1976 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB - restomod

[Gibbles]

I need to get a group photo before i start selling off boats... lol

At a minimum I'll get the chief and the islander together and snap some pictures.


I'm not sure if i want 4 boats in my front yard at once.

 

[redneck joe]

Never been brave enough for three at once as I like to stay married.

 

[Gibbles]

Never been brave enough for three at once as I like to stay married.

by the 4th, things get a little rougher.

 

[redneck joe]

Canoe didn't count. She agreed.

 

[BWR1953]

Hi all. Just wanted to give a quick update.

Got that old Johnson sold and gone!

I've also made some progress on the 70 Merc over the last few days.

Got both carbs cleaned, installed new gaskets and reassembled both.
The water cooled fuel pump has been cleaned; new gaskets and diaphragm installed. Received the carb coupler today. Will install that when I put the carbs back on.

Went to my local Merc mechanic and picked up some fuel hose and the pump kit. Will be seeing them again soon for other stuff.

Pulled the lower unit off this evening. It was no problem at all... after we found and got the last screw nut removed! I already have a new impeller and will get to work on the water pump tomorrow.

I'm still waiting for more parts, but one order will be here tomorrow or the day office. The other (for a fuel filter) won't be here until next week, but I can temporarily cannibalize the one from the KF if I have to.

So, things are moving along. With luck, I hope to get the engine fired up in the next 2 or 3 days.

 

[BWR1953]

Got the water pump stuff removed this morning, then bought a new water pump kit from the local shop. Pricey!

I'll get it all installed tomorrow. Definitely needed though.

 

[BWR1953]

Got the new water pump rebuilt and installed this morning. Had to take time out to go buy another part (for the prop), which slowed me down a little. The new fuel filter arrived yesterday.

So! I'm ready to start putting things back together tomorrow.

 

[BWR1953]

Guys, it absolutely breaks my heart, but it's time for me to let my Chieftain project go. This boat has been my dream since 1997.

I was 62 when I acquired the boat and am 71 now. I just don't have the time, energy, health, help, funding and lifetime left to complete the project.

I've been through a lot during the last 10 years, nearly died a bunch of times but got a lot of stuff done in spite of it all.

My stepson had been helping me with the projects (of all types) but he graduates high school this month, turns 18 next month and will leave the nest shortly thereafter. He was a help for a long time, but not so much over the last 2 years, which slowed me down in some areas and brought me to a screeching halt in others. And I can't simply do it alone. My health won't cooperate.

All of my grand plans for this boat and other projects are now coming to an end. At this point in my life, I just need one reliable boat that I can use to go fishing. I'm working on that now and will post a thread on the topic.

Guys, I want to apologize again for not finishing this beautiful vessel.

 

[MNhunter1]

Absolutely no need for apologies BWR1953. There comes a point where we spend more time wrenching on these boats than we do enjoying them. It's all about priorities and living life in the manner of your choosing. Congrats to you for being able to recognize what is important to you at this point in your life. I treat these boat builds as a hobby, but I can't tell you the number of times I just wished it were already done and I'd rather be spending the time fishing with my kids. We don't call it an addiction for nothing

 

[redneck joe]

yup, but now someone else will finish it off.

 

[BWR1953]

Thanks guys. Your support is much appreciated.

As of last weekend, I acquired an excellent 150HP outboard (on a 4th boat, a bass boat) which will be installed on my test boat. A working engine on a good hull is all I really need. The test boat will become my only, and probably final boat, after I sell the Chief and KF. The bass boat is a junk donor and will be stripped and scrapped.

I'm thinking about the best approach on how to sell the Chief and would appreciate some feedback. A pile of aluminum parts with an unfinished hull and a pair of non-running 70HP Mercs is where I am now. Although one of those engines will be running soon. I've been working on it even though I haven't posted everything.

Getting the most bucks for everything is what I want to do. Doesn't everybody?

My neighbor friend said to just leave the Chief the way it is now because some folks want a blank slate. That's easiest for me. But, I can't help wondering if completing the hull repairs and making it watertight would be better. Even if there's no deck? Then again, that means more work for me to do and summer is here. It's ugly hot here nowadays.

Pair the Chief with the engines or sell those separately?

What do y'all think?

 

[Gibbles]

That sucks when you're so close, but I understand.
I tend to hold onto projects too long myself.

I want to say try selling the chief as is with the engine as an option.
see how that goes, avoid selling the engines alone at first.

 

[Moserkr]

Sorry to hear that news but its the right choice. Enjoy life on the water while you can!

Sell the Chieftain and motors together first, but leave it up to the buyer if he wants the motors too. Those will sell separate easier if someone just wants the hull.

 

[BWR1953]

That sucks when you're so close, but I understand.
I tend to hold onto projects too long myself.

I want to say try selling the chief as is with the engine as an option.
see how that goes, avoid selling the engines alone at first.

Sorry to hear that news but its the right choice. Enjoy life on the water while you can!

Sell the Chieftain and motors together first, but leave it up to the buyer if he wants the motors too. Those will sell separate easier if someone just wants the hull.

Thanks guys, I'll go ahead and offer the Chief with the engines first as you've suggested.

We did get it cleaned up and cleared out, then moved it out of the garage and into the backyard so that I have more garage space to do other work.

 

[BWR1953]

I did get the 70HP Merc running this afternoon. I was just a little worried at first because I cranked and cranked and it wouldn't start.

Then I remembered that I'd activated the kill switch. Duh! After I corrected that little oversight, the engine fired right up. It had 145PSI on all three cylinders. Sweet!

As of tonight, I'll be building the sale ad for the Chief.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Guys, it absolutely breaks my heart, but it's time for me to let my Chieftain project go. This boat has been my dream since 1997.

I was 62 when I acquired the boat and am 71 now. I just don't have the time, energy, health, help, funding and lifetime left to complete the project.

I've been through a lot during the last 10 years, nearly died a bunch of times but got a lot of stuff done in spite of it all.

My stepson had been helping me with the projects (of all types) but he graduates high school this month, turns 18 next month and will leave the nest shortly thereafter. He was a help for a long time, but not so much over the last 2 years, which slowed me down in some areas and brought me to a screeching halt in others. And I can't simply do it alone. My health won't cooperate.

All of my grand plans for this boat and other projects are now coming to an end. At this point in my life, I just need one reliable boat that I can use to go fishing. I'm working on that now and will post a thread on the topic.

Guys, I want to apologize again for not finishing this beautiful vessel.

No need to apologize! I’m struggling to finish a supersport due to health challenges..you sound like you’re making the right decision. Get out there and enjoy with a boat that gets it done! More fishing and making memories. And someone will love to finish what you started

 

[redneck joe]

You going to be able to water test the 70?

 

[BWR1953]

You going to be able to water test the 70?

Only if I prep the test boat by filling the transom holes from the old Johnson, then drilling new holes for the 70. The mounting bolt patterns on those two engines are not BIA standard. And then I'd have to mount and adjust the throttle for the 70, followed by dismounting it and finally replacing it with the throttle for the 150. A lot of work. With no help.

And then I'd have to fill the transom holes from the 70 in order to get the transom ready for the 150. Swiss cheese transom. A lot of work that I simply don't want to mess with.

This morning I wrote up the sale ad and am currently sorting through pictures for it as well.

Seriously, the Chief could be finished in a month or so by a truly capable builder. I am not that, nor will I ever be.

 

[BWR1953]

No need to apologize! I’m struggling to finish a supersport due to health challenges..you sound like you’re making the right decision. Get out there and enjoy with a boat that gets it done! More fishing and making memories. And someone will love to finish what you started

Thank you. I'm slowly getting there.

 

[redneck joe]

That 70 would be perfect on my 18...