1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

More progess to report. I can smell the water!
All the wood working is done for now. I'll make some kinda console for the admiral later, right now I'm just sticking to the basics. Forward storage bulkhead, side panels and sliders are in place. All the wiring in the stern is also done.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Got something in the mail last Friday. Now I just have to get the serial# engraved. Thanks again Clay. I can't tell you how glad I am to have this!

Had a half dozen of these visit me the other day. They were born a couple weeks ago under the garage. Cute little buggers. By the time I got my camera the rest of them went back in the den. They should be taking off on thier own any time now.

Got the Chief and trailer registered yesterday. Now the mounting of the anchor light, fish finder and finish wiring the dash. I also picked up a pair of those LED driving lights made to mount to the grill of cars/trucks. They shine pretty bright and I'm thinking of mounting one on the roof aiming forward. It would be handy for night landings.

Here is another shot of the forward storage compartment.

Getting a bit closer and I have a wierd anxious feeling in the pit of my belly. Know what I mean?

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Looks real good Mike, and ya I know what ya mean, it feels kinda good.
Glen

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

I usually try to avoid playing with skunks

Boat is looking good man!

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

MP - Looks like you're only missing one thing. Water under the keel. Oh yeah, the butterflies.

 

[fstorm08]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Even the skunks want to help you finish her up for the splash! LOL!!!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Looks great, nice work MP. The cabin cushions look fantastic. The Admiral certainly deserves a thank you for that

Do the baby skunks not know how to spray yet? I'd want them out asap before mama teaches them self-defense.

Good luck with the motor, hope all is well with the new parts.

 

[TundraRocks]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Fantastic work on the rebuild. Looking forward to seeing that chief in action.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Thanks for swinging by guys. The skunk in the picture tried really hard to spray when it got stuck and confused behind some plywood but luckily only a piddle. By now they should be able to protect themselves and should disperse on their own anytime. But as of last night I'm not alone in the garage.

The wiring goes on slowly. Shooting for a splash next week. The to do list now includes shopping for things like compass, extinguisher, anchor line etc.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Shooting for a splash next week.

WOW!!!! We are close!!

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Thanks for swinging by guys. The skunk in the picture tried really hard to spray when it got stuck and confused behind some plywood but luckily only a piddle. By now they should be able to protect themselves and should disperse on their own anytime. But as of last night I'm not alone in the garage.

The wiring goes on slowly. Shooting for a splash next week. The to do list now includes shopping for things like compass, extinguisher, anchor line etc.

Understandable that wiring is going slowly. What with constantly looking over your shoulder wondering if the black and white cats have developed their defense system.

Wet next week - Good news, MP I'll hold the dock lines. If they're long enough.

 

[64osby]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Michael - Very nice, counting down the days.

You have the right paint scheme for your little friends, you could name the boat Pepe Le Pew

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

The skunks might think this is the BIG momma! LOL I think they flew the coop.

I have mixed feelings about this next statement....The restoration is officially COMPLETED!!!!!!! Got the last of the wiring done yesterday. Even have a LED spot light on the roof (which is really a lazer programmed to take out glassers) and FF installed. Splash is scheduled for tomorrow after work.
The biggest modifications are reducing the splashwell and adding a 23 gallon keel tank.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

More pics. I decided to reuse the push/pull switches. Really liking the dash layout.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Fantastic! Absolutely fantastic man!!! She looks just beautiful

Have an awesome float and I know we are all looking forward to seeing some on water footage! Well done Michael!

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Mike - This one was really nice to follow along from the start to end. Fantastic is all I can say. Waiting for water pics.

 

[ricohman]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Simply outstanding. I am constantly amazed by the talents I see in this forum.
Someday I am going to find a Chieftan or Islander of my own for a resto and this inpires me to do just that.
Make sure we get the splash pics!

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Thanks guys. This was a great experience for me and I couldn't have done it without the help of the Iboats forums and all the Knowledgeable people here like you. You guys and others here helped keep me motivated. Now that the resto portion of the show is done there are still going to be more changes along the way. A boat is never really done, right? Now I have the registration#s on and it just about killed me to plaster those on a pristine vessel.

It feels great to have a brand new boat!

Tonight will be spent stowing gear.
Here are some before shots. I should have splash pics and maybe a vid posted up soon.

 

[ricohman]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

The skunks might think this is the BIG momma! LOL I think they flew the coop.

I have mixed feelings about this next statement....The restoration is officially COMPLETED!!!!!!! Got the last of the wiring done yesterday. Even have a LED spot light on the roof (which is really a lazer programmed to take out glassers) and FF installed. Splash is scheduled for tomorrow after work.
The biggest modifications are reducing the splashwell and adding a 23 gallon keel tank.

I like your color choice!

 

[64osby]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Michael, Outstanding, Looks like a $40,000 boat.

Now that your little friends are gone you could name it Not Skunked, hoping that applies to fishing also.