Anyone own a big hardtop Chief?

[ShoestringMariner]

There’s a really cool retro hardtop Chieftain for sale near me. I really like the open feeling of the cabin. This looks like a great fishing/weekending machine. The price is too rich for my pocket at the moment. I think I’d prefer one of these over an Islander. It even has a fridge. a full camper top extension would really finish this nicely.

Does or has anyone here ever owned one?
Would the extra length and weight of the hardtop make this one ride better in crappy weather, or would it be a sail? I’m reading that the glass boats handle the rough weather better.

 

[matt167]

That one has an odd layout. the fridge is just a cooler if it's factory.. My dad put a hard top on a 21' chief. It was fine. Gotta have sea legs in rough weather

 

[Moserkr]

I really like that layout for a cabin cruiser... would be a great overnight fishing machine. Looks very original to me or was redone in the 70’s. I cant help with your questions except heavier boats handle weather better. But I appreciate seeing this boat with such a cool layout like that.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

I really like that layout for a cabin cruiser... would be a great overnight fishing machine. Looks very original to me or was redone in the 70’s. I cant help with your questions except heavier boats handle weather better. But I appreciate seeing this boat with such a cool layout like that.

I really like it also. With a full camper top on the back section, you could overnight comfortably. The thing I like about it is the openness of it. It looks like it feet’s bigger instead of “just this much” in either the cabin or deck area. The hardtop allows shelter from midday sun yet open area at the stern for full sun or for fighting fish.
to me this is a Great Lakes trout and salmon boat with a little extra.

I don’t know if I’d gut this one to make it even better, it’s such a cool retro survivor.

 

[Michigan Lakes]

I feel like a boat that size with that much space dedicated to relaxing/comfort (sleeping/lounge area, eat-in booth, etc) is really lacking w/o a head of some sort. That being said, it is a super-cool retro piece.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

I feel like a boat that size with that much space dedicated to relaxing/comfort (sleeping/lounge area, eat-in booth, etc) is really lacking w/o a head of some sort. That being said, it is a super-cool retro piece.

I wonder if there’s enough sit up room at the centre of the v bunk to put a small cassette toilet underneath.

 

[Watermann]

I wonder if there’s enough sit up room at the centre of the v bunk to put a small cassette toilet underneath.

In my little Chief cabin I found room to make a porta-potty work and look good as well.

 

[mattsteg]

I really like that layout for a cabin cruiser...

That's what you get with "express" cruisers, more or less.

 

[mattsteg]

Btw a brochure featuring that boat

Starcraft Cruisers for 1974

www.gjenvick.com

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Btw a brochure featuring that boat

Starcraft Cruisers for 1974

www.gjenvick.com

How cool is that???
There it is!
I wish I had the cake for this one

 

[matt167]

I grew up on the yellow 21' Mark IV. That was my dads fishing boat of choice for many years. Some of the original interior remained for a while, and actually my dad bought it as a total wreck, where a tree fell on the cabin.. He jacked up the cabin and carefully worked the trim, to the point that if you didn't know where to look, you would never know it was totaled