1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Thanks for chiming in gents. This is the only place I'll use 3/4", hoping 1 will do the trick.

EZ that transom is eye candy to me right now...Thanks!

I just made a new contact that happens to have a bunch of OMC parts and manuals local to me. He scored these parts when the National Park Service dumped the OMCs and went to Mercs. I dropped this on one of the OMC threads too.

http://wickedgoodoutdoors.com/index_files/Page470.htm

 

[tomynoks]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

I think I did mine w/ 1 sheet 3/4" Arauco Michael and my transom is larger than original. I did piece the sides together though... I cut each piece with only one side riser... then biscuit joined the rest... hmm.. if that makes sense? anyway, I think one sheet will def work if you lay it out to make the most of it..

 

[tomynoks]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

I used 3/4" on the deck as well, might be over-kill...but 1/2 or 5/8 just doesn't seem like enough to me.. My deck is solid as a rock though!!

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Thanks Tom..I can picture how you pieced the transom together. Kinda on the fence about the 3/4 decking.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Squeezed in some boat work this weekend between other projects. The goal was to attack the transom but got carried away with the helm. Also pulled all the wiring out. The steering wheel popped out with one hit, I was ready for a battle as the nut was very corroded. I gave it a shot of PB and let it sit for a couple days. The transom is junk but I think it will come it out in 1 piece. I'll use the EZ method after removing the splash well. Been eyeballing fshngho's splash well and so far the plan is to do the same.

New 2 me used OMC $10 manual came in this weekend.

Spent most of the day Saturday dismantling my little sisters piano. It was one of those that no one wants to move. An upright from around 1920 that weighs as much as a water logged Chieftain.:facepalm: It was time for it to go and she wants me to build a dulcimer from the pieces. Winter project. Had to include a pic of what it looked like when I got it home. Culled all the good wood and pulled all hardware.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

And the real fun begins

That paint looks about ready to come off, quite a hodge-podge of colors there.

I like your truck

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Alllllll right, game on!!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Nice demo. Looks like you have some work today getting down to a good clean repaintable service. Gonna strip it chemically or mechanically (like snap-on gadget).

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

I like the idea of mechanical removal with that snap on stripper or another brand I found on ebay but hate to spend the money. Haven't decided but I have to be careful of chems as I have a dug well and its only 40' away.

I see marine tex in my future.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

And the real fun begins

That paint looks about ready to come off, quite a hodge-podge of colors there.

I like your truck

I suspect bottom paint. Thanks - 08 150 4x4 STX...Just a plane jane truck but I love it till I have to gas up.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

OK. I'm getting geard up to get something done on the old girl this weekend and my mind is going 100mph. This week has been spent on another aluminum project and painting the 90 rude cowl:facepalm: I have some areas that keep lifting up when I put a good coat on. I let dry, feather and recoat. One area, right on top mind you, keeps coming back but I may have it under control other wise I'd post up on another forum. Between one of my coats and touch up sandings I wiped her down with Xylol and wonder if thats the cause. Let it dry 24 hrs but some may have worked into the exposed primer. I had more of these spots but after a few light coats there gone.

Decided to eliminate the gunwale vents and have an idea on how to fill the big holes. How about 5200 a aluminum plate to the underside. As I do this I don't seat it flush and keep the 5200 away from the hole. This will leave a good shoulder all around for the marine tex to grab onto.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

How about 5200 a aluminum plate to the underside. As I do this I don't seat it flush and keep the 5200 away from the hole. This will leave a good shoulder all around for the marine tex to grab onto.

That sounds like a darn good idea to me!

Funny you are going that route...

I was originally totally bent on going that way but now have since changed my mind. I'm going to run two intake vents from those midships all the way back to the doghouse, and two exhaust at the stern.

Oh well:facepalm:

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

I hear you man. Totally talked up the usefulness of those in another thread but since I'm planing on a belly tank my concern is venting the bilge. Also, mine is an OB, you have an IO compartment to vent so it makes more sence for you to keep them. I'll open the side windows if 2 stroke fumes are too much while under way. Just DO NOT like the idea of water getting inside and I'm apt to walk the gunwales to the bow and can see myself tripping on them.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Finally spent some quality time with the tin GF this weekend. Ever find anything interesting in the boat during a complete tear down? These are my surprises; Empty zippererd purse, 12" galvanized spike and a spendy pair of LL Bean sunglasses. I digress. Pulled more crap out and now I'm in the market for a street sign:facepalm: Bad corrosion issue so its got to get cleaned and covered up. All the foam was soaked and the 2 layer floor came up in one piece also soaked. Threw the wood on the fire pit and foam is on it way to the energy recovery plant. There was no way I could use any of the floor as a template. Rain predicted through next Saturday but I'm hoping to get a few things done between the rain drops.
Transom came right out via the EZ method. I used a jigsaw with a small blade to cut the gunwale. The blade was just small enough to fit in the hole.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

No template for your deck and a transom that somebody used buckshot on - bummer and bummer.

Good news? Both totally fixable and you have er pretty well gutted out there, cool

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

At least the transom came out in sort of one piece. Its usable for a template. Here is a pic that shows all that foam and vinyl ready to take 1 last trip. I'm having serious thoughts about buying back my 69 Chief and scrapping this hull.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

I'm having serious thoughts about buying back my 69 Chief and scrapping this hull.

First part of that statement is great. Second part

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

I'm having serious thoughts about buying back my 69 Chief and scrapping this hull.

That's just throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Transom corrosion is nothing we haven't seen before. I wouldn't worry unless you find a bunch more when you clean out the hull.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

I knew I'd hear about that comment. I'm anxious to get her off the trailer bunks to get a good peek but the hull looks real good from the inside.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

I knew I'd hear about that comment. I'm anxious to get her off the trailer bunks to get a good peek but the hull looks real good from the inside.

Yah buddy, I had a hole to deal with too...

....you can just make it out in the photo there^^^^.

I am certain you can handle any corrosion issues man