21 foot 1969 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

gusduluth

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Re: 21 foot 1969 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

Here are some of the interior pics when we got her.
 

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jasoutside

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Re: 21 foot 1969 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

I've used rivets to fill holes as well as JB Weld, both seem to do the job aok.
 

GA_Boater

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Re: 21 foot 1969 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

$500 starcraft with trailer we bought 6 months ago 21' someone put a new transome on it, we took a 90 mile boat, dirtbike, kayak fun trip up the head of jervis inlet bc (canada) rained the first day but was nice for the next 3 days the 70hp didnt quit get us goin as id hoped 15mph but ill fix that issue soon has anyone insulated the inside roof of ther star to prevent the drips if so what works :)View attachment 124232 View attachment 124233

Hi moto. Looks like you got the limited edition Mack truck special with all that cargo. LOL Welcome to the madness. You should start a new thread with your question about insulation. Response is better and it won't get buried in someone else's thread. And more pics to show her off. Have fun with her.
 

gusduluth

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Re: 21 foot 1969 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

Chief interior1.jpgChief interior2.jpgChief interior3.jpgChief interior4.jpg Here how she was on the inside. Pleas disregard the unfinished 18' Cresliner Fishawk in the backgound. I finished my half and got tired of waiting for my Dad to do his half so i started using it.
 

gusduluth

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Re: 21 foot 1969 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

Now I want a tinny Starcraft with a cuddy,...........................
I really havent seen too many up here there sure are a lot of fiberglass tubs for sale lately. Problem is most of the blocks have been frozen at least once. How far south are you?
 

Teamster

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Re: 21 foot 1969 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

I really havent seen too many up here there sure are a lot of fiberglass tubs for sale lately. Problem is most of the blocks have been frozen at least once. How far south are you?

Wisconsin,...

We really don't have anywhere to make a trip like yous did, But it sure look like fun,...
 

cjdeaton

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Aug 31, 2011
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Re: 21 foot 1969 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

Warning - Refurbishing a Starcraft is addictive! That's a nice one you have. Good luck and keep the pictures coming.
 

gusduluth

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Re: 21 foot 1969 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

Thanks for all of the input guys keep it coming. CJ i can see how it is addicting! The construction is very simple an easy to work on. John and I got one side of the rub rails off today had to use a grinder as the bolts were either bent or covered in marinetex. We were just going to just rip out the rubber inserts but at $78.00 for 50 feet we decided to try and keep them. Surprisingly, most of the rivets on the top of the gunwales were failing or had worn off. I managed to replace most of them after supper tonite. What do you all think about replacing the transom plywood? I rapped on it with a screwdriver and it seems very solid. I am hoping that we can complete this refit without pulling the engine. Ezmobee you are an artist! that cabin turned out awesome! We are thinking of covering the transom/engine compartment and a portion of the gunwales with aluminum diamond plate. That would take care of a good deal of our hole problem. Either that or we can install a rod holder in every hole an have 30 rods and five antennaes on board LOL! Another thought was to cover it all with varnished wood and skid tape. At this point we are undecided. The nice part is with five owners we have five people with different ideas and we all vote. I will post more pics soon. Please keep the input coming it really helps! Thanks all!
 
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gusduluth

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Sep 18, 2011
Messages
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Re: 21 foot 1969 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

$500 starcraft with trailer we bought 6 months ago 21' someone put a new transome on it, we took a 90 mile boat, dirtbike, kayak fun trip up the head of jervis inlet bc (canada) rained the first day but was nice for the next 3 days the 70hp didnt quit get us goin as id hoped 15mph but ill fix that issue soon has anyone insulated the inside roof of ther star to prevent the drips if so what works :)View attachment 124232 View attachment 124233
Wow Moto i cant even begin to say how fun that looks again. I did have a thought on your insulating question. If you sprayed primer in the cabin to make foam adhere more easily, they sell closed cell foam spray kits at commercial construction suppliers. They come with several different nozzles including one that spreads it out pretty far. I bet that would help camping for the noise and drips. Just a thought. I think they cover 27 Cubic feet not sure what that is metric about a square meter.
 

jasoutside

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Re: 21 foot 1969 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

What do you all think about replacing the transom plywood? I rapped on it with a screwdriver and it seems very solid. I am hoping that we can complete this refit without pulling the engine.

That looks to me like the original transom. At over 40 years in age, it's prolly about time, eh. I'd bet you'll find some rot around the edges at the bottom, top and around the outdrive cutout. I'd also bet your front engine mount is ready to be replaced too.

I know you don't want to pull that engine but now is the time to do it when you are tearing everything out anyway, ya know.

Have fun!
 

ezmobee

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Re: 21 foot 1969 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

Ezmobee you are an artist! that cabin turned out awesome!

Who WHOA don't give me credit for Bret's work! That's not my thread. He's in a WHOLE different league than me. He's done 3 pretty much Concours quality restores.
 

gusduluth

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Re: 21 foot 1969 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

3-14-2012 074.jpg3-14-2012 078.jpg3-14-2012 062.jpgWell now that its a bit nicer out I have been a little bit motivated. I spot welded the 100 or so screw holes that had accumulated over the past 40 years and swapped out the transom. I am now getting ready for primer, bondo and paint.
 

sprintst

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Re: 21 foot 1969 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

Nice work man. Can't even tell there were ever holes there. Definitely the way to go.
 

gusduluth

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Re: 21 foot 1969 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

Did a test run on the paint over the weekend. Liked one color but the other leaves a little to be desired. Paint shop here I come.
 

gusduluth

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Re: 21 foot 1969 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

got the paint done. decals are on and the floor is done.Boat Decal and Paint 008.jpgBoat Decal and Paint 001.jpgBoat Decal and Paint 005.jpg
 

boatnut74

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Re: 21 foot 1969 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

The paint looks awesome! The deck is pretty unique to :D
 

ezmobee

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Re: 21 foot 1969 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

I gotta know where you picked up that decal. So cool and pretty darn universal. Would jazz up just about any boat.
 

gusduluth

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Re: 21 foot 1969 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

Thanks guys! I got it on greatlakesskipper.com $75 bucks. It was under starcraft decals but it was off of a deck boat they have a few different colors in stock. Really easy to put on too. It really makes the paint job pop up in person.
 
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