1970 Starcraft chieftain restore

[Star01]

1970 chieftain restoration

Hello. New member. Been reading forums here. So much info. I bought a 1970 Starcraft chieftain 21’ 120 mercruser. I fell in love with this boat. I want to restore it. It’s in decent shape. Seems to run good. With muffs on. Someone did a lot of interior work to it. But not restored. Be honest I don’t know where to start. It’s a beauty or will be. Will be doing most of work on my own. Looking for anyone who restores aluminum boats like this to head me in the right direction. I’ll post photos when I know how. Thanks in advance.

 

[Michigan Lakes]

I'd head over to the Starcraft forum and check out the sticky (top of page) loaded with previous builds.

https://forums.iboats.com/forum/owners-groups-by-manufacturer/s/starcraft-boats

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome aboard, Star.

Click on Forum Help in my sig and look at the How To about attaching pics your posts.

Hoping to see your Chieftain soon.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Good advise above. Go to that StarCraft rebuild forum and read each and every post on rebuilds from start to finish, everything.

Never fall in love with a boat. You can't divorce it, she will be a love hate relationship, that I guarantee. This new love of yours will cost you more than getting divorced from a Woman, multiple times. Take a deep breath and start reading.

 

[Star01]

Thanks for the tips on photos. I’ll find Starcraft forum

 

[Star01]

Taking your advice. Read read read. Still gonna restore it. Hope to post pics soon. Thanks for the warning though.

 

[GA_Boater]

Starcraft forum link is also in my sig. :smile:

 

[Star01]

Trying to post enough for pics

 

[82rude]

Wheres home?There was a nice 21 plus chieftain around my area for sale for under 2 grand cnd with a chev straight 6 .Have not seen it for sale for a while so I suppose somebody snapped her up.I see a top tier Stanley has showed up just up te road from me,drool drool.

 

[Star01]

[No message]

 

[Star01]

Would like to do a complete restoration. Will be asking for advice. Today find out if bad fuel pump. Or carb. Or just air leak. Want it running well before I tear it apart. Lot of work. But should do me well for Lake Ontario boat

 

[Bondo]

But should do me well for Lake Ontario boat

Ayuh,....... Welcome Aboard,..... Only if you like to be beaten silly,.....

I ran a 221 Islander for 20 years up here,.... The bottom is to flat to cut the waves,.....
If I didn't run out onto the lake very early mornin', it took forever to get there once the breeze picked up,....
Bein' on the northeast corner, I'm always runnin' into a headwind,....

Shoulda gone to a deep-V glass boat 19 years ago,.....

 

[Star01]

Prolly should have gone glass. But I’m a tin guy. Love em. But I’ve been running out to Stoney and little galloo with my 16’ javelin bass boat. Caught couple times coming back in 4-5 footers. Pay attention to the wind for sure out there. Still prolly get wet but I’ll feel better. She’s still not for 4-6’. Got fuel to carb now. Going to clean carb see what happens,

 

[Star01]

Tear floor out check foam sure I’ll replace. But does anyone have a suggestion on sealing the bottom after that. I’ll steam clean. But want to seal bottom. Seams and rivetts? Thank you.

 

[82rude]

Im a huge fan of Fasco steelflex.Did my 16 foot ss160 with it and has held up great and zero leakage.Its cheaper than gluvit and does the same .https://fascoepoxies.com/

 

[Star01]

Thank you 82 rude. I’ll check into it.

 

[Star01]

[No message]

 

[Star01]

Hello group. Would anyone have a pic of the stern engine cover and seating. Or any ideas as my boat has nothing over the engine

 

[matt167]

The original engine cover would have been just a box that flips forward on a hinge. it had a curve on the very front of the top for aesthetics. The seats that were back there, were about the most basic thing you could call a jump seat. Aluminum frame, plywood seat, some padding and then good old pee yellow Starcraft vinyl.. I think I still have one seat from my dads old boat in storage somewhere. We had removed them for fishing.

 

[Star01]

Thanks Matt167. Funny you say that. There are two aluminum frames set with old rotted plywood in boat. Previous fella put new floor in and thin carpet but very soft where he ran seams 4’ apart. And its standard plywood. He used 3/4 plywood painted gray everywhere. All rippled up. Tearing it all out. Not sure what to replace with. Floor 5/8 marine I think. Walls and cuddly walls a veneer on both sides clear sealed. Not sure yet. I’m going to post pics while I tear it out and rebuild. I do like the looks and size of this boat though. I’ll keep looking around for more ideas.