1974 24' Chieftan Express project

[jasoutside]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

Dood, that means the ENTIRE top of the boat. Cabin, bow, windshield, everything!

22' might be just within reason, 24' seems super tough, I'd never even consider it on my giant 26 footer.:nono:

 

[Watermann]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

Meh, it's just an extra box or 2 of rivets to put it all back and they will all be new and tight.

What ya afraid of, having a restore thread going for 3 or 4 years?

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

Meh, it's just an extra box or 2 of rivets to put it all back and they will all be new and tight.

What ya afraid of, having a restore thread going for 3 or 4 years?

Wow, it's not even lunch EST and theres the first kick in the junk of the day

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

Bah, I get what I deserve:facepalm:

Thank you may I have another

But, yah, there is no way in ham and cheese sandwich that top is coming off my boat, no way!

Now, chief here, maybe you can convince him, not me though:nono:

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

I am not taking the cap off if I can at all help it! I looked at those rivets JB thinking that it might be a separate piece. No luck. The piece I cut runs all the way to the inner side of the boat, and everything seems to be hooked together one way or another. I'm thinking that the simplest way would be to cut a other line across from just aft of the cleat, thus removing a small strip. Jason hit it dead on with a pro welder, the would make it look good with a little sanding down and some paint.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

everything seems to be hooked together one way or another.

Yah, that seems to be what I am seeing as well man.

 

[Watermann]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

You could also consider making the cuts needed and repair by backing on the underside with AL strip and fill seam with MT or JB and sand smooth.

Forgot to add the AL backer could be secured with 5200 and rivets.

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

Well, it was a sad day today... I sold the Aerocraft I sold her for what I had into her so it was not so bad. Plus...


now I have funds to rebuild and re power the Chief!

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

Well, it was a sad day today... I sold the Aerocraft I sold her for what I had into her so it was not so bad. Plus...


now I have funds to rebuild and re power the Chief!

I saw your ad for the AC. Sorry she left :blue:, but like you said the Chief has a new lease on life. :joyous:

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

Got a little bit of progress today. I cut the strip off to access the transom and finished removing all screws holding it in place. It felt so wrong to be cutting aluminum! It's also going to be difficult to pull it out as the top 6" plus is mulch. Nothing to screw a eye bolt into.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

Instead of pulling from the top, how about pushing from the bottom? Screw a couple of wood cleats on the lower part of the transom and use a 2X4 lever and fulcrum to push it up until you can get to some good wood.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

Just girth hitch through the outdrive hole and lift it out that way, no sweat.

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

This is why I'm on this forum.... I totally did not think of that simple approach Jason! I hooked it up and it was out in about 90 seconds. As soon as I set it down it cracked in half vertically though... super rotten throughout the entire board!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

Nice man, one super easy job behind ya buddy!

 

[Watermann]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

Pop goes the weasel!

See all of the white on the rotten wood? Be sure to take a look at the corresponding areas on the inside transom skin. That white is corrosion deposited there by the aluminum. It may need some attention in those areas.

 

[barato2]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

that smile says it all......nice milestone.

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project



She looks nice in the water doesn't she?















Unfortunately, this splash was only to float it off the old trailer and on to the new one. But I took a pause to snap the pic!

The center eye on the bow deck made it easy to lift for roller adjustments

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

Why yes she does. How about the real splash.

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

She looks awesome on the water!!

 

[classiccat]

Re: 1974 24' Chieftan Express project

vvv BFB!!! :madgrin: