Going to look at a Chieftain

[paparoof]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

Yeah I posted that one a while back too - very cool. If it's still available in 2 weeks when I'm swimmin' in cash, I may call the guy.

I knew there was a reason I skipped that week vacation in AZ this winter - I might need it to go get a boat!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

Yeah I posted that one a while back too - very cool. If it's still available in 2 weeks when I'm swimmin' in cash, I may call the guy.

I knew there was a reason I skipped that week vacation in AZ this winter - I might need it to go get a boat!

Well that has been for sale for a while. He started way higher too. If he still has it in two weeks he'll likely let it go for a chunk less. I think it's a really cool set up!

 

[ts]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

Both look pretty cool. I'm thinking the cheaper one has a better trailer, and the 21' must be early '70's or '60's? The rub strip on the side should be a clue if you check the thread with the Starcraft brochures.

 

[paparoof]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

is this a 26 foot islander?

http://nmi.craigslist.org/boa/1736724215.html

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

is this a 26 foot islander?

http://nmi.craigslist.org/boa/1736724215.html

Yup, she is a 26er! I have spoken to that fella before. I believe that there is a 470 in there if memory serves me.

Just replace the "rabbit" with 470...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcxKIJTb3Hg

Run Away!

 

[Huron Angler]

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?

That sure looks like a 21' Holiday to me. The thing with dual OBs is this...bad for fuel economy, only truly redundant if they have their own fuel lines and tanks. Otherwise one problem anywhere with fuel delivery and both are worthless.

For performance it would be extra important to have both anti-ventilation plate perfectly aligned to make sure the props are biting into solid water.

Other than those issues it's the way to go if you ask me

I plan on equipping a 22ft Starcraft with dual OBs at some point in the future.

Now as far as the Packers tickets...they'd be worthless to me since the Lions can't win a game in Green Bay to save their lives.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

I plan on equipping a 22ft Starcraft with dual OBs at some point in the future.

How far into the future? Should we be on the hunt for ya??

 

[Bwana Don]

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?

We have a fine football team here in Detroit. Even set a record of sorts a couple of years back.

Jealous of the Packers who win, have an outdoor Stadium, and go to the playoffs year after year? Damn skippy I'm jealous. I'm jealous of Cleveland, and Kansas City even Oakland! Life balances out though, we have the Redwings!

 

[paparoof]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

We have a fine football team here in Detroit. Even set a record of sorts a couple of years back.

Hey the game I'm going to this year is against Detroit!

What do y'all think of this one?
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/boa/1731305251.html

Interior looks rough, but the asking price is closer to what you guys have been saying AND he says "must sell". I bet if I waved ten hundred-dollar bills under his nose he'd grab 'em.

How bout the motor? Merc 140 I/O any good? I gotta buddy with a 25hp OB on his 16 foot aluminum boat and it seems to go fast enough - 140hp on a boat that's only 2 feet longer? Seems like this combo will be scary fast. Yes/no?

This one's very nearby too....

 

[paparoof]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

here's another one I keep coming back to:

http://appleton.craigslist.org/boa/1709654711.html

Man, I'd love the 21 footer.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

How far into the future? Should we be on the hunt for ya??

I am a tax bracket or two away from the hunt

But I am waiting to apply for a promotion soon...I will get back to you on this

Paparoof are you leaning towards getting a closed bow? Or anything with Starcraft on the side over 18ft?

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

I am a tax bracket or two away from the hunt

But I am waiting to apply for a promotion soon...I will get back to you on this

Paparoof are you leaning towards getting a closed bow? Or anything with Starcraft on the side over 18ft?

OK, just announce that promo and we'll have ya in one within a day or two!



Yah papa, you may want to narrow things just a hair just to help your search along. I'd say I like that 21 footer but I don't know what is under the tarp, eh???

 

[paparoof]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

Paparoof are you leaning towards getting a closed bow? Or anything with Starcraft on the side over 18ft?

I'm all over the place really. I'm still clicking on 16 footers for cryin' out loud. But I'm not getting a 16 footer. My buddy has a 16-footer, so OF COURSE mine has to be bigger than his.

I will prefer the closed bow, for the big lake safety reason Jas espoused, but an open bow is not ruled out either, cause I know that's where my lovely lady will want to stretch out with her mohito and gardening magazines. If I take an open bow out on the big lake, I'll put a cover over the open bow, just like I wear a cockpit skirt when I kayak out on the big lake.

I guess the ideal for now would be whatever NB's Liquid Limo is. 21 feet, closed bow, no cabin. I really want the outside space for fishing and entertaining. Besides the fishing, I have dreams of taking one or two other couples out on the big rivers around here for an evening of wine and frivolity. To me an 18-footer means a max of four people, the 21-footer means six people. I know I can do more, but I don't want to crowd the place up either ya know? Keep in mind if I'm on the boat, so is my golden retriever, Red. He goes everywhere I go.

Once I own land up north, I'll get serious about the 25/26 foot Chieftain/Islander models.

Ever since starting this thread I've stopped spending money on silly things and sold a few items on ebay and even caught up with mileage reimbursements at work, so the bank account is looking better and better. This is really getting exciting. I can't wait to own a boat that can actually get up on a plane! Come on tax return!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

OK, so...

18' to 22' range closed bow, no cabin...

How about power, OB or IO or doesn't matter?

Kinda sounds like we are looking for a Holiday or maybe a Sunchief. Sound about right to you guys?

I'll keep my eyes peeled down this was as it sounds like you may drive for the right rig, eh!

When I find em, I post em up over on the "Starcraft on clist" thread. Going over there now actually.

Rock on!

 

[paparoof]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

I guess I'm fine with either I/O or OB. I see advantages and disadvantages to both, so I'm fine with either. Seems like I can get more ponies for the dollar with an I/O though....

I know there's a lotta boats in Michigan. I can take a few days off and spend $300 in gas, but it's gotta be a hell of a deal. I'd rather hit northern MI cause I'd rather take the northern route around the lake through Mackinaw City. I don't wanna drive the highways around Chicago pulling a trailer that I don't know intimately.

 

[paparoof]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

oh boy oh boy oh boy! here we go again:

http://madison.craigslist.org/boa/1761807563.html

700 BUCKS!!!

I called the guy immediately. He said the motor is the 165hp (250 GM?) can you all speak about that motor? He gave me the "it ran fine when I parked it five years ago" line. I asked him if it was winterized and he said yes, and added that it's got antifreeze in it.

It's the 22 footer (yay!) Says it does about 30mph. He's got a brand new (five years ago) depthfinder which I don't really care about (I already have two good ones) and a spare prop.

He says squirrels chewed through the cover and did some interior damage and got into some wires, but wiring doesn't scare me at all (I'm a field tech for a phone/Internet company - I can do wiring). So I'm assuming the worst with the interior, but if that's how I get it down to 700 bucks, I'm quite happy about it.

It's in Watertown, WI. That's where my wife grew up and where most of her family still lives - hell, I got married in Watertown last summer! So I have my brother in law going to look at it (hopefully today).

I'll use the check list we worked out previously in this thread, but I'd like y'all to speak about what kinds of things would be a deal killer - cracked block, that kinda thing.

Cross your fingers for me - this could be an exciting Memorial Day Weekend for me and mine!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

oh boy oh boy oh boy! here we go again:

http://madison.craigslist.org/boa/1761807563.html

700 BUCKS!!!

I called the guy immediately. He said the motor is the 165hp (250 GM?) can you all speak about that motor? He gave me the "it ran fine when I parked it five years ago" line. I asked him if it was winterized and he said yes, and added that it's got antifreeze in it.

It's the 22 footer (yay!) Says it does about 30mph. He's got a brand new (five years ago) depthfinder which I don't really care about (I already have two good ones) and a spare prop.

He says squirrels chewed through the cover and did some interior damage and got into some wires, but wiring doesn't scare me at all (I'm a field tech for a phone/Internet company - I can do wiring). So I'm assuming the worst with the interior, but if that's how I get it down to 700 bucks, I'm quite happy about it.

It's in Watertown, WI. That's where my wife grew up and where most of her family still lives - hell, I got married in Watertown last summer! So I have my brother in law going to look at it (hopefully today).

I'll use the check list we worked out previously in this thread, but I'd like y'all to speak about what kinds of things would be a deal killer - cracked block, that kinda thing.

Cross your fingers for me - this could be an exciting Memorial Day Weekend for me and mine!

See, now we are talking!

Here would be the question for you though...

Let's just say that you gave him the full $700 for it. You bring it home and find out the motor is junk, would you be upset?

The reason I ask is he probably won't be looking to run that motor for you, do compression, have a marine tech check it out and all that jazz. Nor should he at that price. You'd be gambling on this one. If you lose are you going to be ok with it?

At the same time, if you win, and the motor runs good, you win big in my opinion!

Check this out...

I bought my rig for $450 with the OMC Stringer Drive (worthless). Sold the motor for more than I paid for the entire rig. This boat is pretty much identical to mine, with one major difference. IT ALREADY HAS A MERC IN THERE! So if you did need to replace the motor/outdrive your road will be about a 1000 times easier that the one that I took.

At that price I'd be thinking a total rebuild. Anything that doesn't need to be rebuilt I'd say is icing on the cake!

Are you up for a total rebuild? Yes - than go get it! No - than pass and keep on looking.

I think it would be tough to go wrong on that boat!

By the way, it does look pretty darn good in the photo!

Have fun!

 

[paparoof]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

well, besides a cracked block, just about any other problem the motor has can be fixed - right? PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong about this.

As I understand it, the way to check for a cracked block is to look at the oil - milky = bad.

However, this things been sitting for five years, I'm assuming looking at the oil now isn't gonna tell us much. For that to be a valid test, we'd really have to start it up, warm it up, shut it down, then look at the oil right?

How can I find out if it's got a cracked block without starting it?

I should be posting this question over in the I/O forums shouldn't I?

Be right back....

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

Jason made some good points up there^^^^

I like it...it looks clean...no white OMC outdrive sending chills up any spines and it will accomodate 6 people easily.

It even comes with a doghouse for the Golden Retriever(sorry couldn't resist, I/O covers are called doghouses sometimes)

Good luck!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Going to look at a Chieftain

well, besides a cracked block, just about any other problem the motor has can be fixed - right? PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong about this.

As I understand it, the way to check for a cracked block is to look at the oil - milky = bad.

However, this things been sitting for five years, I'm assuming looking at the oil now isn't gonna tell us much. For that to be a valid test, we'd really have to start it up, warm it up, shut it down, then look at the oil right?

How can I find out if it's got a cracked block without starting it?

I should be posting this question over in the I/O forums shouldn't I?

Be right back....

Yah, I'd pretty much agree with what you have there. I think some guys would even argue that cracked blocks are fixable.

I think your seller would be a real gentleman to get it up and running for you.

If it were me I'd prolly say some like...

"Dude, it's $700. Do you want to buy it?"

Cheers!