New to starcraft. 1963 cheaftain restore

[dbmmorin]

1963 Starcraft cheiftain restoration

Picked this boat up a couple months ago and have been doing some work to it. The top windshield was busted. May not replace. Front windshield is solid but full of micro cracks. I think im just going to tint it. Got the deck replaced with 3/4 marine grade plywood and put an epoxy coating on both sides and all the cut edges. Replaced the old foam under the deck with new foam board. Should Finnish the sanding and prep work on the top and get paint on this weekend. Previous owner painted the top white with a good epoxy paint but did a very bad job. Painted over all the fixtures and screw heads. Going with the sea foam green top as close to original color. Motor is a 1984 evenrude 70hp that runs well. Probably a bit under powered. It also had all the original cushions and padding for the cabin in fairly decent condition and will be reupholstered this winter. I paid 3k for boat motor and trailer. Hopefully it will be worth double that when I am done. The hull is in excellent condition and does not leak. Threw it in the water before putting the deck down to make sure. The transom is in good condition but will need replacement in a couple years i think, but pretty solid now. Dont want to get into that now as summer is on the doorstep.


Thanks
Mike

 

[oldrem]

Welcome aboard! Watermann will probably be along soon once he sees another Cheaftain is here

 

[dbmmorin]

Cool, can use all the tips I can get

 

[Watermann]

:welcome: to the Starmada and the Chief brotherhood!

Nice to see one of the older Chiefs being worked on. If that transom is the original then you really should consider yanking it out, it's not a tough job at all to replace.

That 70 will do fine, no speed demon but with a light load should serve you well with some proper maintenance.

Almost forgot to add that we have our own section for Starcraft boats. https://forums.iboats.com/forum/owners-groups-by-manufacturer/s/starcraft-boats

 

[dbmmorin]

Hi Guys,
New to the forum.
Picked this boat up a couple months ago and have been doing some work to it. The top windshield was busted. May not replace. Front windshield is solid but full of micro cracks. I think im just going to tint it. Got the deck replaced with 3/4 marine grade plywood and put an epoxy coating on both sides and all the cut edges. Replaced the old foam under the deck with new foam board. Should Finnish the sanding and prep work on the top and get paint on this weekend. Previous owner painted the top white with a good epoxy paint but did a very bad job. Painted over all the fixtures and screw heads. Going with the sea foam green top as close to original color. Motor is a 1984 evenrude 70hp that runs well. Probably a bit under powered. It also had all the original cushions and padding for the cabin in fairly decent condition and will be reupholstered this winter. I paid 3k for boat motor and trailer. Hopefully it will be worth double that when I am done. The hull is in excellent condition and does not leak. Threw it in the water before putting the deck down to make sure. The transom is in good condition but will need replacement in a couple years i think, but pretty solid now. Dont want to get into that now as summer is on the doorstep.

 

[Watermann]

Thanks waterman. Ill move on over to the starcraft spot

You can ask a mod to move your thread there if you'd like jbcurt00 can help out.

oops, sorry looks like you duplicated.

 

[bchaney]

Welcome aboard and congrats on the boat. I like your tarp/tent setup with the tree branches

 

[jbcurt00]

Merged, and did a little cleanup of un needed posts @ merge

 

[dbmmorin]

Welcome aboard and congrats on the boat. I like your tarp/tent setup with the tree branches

It seems to be working and staying dry. Doesn't keep out the mosquitoes though

 

[dbmmorin]

Got the first coat of paint on. Used Pettit paint in sea-foam green color. As close as I could find to the original color I could find off the shelf.

 

[Watermann]

Nice, I like the topside being blue and white on sides. :thumb:

 

[dbmmorin]

Thanks Waterman! I was checking out some of the boats you did. Nice work there. You did more work on your boats than I did, but I feel confident it should hold up for quite a while.. Had it out on the water this weekend. That old motor ran excellent.. Those are the original cushions too. Need to have them redone this winter. Foam in good shape. Waiting on some Durabak marine liner to come in so I can finish the deck and out the panels ind back doors in

 

[Watermann]

Looks like the setters found their place in the Chief :thumb:

 

[dbmmorin]

It is their boat!:joyous: