1978 Chieftain

[jetstreakdave]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

nice tub, take some interior pics. I have one the same, Is is a MKIV?

 

[spegtoast]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

nice tub, take some interior pics. I have one the same, Is is a MKIV?

Looking at the other Cheifs on here I believe it is the MKIV because of the shape of the transom cap.

Hmm... Guess your right. All this time and I never posted interior pics. I am pretty proud of the new cabin cushion cover I had done too. I will post some pics next time I'm out at the boat.

 

[Stevens520]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Going through the 1976 brochure, it looks like there were 2 flavors of Cheiftains; the Mark IV and the Express. The Mark IV had the big cabin like our boats have:

With the Express having a much smaller cabin like this Express Hardtop:

From what I've seen, the transom caps look identical for both 25's

 

[Bwana Don]

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

Getting experience is always better than doing nothing. Keeping swinging away.

 

[spegtoast]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Progress is slow, and now to a crawl (if it wasnt already). Stay with me, I need you guys! Anywho.. I will be wadeing the muddy maumee for the walleye run. Wish me luck.

I did bye another sheet of plywood tho. A couple of rips, and I'll be back in business. I had some alternitaves on how to get around a redo, but wanted to get it right. The girl deserves my best efforts.

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Your talking fishing Speg and we still have multi feet of ice and winter is still here.

 

[spegtoast]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

I havent posted this question because I am afraid of the answer (dont want to have to tear the floor up too). I see you guys are all about putting floatation (noodles) in as much as possable. My boat has none? Any concerne. And why would SC put floatation in some boats and not all?

Two mainline questions, one being sort of obvious:
Are you adding floatation so the boat sits higher in the water? Or so it wont sink?

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Two mainline questions, one being sort of obvious:Are you adding floatation so the boat sits higher in the water? Or so it wont sink?

So it won't sink.

 

[spegtoast]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

So it won't sink.

Thanks JB. That was the obvious answer that I was looking for.

 

[spegtoast]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Well guys.. The boat is being evicted from my buddies barn:facepalm: It's new home will be in my very small backyard. I have some mixed emotions about it. One thing is that it will no longer be out of site out of mind. I think that is why I havent been too active in getten her water ready. The other is it will be right out my backdoor where I can work on it anytime, as opposed to driving an hour out hoping I brought the right tools. The main negative is it will no longer be covered. Also I will no longer have that nice beam on the barn that I was going to use to lift the transom, and motor. Don't know Don't know. Need some words of encouragment here guys:embarassed:

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Oh man, two hour round trip vs. two steps from your back door?

Yah man, way better!!!

Working outside can be a pain but having it right there will no doubt be a bunch easier to jump on it when the mood strikes ya.

Have ya got a stout tree in the yard there? That plus a chain fall are perfect for pulling engines:thumb:

 

[spegtoast]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Oh man, two hour round trip vs. two steps from your back door?

Yah man, way better!!!

Working outside can be a pain but having it right there will no doubt be a bunch easier to jump on it when the mood strikes ya.

Have ya got a stout tree in the yard there? That plus a chain fall are perfect for pulling engines:thumb:

Gottcha.. I just got a chain fall thru amazon. If I am careful I think I can sneak it under a tree, and find a good limb.

 

[Weep'n Willy]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Look at it this way. With the boat not being nearby the old saying "out of sight, out of mind" seems to apply. With it being moved to your yard it is a visual reminder everyday to study it and think of the options you want to do to it and even occasionally do some actual work on it. My Chief won't fit in my garage so it is now parked right in front of it and I have been getting with the program on it.

 

[ShowMeGuy]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Have you put that chain fall to use yet over there? :horn:

 

[spegtoast]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Have you put that chain fall to use yet over there? :horn:

Thanks for the wake-up :horn:

Nooo :facepalm: A few little misshaps has sent me back a couple of weeks. I have gone out to where it is stored and the trailer lights needed some attention. Now the barn door where it was stored will not open. excuses excuses. Sooo once I get her home, the plan is to unbolt the engine. Drag it up to work and use a forklift to pull the motor, and the transom.

Honestly I can't wait to get her home. It's just too easy to forget about it when it's stored an hour away.:sleeping:

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Access to a forklift motor puller is great!

 

[spegtoast]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Got the boat home this Saturday. She is home safe and sound. Now to get a roof tear off done on the house. Been raining everyday it seems here in NW Ohio. Back to the boat... The tow home I used a 1/2 ton pickup. Towed her home with ease. Towed nice, stopped nice. Ran about 2000RPM @ 55mph. I have to admit I was a little intimidated for being the first pull with her, but towed with no problems phew. After I got it home I built a hoop house for it that I learned from gardening to support the tarp. For about $35 bucks I think I have a nice little shelter to work in. The admiral was a little pissed while helping me, one, cuz she couldn't figure out what the hell I was trying to do, and 2 because we were having issues keeping it all together until I got it tied down and assembled. I bought her ice cream later so all is well now The assembly will help gain access to everything while working on it, and also keep a little heat in this weekend. Aside from being protected from the rain. I'm actually thinking about shrink wrapping just the assembly so I can reuse it year after year. I added a few pics.

 

[barato2]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

wow. nice start there. i love the boat. and it looks like prev owner even started reconstructing the dash?

 

[spegtoast]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Nah.. I have been working on it for a year now, but was recently brought home instead having it about an hour away. That was obviously not working for progress. Now that it is out my backdoor hopefully this will speed things up a bit.

Since I have had it I have got the trailer lights working, put new cushions in the cabin, fab the dash wrong, and lots of research here on the forum. It's been a great ride so far even tho the wife is grimmising a little.

My to do list is starting on refabing the dash. It doesn't fit right. Pull the motor, and outdrive. Cut the top plate over the transom and replace transom. This should make it water ready. Then I can work on cosmetics.

 

[rheagler]

Re: 1978 Chieftain

Congrats on getting the boat home. Looking forward to seeing more progress!