1980 Holiday 181

[Troubled1]

My pneumatic rivet gun came on Sunday and I now have the floor boards in permanently.
I am still out on whether to use a pull or a finger hole for the hatch but that’s really just being a little picky. This evening I’ll replace the broken ignition switch, cut a new piece of plywood for the front of the engine compartment and get the seats temporarily in place to free up garage space.

Once I decide on flooring I’ll figure out what I need and hopefully have it done before the snow flies. both side windows were smashed when the lean to the previous owner had collapsed onto the boat. The angled part of both sides are quite bent and I’m not sure if I’ll be able to find replacements without having to purchase a complete used windshield assembly. The bent pieces will be taken off this week and I’ll try to straighten them in the hydraulic press. If all goes well, I have some Lexan I can cut and use instead of tempered glass.
Does anyone know why when posting pictures they automatically rotate 90°?

 

[Troubled1]

A Starcraft Chieftain 22’ came up for sale locally as a project boat. Has the 165hp OMC. The outdrive is off but it is there. Also comes with a trailer. He’s asking $1500. Also locally an 18SS with 140hp OMC asking $2000. Already down from $2500. I’m definitely watching the Chieftain

 

[Troubled1]

Have the fuel tank and battery hold down back in place. Tomorrow I’ll clean the bilge out really good and install the new panel in front of the engine. Tonight I’m removing the carpet from the seat bases, reattaching a couple of loose corner braces then will sand and seal them with this marine paint a got for free. It’s really strong smelling and dries rock hard.
I’m going to temporarily install the interior and hopefully next week I can take it for a little shake down run out on Lake Superior. If all goes well, I’ll order the flooring, build a subwoofer enclosure for up under the bow, wire in the amplifiers, install the battery cut off switch then get to work on the two bent side window frames.

 

[Troubled1]

I messaged the guy with the Chieftain to see if he’s interested in a trade for a motorcycle. He said he had someone coming to look at it but is definitely interested. Damn this is a slippery slope.

 

[Troubled1]

This is the boat. Listed as a 1980 but I doubt it because there is no through prop exhaust. I’m thinking 1970. Can anyone confirm?

 

[Watermann]

Yeah OMC had many faults in their designs and no through the hub exhaust was one of them. Not an 1980, the Chief was discontinued and the Islander became the only cabin tinny.

 

[Troubled1]

Yeah OMC had many faults in their designs and no through the hub exhaust was one of them. Not an 1980, the Chief was discontinued and the Islander became the only cabin tinny.

Do you know which years the Chieftain was produced? I’ve been searching around the net but it always comes up with the islander on my searches.

 

[Troubled1]

I have the seats and engine cover in place for the time being. I’m now at the point where I want to try it out before moving onto putting flooring in. My bilge pump spins but for some reason doesn’t pump water out so I’ll be looking into either repair or replacing it.



I’m hoping to have the boat water ready before the start of next season but a few family obligations have changed my amount of free time in the last little while.
I am however making a little bit of time to go and look at the 22’ chieftain. The owner is interested in a possible trade

 

[SHSU]

My bilge pump spins but for some reason doesn’t pump water out so I’ll be looking into either repair or replacing it.

Is it hydro locked?

I’m hoping to have the boat water ready before the start of next season but a few family obligations have changed my amount of free time in the last little while.

That if life, but at least you have a goal in mind

SHSU

 

[Troubled1]

Is it hydro locked?


That if life, but at least you have a goal in mind

SHSU

The pump sits in some type of base. The pump was laying off to the side and wouldn’t turn. I spun the impeller and freed it up. Maybe I just didn’t get it into the base properly. Not much room under the engine to work
I’m ready to test the boat but would definitely like a working bilge pump. There’s a couple other things to check but I’m pretty sure it’ll be good to go.

 

[Troubled1]

I’m going to look at the 22’ Chieftain this evening. The fellow is asking $1500 for it but said he may trade for my motorcycle. I chatted with him last night and he told me that anyone that looked at it was expecting a turnkey boat. I let him know that I realized it’s a project (as stated in his ad) and that between myself (former custom woodworker/cabinet maker), my younger brother (certified welder) and my old brother (machinist), getting the boat seaworthy shouldn’t be much of an issue.
I’m going to ride the bike out to look at the boat and give him a chance to look the bike over. If the deal works out, I’ll pick up a new trailer wiring/light kit, wheel bearing grease and anything else I may need for a 1hr + ride home. The boat will have to be stored outside as my garage is just way to small (can’t even fit my 18’ holiday inside). He sent some pictures and from what I can see, the original vinyl top extension is in the forward cabin. I’ll post some pictures later if we make a deal.

 

[BWR1953]

I’m going to look at the 22’ Chieftain this evening. The fellow is asking $1500 for it but said he may trade for my motorcycle. I chatted with him last night and he told me that anyone that looked at it was expecting a turnkey boat. I let him know that I realized it’s a project (as stated in his ad) and that between myself (former custom woodworker/cabinet maker), my younger brother (certified welder) and my old brother (machinist), getting the boat seaworthy shouldn’t be much of an issue.
I’m going to ride the bike out to look at the boat and give him a chance to look the bike over. If the deal works out, I’ll pick up a new trailer wiring/light kit, wheel bearing grease and anything else I may need for a 1hr + ride home. The boat will have to be stored outside as my garage is just way to small (can’t even fit my 18’ holiday inside). He sent some pictures and from what I can see, the original vinyl top extension is in the forward cabin. I’ll post some pictures later if we make a deal.

Regarding trailer lights... I picked up a cheap set of magnetic trailer lights from Harbor Freight for instances like yours. I didn't rely only on the magnets to keep them secure. I also used zip ties to hold them down tight. They worked out great!

 

[Troubled1]

Regarding trailer lights... I picked up a cheap set of magnetic trailer lights from Harbor Freight for instances like yours. I didn't rely only on the magnets to keep them secure. I also used zip ties to hold them down tight. They worked out great!

I’m considering going that route but after looking at the trailer, I would probably just wire a new set of lights on and it’s done as I would probably be keeping it for Lake Superior and the holiday for my place on an inland lake.

 

[Troubled1]

I went and looked at the Chieftain this evening. The 165hp motor looks ok and doesn’t show any signs of a cracked block or manifold. The hull is in really good shape as is the upper structure. The owner says the person he got it from had the outdrive gone through and was told it is good. The cabin has a small head under the front section of the seating area. It looks to be original as there is a waste water pump out port on the top of the bow. The floor felt surprisingly solid except for one spot directly on front of the engine. There are 2 fuel tanks, one behind each side panel. They are huge!! Anyone know the fuel capacity of a 75’ 22’ Chieftain express?? There aren’t any batteries so cranking the motor over couldn’t happen. We were able to put a small pry bar into the harmonic balancer and move it so not frozen.
The interior will definitely be the most work. The upholstery is dry rotted and the seat bases are toast. All the glass is intact but dirty like everything else. The helm, though dirty looks pretty good. The ignition switch is missing but an easy fix. This boat definitely has potential.
The trailer is a fully galvanized Gator with hydraulic surge brakes on a single axle with a 2400lb rating. It does however need new lights, 1fender and new tires which to me are non issues. I knew going there that it is a project.

Although he doesn’t have a motorcycle license he is interested in a trade and will let me know tomorrow if he wants to do it. I got the bike last year for $300. I have put about $80 worth of parts into it, repainted it using leftover paint from a job I did quite a few years ago. It’s a great running quick little bike but sometimes sacrifices have to be made.

I found this quite interesting. The panel beside the seat is actually the wall that flips up and locks into place to create the closed cabin. The original door is there but not very functional. The structure holding up the driver seat houses an icebox and there in nothing for seating on the port side.
I want to get this for my next year project.

 

[BWR1953]

I’m considering going that route but after looking at the trailer, I would probably just wire a new set of lights on and it’s done as I would probably be keeping it for Lake Superior and the holiday for my place on an inland lake.

Oh, sorry. I should have been more clear.

I got the magnetic lights as a temporary solution in order to get a trailer with non-functioning lights home without having to do a bunch of troubleshooting, rewiring and whatnot while on the road somewhere. Learned that the hard way after dark one time. In the rain.

Once home, I removed the lights and fixed the trailer at my leisure in the comfort of my shop.

Sounds like that big Chief could be a great project!

 

[Troubled1]

Oh, sorry. I should have been more clear.

I got the magnetic lights as a temporary solution in order to get a trailer with non-functioning lights home without having to do a bunch of troubleshooting, rewiring and whatnot while on the road somewhere. Learned that the hard way after dark one time. In the rain.

Once home, I removed the lights and fixed the trailer at my leisure in the comfort of my shop.

Sounds like that big Chief could be a great project!

I think I will pick up a set. A local hardware store sells them for $35. Not a big investment and can be stored easily in the box hatch of my truck.

 

[Troubled1]

The fellow with the Chieftain texted me today and wants to go ahead with the trade. I feel it to be a fair deal as I’m sure he could turn around and have the bike sold very quickly.


i paid $300, put mirrors, speedometer cable and repainted it with paint from a previous job years ago. Seeing as neither boat will fit in my garage, I’ll still have another motorcycle to work on over the winter. My wife is again happy with me getting the boat considering how good the holiday is coming along. She does however, and I agree completely want to get rid of the 16 1/2’ fiberglass boat we are currently using. Proceeds will go towards finishing the Holiday and any leftover $$ to the chieftain.

 

[Troubled1]

The Holiday is on hold for the next little while. My elderly mother has been in and out of the hospital quite a few times over the last couple of weeks. My wife had a fall and is having trouble getting around, I still have to find time to do wheel bearings on both our 4x4’s and I still need to replace the steering intermediate shaft on the plow truck and rebuilt the hydraulic cylinders on my plow. I really wish I could clone myself.

 

[BWR1953]

I think I will pick up a set. A local hardware store sells them for $35. Not a big investment and can be stored easily in the box hatch of my truck.

 

[BWR1953]

The Holiday is on hold for the next little while. My elderly mother has been in and out of the hospital quite a few times over the last couple of weeks. My wife had a fall and is having trouble getting around, I still have to find time to do wheel bearings on both our 4x4’s and I still need to replace the steering intermediate shaft on the plow truck and rebuilt the hydraulic cylinders on my plow. I really wish I could clone myself.

Gotta take care of health and family first. I can totally relate to that!