1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

[tomynoks]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

Scored some noodles at the 99 cent store!! Ok... so, I have flotation... I picked up a Blue Sea 6 circuit fuse both w/ neg bus as well.. It looks good and will keep the electric more condensed than running 2 buss bars... I hate electric!! Been running for parts and looking for noodles all day.. time to get to work!!

 

[tomynoks]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

Been working (and not working!!) on the boat most of the day. Wiring is in. Stuffed noodles everywhere under the deck. Getting ready to screw down one side of the deck now. I did ponder one thing today..... whether to wrap each deck piece in Nautolex separately and screw down with finish washers, or to screw the deck down solid (with Liquid Nails or PL) and then cover with Nautolex.. I liked the idea of being able to remove deck pieces easily, but I don't like the idea of having screws and finish washers sticking up everywhere. Any thoughts on this?? I have a removable hatch where the fuel lines run under the deck near the transom and a hinged hatch (will be) under the helm where wiring runs beneath the deck to the battery compartment, so unless something drastic happens, I should never have to tear the deck up.. Whatchyoo think??

 

[tomynoks]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

Ok...picture time!! Got the port-side deck screwed down and covered with Nautolex....
1st Pic: Deck screwed down
2nd: same.. I stapled and glued the pre-cut Nautolex to the edge of the of the plywood and held the rest up with clamps while I screwed the deck down. Then it was real easy to glue it down
3rd: Nautolex down and seat base in.
4th: Same.. I tacked 1x2's along the edge to keep the vinyl tight.
5th: Shows fuse block and negative buss.

 

[Triton II]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

Wow Tommy, you've done a great job - good to see a simple wiring solution so nicely done.

TII

 

[Luhrs28]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

That's exactly how I want to re-configure my wiring. That's going to make troubleshooting so much easier. Nice job!

 

[tomynoks]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

Thanks guys!...I hate electrical... whether 12v, 110...whatever.. I have a 6 gang switch panel w/ breakers as well and wanted the negative buss to add stuff later.. Might as well be a little over-built from the beginning.. Did do much today at all.. was at church and enjoyed a few meals w/ friends. I did manage to get that Nautolex stapled around the edges though. Man, it sure looks professional when the corners are crisp and tight!! The only issue I have is that the motor doesn't turn over when I turn the key..lol I think there's something not hooked uo.. need to check out the wiring diagram and see what it is. Have a great night..

 

[tomynoks]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

The ignition switch wiring was simple.. just needed to connect the starter wire.. I think I'll toggle that so the switch has to be on to start. I'll hide that switch somewhere, I'm not telling ya where! lol... Getting very excited about getting her out on the water again!!! I think that may actually happen over T-day weekend!!

 

[rcam97]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

The boat looks great. I think your doing a great job. I was wondering what height transom you have, 20" or 25"? Oh yea the nautolex looks awesome, I think I may use that in my holiday buildup.

 

[tomynoks]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

Hmm.. it measures 21" from the keel at the stern to where the motor rests... I guess 20" sure isn't 25". The Nautolex is really easy to work with as well..

 

[tomynoks]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

More pics:

1st: Nautolex going down!!
2nd: More noodles...ended up using 54 noodles..
3rd: Hatch cut-out for wiring access. Will be very easy to add accessories or change wiring
4th: another view of wiring hatch
5th: Taking a break!!!

Haven't worked on it much this week... Will cut and install side panels and the controls this weekend..

 

[sprintst]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

Awesome. Looking good man. It's nice to get to the clean part of the work.

Wipes away the memory of the demo.

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

That is one great boat...I would trust it anywhere...

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

I love it too.. was just looking at Huron Angler's boat in SHARK Nautolex.. looks great and that's what I'm using..

Thanks Tomynoks...I've been busy and just caught the shout out to our Nautolex deck Roslynn gets all the credit for that(and most things that look nice on our unfinished project).

Your splashwell project is interesting, most of us tin men have considered making better use of those cavernous splashwells at one point or another.

The shark is a good color and looks great on your rig.

Good luck on the project, keep up the good work!

 

[tomynoks]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

Thanks guys!! I got the strbrd side Nautolex wrapped around the edges tonight. A tip for those using pool noodles for floatation... if you have a heat gun (hair-dryer might work) hit the noddles with some heat and it seals the foam nice and smooth... they won't take on water at all. Too bad I had that idea AFTER my deck is sealed down!! Tomorrow I hope to get the center hatches cut out and covered w/ Nautolex and the side panels in. It's supposed to get up to 75 tomorrow!! Next weekend it's supposed to warm too.....looking forward to getting her in the water SOON!!

 

[tomynoks]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

I always laugh when I read my last few posts!! I am way to ambitious in my head!! Just got the battery hatch lids cut out tonight. I'm not even estimating what I may or may not get done this week!! It is getting close though.. need another hatch that will go over the fuel tank hoses, hang three swingin doors from the splashwell, get bilge pump secured, side panels cut and Nautolexed.... new controls installed...hmmm... ?? I'm sure there's a little more...haha I have 10 days off over Christmas so I am shooting for Sunday after Christmas to launch.. We shall see...

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

I am with ya. If I actually made a schedule/timeline I would probably be 4-6 months behind!

Really, for me, it's just doing the step(s) right in front of me and thinking just a few steps ahead. No firm schedule otherwise I'd be frustrated.

Christmas launch, that would be cool!

Up my way, wouldn't work so well though

 

[Triton II]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

Christmas launch, that would be cool!

Up my way, wouldn't work so well though

Be a Christmas skate up there methinks!

Great job so far Tom, looking forward to seeing the launch images/video. Good luck.

TII

 

[tomynoks]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

Didn't make the Christmas launch...lol.. People seem to want me doing other things a lot this time of year!! I did get the side panels cut, glued, varnished and sanded for Nautolex later today...after I sleep a bit.. Got hinge recesses cut and screwed onto the hatches running down the middle of the deck as well... It will be nice to see "Nothin' but Nautolex by evening tomorrow... Here's a few pics, both of the port-side panel. It actually got cold last night... down to 30...lol.. so I moved the work into the dining room to dry..

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

Yah, I have been trying hard not to make time lines - I'll know I'll just disappoint myself.

Oooooo, Bessey clamps. Very nice! My budget allows the kind that screw on the end of pipes, bummer.

 

[tomynoks]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

I borrowed them... They are great!! Yeah, you are right... I just get excited about getting this thing in the water.... and something always comes up!! Oh well!! It will be done when it's done!!