1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Mike, it all looks great. Decals, Tube Bends, all of it. Nice work!!!

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Thanks Mike. Keep your head down over there. We lived in Indy for a year and once my wife heard the tornado warning sirens at night she was ready to move back to Maine, so was I. Be safe dood.

 

[boatnut74]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Looking great Micheal. Your going to have a brand new boat when your done, at a fraction of the cost!

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Thanks BN. But I'm really starting to wonder exactly what that fraction will really be. I had to upgrade my box of recipts a couple times. Now I'm using a shoe box and thats alrerady getting pretty full.

Speaking of boxes...Here are some pics of the seat boxes. The seats will hinge forward. The battery compartment will just have a slide on cover and the other part will also be hinged. Full access to every cubic inch of space. Everything has 1 coat of epoxy. Upgraded my seats too. Cabellas came out with a new cushier type for $75 each so I returend the others last weekend and got the new ones. Pics of those later.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

She is coming together Michael, cool!

 

[boatnut74]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Those look great.

 

[North Beach]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Michael, just cruised thru this thread and I have to say Nice Job Bud! Now all you need is a nice data plate

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Hey NB thanks for stopping by. I'm VERY glad to hear you still have the liquid limo. It just wouldn't be right to see it in someone elses back yard.

Made and installed mounting clips last night. As soon as this crap weather breaks there going in along with the seats. Eyeing the splash well and engine next.

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Great job Mike, that is going to be one awsome boat when your done.
Glen

 

[adamjr]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Love the progress. Glad to see you are able to find the time to work on her. Looking great.

 

[craigweaver]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Mike, your attention to detail is awesome! I only aspire to build mine as nice as yours.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

You guys are too much, but thanks. I'm already seeing things I shoulda coulda done differently but that's the way it goes, right? Still happy with it so far.
This is taking almost all my free time, ask my wife. Last night I was told "your cooking tonight". Still managed to mount the seat boxes and one seat. She will get a nice night out soon for putting up with me.

The hatch leaks around the seam. Looks like it will get some 5200 all around when it finally dries out around here. Crap weather all week.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

She will get a nice night out soon for putting up with me.

Good move man, good move

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Cleand up the garage this weekend. Stuffing parts on this boat is addictive. Splashwell, hand rails, seats, door, cleats ect are all on. Moved the motor back in the garage to prep for putting her on the boat this week. This is the fun part!

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

More pics to keep the mob at bay.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Looks great. Really like those seats.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Man Michael, she is really coming together. Getting closer

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

That is one real nice looking boat Micheal, great job.
Glen

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

B - Beautiful

O - Outstanding

A - Astonishing

T - Tremendous

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Thanks for chiming in gents. Aside from hanging the motor not much will appear different from the outside.

After toying around with the idea for a long time I've decided to bypass the VRO on the 90 rude. One of the reasons is space for the tank under the modified splash well. Now it will chew up almost half of whats there with all the hose etc. I'd rather mix and not worry about it. I'll be scanning the proper forums starting right now.

The original splash date is this July 4. It's looking pretty good so far. There are only a couple small details that could screw that up.