebay is good for obscure parts selling if you are willing to start an account. Craigslist is local but if you set your keywords right, there are national search engines that will pick up your ad.

http://www.fiberglassics.com/glassifieds.html

Good luck

 

[Watermann]

Hey Ron if you're not a member already, sign up for the SC Facebook group, there's a sell something feature. https://www.facebook.com/groups/142561435756250/