Going to look at a Chieftain

[DucatiDave]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

Thanks guys,

I'll definately share my experience with everyone. I'll give more detail in a separate thread, but the boat seemed to fit that "middle-of-the-road" description you gave, jasoutside.

Motor started right up and sounded good. Floor and transom were solid from what I could see and feel. The interior needs some attention, but could be used for years as is. A few rivet issues from spending much of its life out on Lake Michigan, but they had been addressed with stainless screws and some sort of marine sealant. Came with what looks like a new bimini and rear cockpit cover. Has a storage cover, too. The seller is throwing in some fishing gear to get me started on big lake fishing and included the 4 downriggers that are attached to the boat. Has marine radio and fishfinder.

Paid $2,100 and think it was about right. Can use it for several years as is, but it needs enough work that I can justify doing a total rebuild whenever I feel the urge. My wife isn't convinced that I need another project (have two bikes in pieces in the garage right now already), but this might be close to my idea of a perfect boat. After all, life is just one big project, isn't it?

Will share my discoveries as I make them and detail the whole process as it unfolds.

Thanks in advance for all the great help I'm sure I'll find on this site.

Dave

 

[paparoof]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

WHY I OUGHTA....

Nah, just kidding. Have at it Dave. You beat me to it. No bad feelings on my side, so please enjoy your new boat guilt-free. I'm not ready to buy yet anyway, and I have no doubt that I won't have any trouble finding the right deal when I am ready.

Just get a new thread going and post up your pics!

 

[ts]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

Dave, I'd say you nailed it, and apparently you're now stuck with us...'cause once you're in the "club" there's only one way out...

Oh, and definitely check out all the links in this thread:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=385090

More knowledge, trial and error, and success than you can shake a stick at.

Now, back to paparoof. Whatcha got on tap right now? Any good leads?

For my part I'm taking everyone's advice (including my own) this week-end and scoring a motor...mechanic signed off on it today and looks good, lake test on Saturday, then it's all mine. All by the book!

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

This is not the first time this has happened. I hope it ends well for paparoof as well. I'm sure we'll find you one p.

DDave start up a thread and post some pictures. Hardtops are cool.

 

[paparoof]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

Okay since you asked...

If it wasn't dark out right now, I'd take a picture of my empty driveway and post it to the "show us your Starcrafts" thread just to get that Dave guy....



I've done enough craigslist searching in recent weeks. I'm done torturing myself until the check(s) show up. "up to" 3 weeks remaining.

Once the cash is in hand, unless I find some totally screamin deal, I think I want an 18 or 21 footer without the cabin. Here in the cities, I don't need the cabin and I want the extra outdoor (fishing) space. Once we buy the "up north" land, I'll have more than enough space available to add a second boat - may as well go for the 25-foot Chieftain at that point.

The waiting is killing me. I've actually thought about painting my 14' Sea Nymph just to kill time. Prolly a better idea to knock out as much of the "honey-do" list as possible to boost my SWMBO points before the new boat shows up.

Wanna see pictures of the new bench I just built for the deck? Nah, didn't think so. I shouldn't be reminding you guys of your own honey-do lists.

 

[paparoof]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

Hey are we allowed to hijack our own threads?

Today while crappie fishing in my little 14-foot, 6hp sea nymph, I did some thinking. We were on a small lake, but it was very windy and cold (it snowed here in MN last night) there were scattered rain clouds (and rain) passing by and periodically the wind would really kick up and start pushing us around. We were never in real danger by any means, but it was just enough to get me thinking about my intentions to take what is honestly an undersized boat out on Superior.

Is there a book somewhere called "How to Drive a 18-25-Foot Boat on Lake Superior and Not Die"? I've piloted a 56-foot houseboat through locks on the Mississippi River near Winona, MN a few times, but the water was slow and calm and the only tense moment was meeting and passing a barge coming around a tight bend in the river. I've been caught out on 300-500 acre lakes in bad weather in 14-16 foot boats where I'm less than five-ten minutes from shore, BUT.... I've never been caught in ugly weather on the great lakes in an 18-foot aluminum boat. I've spent at least a dozen hours total bobbing about in my kayak on Superior, touring sea caves, etc, but had okay weather every time. Even with calm weather, the experience was just enough to show me the difference in the size and power of waves and swells as compared to what I'm more used to on much, much smaller waters.

I wanna read some lengthy discussions of the science/art of riding big waves and dealing with wind in bad weather on the great lakes. Is there a how-to manual? Seems like it would be handy info to consider before I commit to my next boat.

Until we move there in 10-12 years, we'll probably only get the chance to drop into Superior 2-3 times a year, but even at that rate, eventually I'm gonna meet a storm and all I've ever heard was "she can get ugly really quick". I get the concept, but I want specifics. At least I've already got a VHF radio.

What can you point me to?

 

[Starcraft Enterprise]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

I don't have any specifics to give since I have not been in a storm on a lake as an adult. But as a 10 year old boy, I had an experience that burned a memory into my mind for the rest of my life.
My family and I was out for a day on the lake in our 18' 1968 Starcraft Starchief with 100 hp Evinrude. A sudden and violent storm rolled in catching everybody on the lake and us by suprise with rain and 30-40 mph winds. The sight of those giant swells crashing onto the front cabin windshield and rolling off the sides scared me to death. My mother and little sister stayed in the cabin but I stayed outside with my dad. I remember asking my dad, "are we was going to be ok?" He confidently replied that we would be fine. (The man cannot swim, at all.) He had the old outboard at 3/4 throttle as that aluminum bow plowed and smashed through wave after wave. Then I turned around and looked behind us. There was a line 5-8 boats deep of open bow boaters following us riding in our wake to keep from getting swamped! That was the moment I fell in love with Starcraft cabin boats. I was so proud of our green ugly duckling. It was not the sharpest or the fastest or the most expensive boat on the lake, but when the **** hit the fan, I seen who was leading everybody else back to the ramps.
Thats why 20 + years later, I bought the exact same model. With that cabin on the front and a big bilge pump, I know my family and I will get home safely. Thats me and my little sister in about 1980.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

Some of this may be extreme, and relates to a little larger boat, BUT has some good reading in it.

http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/heavy.htm

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

I suppose I'd contribute two quick thoughts for ya....

First, I'd do a careful consideration of the whole open v. closed bow rig for your purchase. Closed bow equals safety and flexibility on the largest fresh water lake in the world. Open bow will give you less options and less margin for error.

Second, I've spent the majority of my water time on the big lakes (Michigan, Huron, Superior). The majority of that time was in a kayak (some canoe too). I have learned to keep a very close eye on weather patterns. When I am mere inches off the water and miles from the nearest land, understanding what is going on around me is critical. Weather and wind become a life deal rather than a simple inconvenience. I have made a few bad choices over the years and have been downright scared out of my shorts. Learned a lot. These days, I am far more conservative (wife and offspring need me) and am quick to show lots of respect the power of wind and waves.

I suppose in short...

Wisdom comes from good judgment and good judgment often times comes from bad judgment.

Either way, be safe and have fun!!

 

[paparoof]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

Thanks for the replies fellas - I been reading LOTS today.

Just can't help mentioning that this one was $2300 two weeks ago:
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/boa/1731951213.html

I went and looked and the interior is pretty well shot. Hull looks okay, one big dock gouge - above the waterline, but would still need some effort to repair.

Checks still not here, so back to reading....

 

[paparoof]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

First, I'd do a careful consideration of the whole open v. closed bow rig for your purchase. Closed bow equals safety and flexibility on the largest fresh water lake in the world. Open bow will give you less options and less margin for error.

Jas, you mentioned open bow vs. closed bow a couple times. Can I get you to elaborate? I'm thinking it's simply the ability to take on water (waves), vs. having those waves roll off the bow. Is that it or is there more to it?

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

Jas, you mentioned open bow vs. closed bow a couple times. Can I get you to elaborate? I'm thinking it's simply the ability to take on water (waves), vs. having those waves roll off the bow. Is that it or is there more to it?

Yup, that would be the biggie! Big waves crashing over the bow can be a down right scary thing with an open bow! Not so much with everything closed up. A secondary would be the ability to duck for cover in the cabin if/when needed (bad weather, wind, rain, snow, hail storm, cold, tornado, typhoon, flying fish, flying bull, you know, stuff like that).

I think since Superior is on your frequent lakes to visit it might make some sense to at least keep a cabin in the mix. If you go open bow I think you'll love it and it will be surely functional for what you need but your days/time on the water will be a little more limited is all.

You know what you really need...

2 Starcrafts! (yah, I do too)

 

[Starcraft Enterprise]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

Jas, you mentioned open bow vs. closed bow a couple times. Can I get you to elaborate? I'm thinking it's simply the ability to take on water (waves), vs. having those waves roll off the bow. Is that it or is there more to it?

Example:
Remember the old nautical phrase "Batten down the hatches"?
What do you do when you got no hatches to batten?

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

I suppose when I hear ya talking about taking a big group of family members out on Lake Superior for some fishing all I keep thinking is Islander/Chieftain, 22 foot range, eh!

Dude, buy this!

http://toledo.craigslist.org/boa/1719243155.html

It would be a whole lot of work to bring her back from the brink but man what an awesome rig for big water fishing with the whole family!

I really want it big time!

 

[Starcraft Enterprise]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

3 1/2 hours away and very nice looking.
http://desmoines.craigslist.org/boa/1711956272.html

 

[Starcraft Enterprise]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

This is a Starcraft Islanders twin cousin. It is made by Starcraft.

http://limaohio.craigslist.org/boa/1729756851.html

18' Sylvan alum. cabin cruiser - $750 (Celina, Oh)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2010-05-07, 5:50PM EDT
Reply to: sale-zpwww-1729756851@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

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1984 18' Sylvan aluminum outboard cabin cruiser for sale. E-PHOTOS AVAILABLE. Includes road ready bassboat style single axle trailer with surge breaks, full enclosure, compass, cassette deck, auxillary motor mount, mooring cover, and more. No motor. Good with 70-100hp long shaft outboards. Rides like a much larger boat. Sleeps two.
respond to: lakerat3@verizon.net.


Location: Celina, Oh
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests



PostingID: 1729756851

I emailed him and asked for the pictures.

This is the info he sent me with the pics.
"Hello! The boat is a 1984 18' Sylvan cabin cruiser, laid out like the old wooden ones, but aluminum. They hull does not leak. It has full enclosure (top, side, and aft curtains) as well as a heavy duty mooring cover. Included are a great compass, cassette deck and other accessories. It has a big aluminum gas tank and a 750 gph bildge pump. There is a good adjustable auxillary motor mount rated for ten hp. I used a five on it which mooves the boat along nicely, steering with the main motor not running in neutral.

There is no motor. It works well with 70-100 hp long shaft outboards and is rated for 125. The Sylvan rides like a much larger boat and handles rough water very well. It has "good manners", as they say. The cabin sleeps two if you like eachother. There are a nice storage compartments under the floor and under the beds in the cabin. It is equiped to use two batteries and has an isolater to charge them evenly.

I have had this boat since 2001 and took it to Dale Hollow and lived on it for a week. I want to get a pontoon and need to trim the fleet a bit before I do.

On the down side, I havent used it in two years. It has been outside, but well covered, preventing it from filling up with water or snow. The transom will hold a 70 or 80, but bigger than that it should have a couple aluminum plates and a new piece of 1/2" plywood on the outside. I keep all the cushons indoors. There are a few minor bad spots torn up by raccoons several years ago. Generally, nothing wrong that a skilled hand, a little time, and a loving heart could not fix.

We are located in west-central Ohio, on Grand Lake. It is southwest of Lima, northwest of Dayton, about 15 miles from the Indiana border. If you have any questions, just ask. If you need to call: 419-586-7735 eves. My computer is at my business so I wont be back to it until Monday 5-10-10. thanks and enjoy boating! Chris Amato.

PS: the trialer is a large single axle bassboat style trailer with surge brakes. The hubs are had new bearings and buddies in 2001 and have had plenty of grease since then. the tires are fair and there is a good spare."

I talked to the guy on the phone. Real nice guy, is asking $750 but just wants it gone.

 

[ozenine]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

It is VERY hard to believe it is 18 footer, more like 22!!!!

 

[Starcraft Enterprise]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

It is VERY hard to believe it is 18 footer, more like 22!!!!

This is a 1984 22' Islander. It is obviously longer than the Sylvan. Maybe the Sylvan is really 19' like the Starcraft Islander of that year. My Starchief is 18' and this boat does look about 1' longer than mine.

 

[paparoof]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

Can't tell what model this is:
http://greenbay.craigslist.org/boa/1736108800.html

But dual outboards is seriously cool. Do two 50HP motors equate to a single 100HP motor or is it not that simple? Is this enough HP for a 21 foot boat?

It's near Green Bay - maybe I could trade in some Packer tickets to get the price down - that's right, I married a Lambeau season-ticket heiress.... jealous?

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

Hey, if you like dual OB's this is a pretty neat rig for nearly half the price...

http://nmi.craigslist.org/boa/1731603962.html