1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

[jasoutside]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Ah, I'd bet you'd be fine mounting as is with the fill/vent on the downhill (aft I imagine) side. That is what I am running with anyway

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Sorry, Yes aft. Its sits pretty darn flat on the trailer so I'll fill the whole tank if I top it off on land. If I fill on the water I'll have a big air pocket in the front. Another thing is the fuel gauge will show full for a long time but I'll be using all the fuel.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Yah, I hear ya. I'm just going to run with the way she sits on the ribs and take whatever she gives me, ya know.

That tank looks great in there by the way, perfect fit!

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Thanks man. I might just do the same.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Slow progress lately. That stripe has been a real burr in the back side. Finally got a good looking finish of hammer tone black on it. I should have shot this out with the Petit black when it was up side down but what the hey. It is what it is. Pulle the tape off the well cured white rusto and some of it pulled up, even with yellow frog tape. Guess it just pulled up where the prep wasn't so good. Fixing it today.

Here are some pics of the electrical conduit and transom cover.
haven't decided weather to paint the trim around the cuddy silver metalic, chrome or whire wheel an lacquer...Thoughts?

 

[rheagler]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Nice work Mike. Your boats coming out great. I think I would go with silver metallic paint on the trim. But that's just because I'm not a big fan of chrome and I think the wire wheel and lacquer would be harder to keep looking nice long term.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Bummer that paint detail keeps working ya buddy. Keep at it, show it who's boss!

haven't decided weather to paint the trim around the cuddy silver metalic, chrome or whire wheel an lacquer...Thoughts?

I'll chip in with this...

For the Jet I painted the inner gunwale trim mainly because I liked the way it looked and I didn't want too much bare alum showing up there. I do have a fear that it will see a lot of wear/tear and paint will eventually chip away. Time will tell on that.

For the Islander the inner gunwale trim is getting all cleaned up, going with the "brushed" look, and a coat of SharkHide.

 

[tomynoks]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

That tank is looking great! I installed a 20G aluminum in my boat and it's great. I was wondering though, could you use aluminum straps to hang your tank..instead of having to support it on the bottom? Mine has a tab on each side and just hangs, leaving about 1/2 of space at the bottom. Man I like your paint too! Mine is still very rough on the outside... It's cooling off here now so Maybe i'll get some work done this winter..

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Thanks for the support guys!
Went with the metallic on the trim and it looks great. I may do all the internal rub rail trim the same way and I may pop off the transom cover and hit that too. Rich - You tipped the scales for me and I'm glad you did. Thanks man!

I did show that stripe who's boss. Its done and pin striping on too...YeeeeHaaaa

Tom - I could have used straps but I have this thing in there so tight the stringers are bowed out. Its not going anywhere. I didn't forget about expansion. Since the bottom of the tank is bowed and stays partially bowed when filled there should be some "breathing" room. Its installed.

Lots of progress this weekend and wanted to get some good outside pics but it was dark out when I got the trim back on. I'll try to get home soon enough today to take some shots.

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Great job Mike, lots of attention to detail.
Glen

 

[tomynoks]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Yep, she's coming together real nice!!! You're motivating me to get to work on the asthetics of mine and get it painted this winter!!! Yours looks great MP!! Keep up the good work and pics!!

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Hey Mike, I got the package in the mail yesterday the hats look great.
Thanks Glen

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Glen - If I'm showing alot of attention to detail it's only because of watching YOUR work.

This part is getting me very motivated. Finally installing parts is addictive and I'm having a hard time doing anything else. Most of the deck is in and now I'm starting to work from the bow back. This will allow me to see how best to design the helm area with raised deck and seat boxes and below deck storage. I took some good shots of the hull last night and forgot the flash card at home.:facepalm: You'll have to wait another day for those. I'm pleased that the admiral really likes the black stripe afterall.

I used 1" foam between the ribs and I didn't use adhesive to hold them down because they fit snug under the stringer. Countersunk all the rivits and I'll fill them with epoxy. Tank is very secure.

Last night I put in the rest of the blue foam between the ribs all the way up into the foxhole with PL. The carpeting will cover most of it. Pics tomorrow.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Your work looks excellent as usual Michael!

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Great job Mike that tanks fits in there perfectly. Don't know if I missed it in a previous post or not but what is the white foam you are using?
Glen

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Looking real good!

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Here she is in her new party dress.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Michael, that black/white scheme is very sharp buddy

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

WOW that is all I can say, boy does that look great Micheal.
Glen

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Here is what the blue foam looks like in the bow.

Glen - My white foam is Poly Foam, PE Sheet 2.2 lbs/cuft. Free drops from our shipping department.