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  1. Fat Helen

    California Chieftain Repair and Resto 1974 18'

    Finally got her splashed! Backing away from the dock and easing the throttle forward was an awesome feeling and accomplishment today. The Chief runs great with the 90hp. Had 4 people in the boat and she readily jumps on plane and goes as fast as would ever be needed. Few more small things...
  2. Fat Helen

    California Chieftain Repair and Resto 1974 18'

    Closing in on the end. Biggest hurdle now is getting windshield fit and remounting everything including electronics. Also have to pony up some more money for new battery. Had to install new to me trim unit on the 90hp yamaha but the motor is ready to go on too. Since last post: Shortened...
  3. Fat Helen

    California Chieftain Repair and Resto 1974 18'

  4. Fat Helen

    California Chieftain Repair and Resto 1974 18'

  5. Fat Helen

    California Chieftain Repair and Resto 1974 18'

    Thanks for the comments! Making progress everyday even if it's not much. Getting all the paint off around the rivets inside has been a chore. Pretty sure there was an epoxy primer layed down on the inside that the stripper doesn't readily penetrate. Scrubbing away with pressure washer and...
  6. Fat Helen

    California Chieftain Repair and Resto 1974 18'

    There was some pitting in mine after stripping off the numerous coats of paint. I put a thin coat of bondo over them then sanded down flush. Smooth enough for what I needed. Had a great day stripping paint with some nice weather. Found a good groove using stripper then power washer. Took a...
  7. Fat Helen

    California Chieftain Repair and Resto 1974 18'

    Strippin paint, drilling out rivets, and getting prepped for some reconstruction. Ended up removing 2 supports in the starboard bow responsible for holding the bow in shape. Compared to the port side, starboard was flexed inboard about an inch plus. Gotta believe this was a result from...
  8. Fat Helen

    California Chieftain Repair and Resto 1974 18'

    Minimal progress on the boat itself but I did get my 90 hp yamaha put back together. It had been apart for a few months while I replaced gaskets and seals. I had a fuel leak coming from the bottom of the crankcase which required changing all the oil seals that go around the drive shaft. The...
  9. Fat Helen

    California Chieftain Repair and Resto 1974 18'

    Spirits are high today! With the cool weather hindering paint stripping I got to work on the transom. A little sanding to get a nice fit and in she went. First thing that has actually gone back on the boat since the start of this project. Time to seal it up and put it in for good. -Dylan
  10. Fat Helen

    California Chieftain Repair and Resto 1974 18'

    Spent the weekend removing windscreens and stripping paint. Above the gunwales is almost bare and the inside is coming along. Hoping for a sunny week soon so I can make good progress on the sides. Slowly but surely the paint is falling off. Looking forward to putting things back together...
  11. Fat Helen

    California Chieftain Repair and Resto 1974 18'

    Had some help and made good progress over the long weekend. Got most of the inside and gunwales stripped down to bare aluminum during the one warm day we had. Once it cooled down I finally got to do something constructive rather than destructive. Transom pieces have been laminated together and...
  12. Fat Helen

    California Chieftain Repair and Resto 1974 18'

    Thanks for the advice on the paint removal. Didn't quite get to that this weekend but had plenty of things to keep me busy. Got the splashwell and transom wood removed along with most of the fixings on the gunwales. Spent a lot of time on my back in the bottom of the boat and boy was I glad I...
  13. Fat Helen

    California Chieftain Repair and Resto 1974 18'

    Good evening folks. Ive been a long time lurker and reader of this forum and finally have something of my own to share. I picked up this beauty back in early July and have at last decided to delve into getting her seaworthy again! Must admit she had her first test run in August after I...
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