1978 Chieftain

[Stevens520]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Haven't been able to mess with mine yet; still waiting on the Admiral to release funds.:blue: But I don't think I'm brave enough to hack into the metal like that. I'm ready to start undoing the many nuts & bolts down the gunnel, and lift part of the cap if necessary.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

The transom was fabbed & welded in such a way that StevensSmith812: Chieftain 1972 MK4

Thought he had to remove some of the transom cap from gunnel to gunnel to get his transom out.. Right? That's the pix from his late update yesterday...

 

[spegtoast]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Foot in mouth again. Yes StevensSmith812

Trying to make sense of the pic... Cant figure the slash cut back into the gunnel. Looks like there may be a bunch of welding to get her back together? We may not even have the same profile gunnels, thats why I posted mine and his transom cap pics next to each other to compare. Not sure. In case anyone is wondering... I didnt want to gum up Steve's thread in the middle of his build so I posted here on mine.

Maybe it willl mke more sense when I break out the matabo and start buzzing on mine.

 

[Stevens520]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Yep, can get confusing with two stevens's rebuilding the same type of boat.:semi-twins: Looks like he cut along the corner edge, then from the outside corner top to the inside corner top if that makes any sense. Looks like identical profiles to my eyes.

 

[Sc25175]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Guys, the way I did it was to drill out four pop rivets on either side and cut four inches of already welded seams on each side and then the entire back section just lifts out. I have a buddy who will reweld them seam when I'm ready. The benefit is a very open back end as I put everything back together. I say do whatever works best for you.

The beauty of this site is we all get to see what the other guy is doing.

 

[Stevens520]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Thanks for the tip Steve; wasn't aware that part was welded together already. Sounds like that would be the easiest way to do it then; now just have to find a welder.

 

[spegtoast]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Exterior plywood, Aurauco, MDO encased in epoxy, and covered by Spar, Wood grain formica laminate, paint...Or covered by real wood veneer, encased in epoxy & protected w/ spar...

Fabbed & left exposed 1/4" aluminum

I bought the Aurouco and fabbed it up. Considering staining the wood for color then epoxy and spar.

I found the spar varnish on Amazon. Couple of different brands to choose from.

Trying to research the epoxy with no luck.

 

[spegtoast]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Yep, can get confusing with two stevens's rebuilding the same type of boat.:semi-twins: Looks like he cut along the corner edge, then from the outside corner top to the inside corner top if that makes any sense. Looks like identical profiles to my eyes.

Yep makes sense. Thanks for the confirmation. I thought thats what I was looking at.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Spar should be avail @HD, Lowe's, or others. It should not be hard to find. Spar is available In Varnish, urethane & polyurethane.

Use US Composite for epoxy, might find it elsewhere, but w shipping most will be same in the end. Use a medium setting epoxy, 1 for everything. Fast maybe too fast and slow maybe too slow

 

[spegtoast]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Thanks JB..

Ok, @ US composites they give me three choices for epoxy... Fast, Thick, and Thin. Didn't see a medium unless maybe I am looking up the wrong product.

Also I plan to apply and wait to dry in a garage.. During application I'll have the salamander goin. Ambient temp 50F to 60F. When I'm finished and waiting to cure could go down to 10F... Any concerns? Maybe I should go to the Fast dry?

Thanks in advance

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Epoxy :?Epoxy Resins and Hardeners

635 Thin Epoxy - 3:1 Medium Hardener

That's the stuff^^^:thumb:

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Epoxy :*Epoxy Resins and Hardeners

635 Thin Epoxy - 3:1 Medium Hardener.... That's the stuff^^^:thumb:

What he said :shame: :facepalm:

 

[Sc25175]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

When I'm finished and waiting to cure could go down to 10F... Any concerns?

I have built a number of wooden/epoxy boats and you really should keep the temp up even during curing. I buy all my epoxy from US composites, good outfit. They should have documentation that explains the temp requirement.

 

[spegtoast]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Ah.. You guys make it easy on me Thanks

 

[spegtoast]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Orderd 2 tubes of 5200 (3M-5200) and a 1/2 gal the epoxy / hardener kit (EPOX-635313). I'm sure it wont go to waist because I am finishing the dash, some other wood work and the big ol' transom.

After using your link ja, I found it was a pretty easy website to use. Awhile back I googled it and it sent me to a .net address. -confusing:facepalm:

Thanks again guys:high5:

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Awhile back I googled it and it sent me to a .net address. -confusing:facepalm:

Someone else posted the Us Comp site in the last few weeks & it linked to a handyman/mechanics or thereabouts .net site too. But they used the site, got confirmation from US Comp, the stuff they ordered all arrived & was shipped from US Comps. So......... They didn't know why it did either.........

 

[spegtoast]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

New dash / Arouco ply / Used a couple of strips of wood for a nailer and fastened to the wall of my buddies garage. Now I can stand in front of it and make vroom vroom noises. Dont laugh! I learned that from you guys! lol. 6 gauge and 20" steering wheel layout... Gauges look a little tight. I might move them a little.

 

[spegtoast]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Hey Speg, hard to tell from the photo, is the knob moled onto the shifter or threaded? If it's threaded Auto parts places have a tone of different ones. Pilot Automotive/Black with white embedded 8 ball manual shift knob (PM-2272) | Shift Knobs | AutoZone.com

6 bucks from Amazon free shipping.. Thanks for the idea. In case anyone is curious a quick look with a tape measure gave me 3/8" diameter hole. Though, the ball come in a kit with 5 different sizes up to 5/8"

 

[ShowMeGuy]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Keep it up... I'm slacking on my project..

 

[spegtoast]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Will do . Just relized after a trial fit that my pretty little dashboard (right side) doesnt fit the contour of the boat sides. grr, supposed to kick out on an angle. I think I'm screwed. Do over:facepalm:

guess it would be better slacking then going backwards lol