1974 Chieftain 25 "Adventurer" Restoration

Drivewayboater2 · Nov 10, 2023

Wow… love the texture of the wood(s) contrast in colors and creativity. Pool ball and orange color on the gauges. Great work.

IslandExplorer · Nov 13, 2023

1975oday22 said:
its gonna look great im sure of it. just like the work you have done on it. its all great. .....

Thank you, I am really putting my heart into this old boat. Have wanted one of these truly unique Chieftain 25's forever it seems so it's been great. This baby was 100% going to be scrapped and turned into modern day disposable garbage but I have found great satisfaction in saving her from such an undignified, uneventful demise. She's got way too much class for that! She just needed some (serious lol) help getting back out there.

IslandExplorer · Nov 13, 2023

Drivewayboater2 said:
Wow… love the texture of the wood(s) contrast in colors and creativity. Pool ball and orange color on the gauges. Great work.

Thanks, she's certainly going to have a lot of contrast and character!

I didn't realize just how red the old console wood was until I sealed it with spar but I like it just the same. The boat was basically a total loss/blank slate to start with so I've definitely let my creativity with repurposed materials and design run a little wild with it.

IslandExplorer · Nov 13, 2023

302 has been winterized. No splash this year, will have to wait until spring.

IslandExplorer · Nov 13, 2023

1975oday22 · Nov 13, 2023

bummer. but at least you know she runs... and is ready to go back in.....

IslandExplorer · Nov 15, 2023

That lug on the top really wasn't the worst idea on the MC-1.

Paper clipping with pop at 6.5 billion = outdrive mouse nest circa 2005.

1975oday22 · Nov 15, 2023

mouse nest....:0 your impeller needs changing btw. lol just sayin..... hahaha are you gonna repaint the lower unit?

IslandExplorer · Nov 15, 2023

1975oday22 said:
mouse nest....:0 your impeller needs changing btw. lol just sayin..... hahaha are you gonna repaint the lower unit?

Yeah, the whole thing is going to be repainted since it will be in the salt. I've had the new impeller laying around quite a while but wasn't ever able to get this thing open bc of the anode bolt. Finally got that out today and the last bolt the anode was hiding. The impeller I think got melted when I ran it for short 20 sec bursts before pulling the engine bc it looks clean/recently melted if that makes sense. Had muffs on but that nest probably blocked it up.

IslandExplorer · Nov 15, 2023

IslandExplorer · Nov 16, 2023

1st coat of zinc chromate.

IslandExplorer · Nov 17, 2023

I have 3 words for your cringe.
Gloss Popsicle Orange
1st coat, pretty hideous.

But slowly the green stopped shining through.

IslandExplorer · Nov 17, 2023

Rest of MC-1 will most likely be just black. This is mainly for extra visibility.

IslandExplorer · Nov 17, 2023

Rest of outdrive cleanup resumed.

The old shift cable was a bastard to get out. Had to cut the cable to get a thin deep well socket on there. Didn't want to budge, thought for sure it was just going to sheer off. Luckily after rocking it back and forth a little I got it out of there.

Still need to remove the old bellows and verify the type I need (with or without flat spot).

1975oday22 · Nov 17, 2023

the orange really pops.... how many more coats? i think the rest in black will look great actually .... safety comes first. and that will be seen by alot not just you.....

IslandExplorer · Nov 17, 2023

1975oday22 said:
the orange really pops.... how many more coats? i think the rest in black will look great actually .... safety comes first. and that will be seen by alot not just you.....

Thanks, I'm really liking this color! Will make it real easy to see in the water and on the trailer. I think it will get another 5 or so light coats probably. Putting them on light bc this stuff really likes to run.