Got me a Starchief

[rheagler]

Re: Got me a Starchief

Thanks for checking in guys.
Yes, IM, closer does make things easier. And another way to look at it is instead of drive time going to work on it there is 'tarp time' to cover and uncover.
We are supposed to have beautiful weather the next 2 days. I have tried to schedule my work to finish up early to get in some boat time....We'll see!

 

[rheagler]

Re: Got me a Starchief

Was able to make some pretty good progress over the weekend, not much is pic worthy yet though. I put the final coats of varnish on the cabin wall, started sorting out wiring to get a game plan for putting the new dash in and made up the parts I needed to for seat mounting. I'm really feeling like I'm coming down the homestretch to start putting things back together. Hopefully I'm able to steal some time here and there to keep plugging away this week.

 

[rheagler]

Re: Got me a Starchief

I managed to squeeze in a few hours on the Chief last night and today. Got the dash installed, seats installed, control box mounted and under dash wiring almost under control.
Here's a pic....

I'm liking the original type folding seat hardware.
I'm going to try to get up early tomorrow (not quite as early as Jason) to get started putting the railings back on.

 

[dozerII]

Re: Got me a Starchief

Wow Rh does that ever look great, awsome job. I'm really looking forward to seeing this project done.
Glen

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Got me a Starchief

Looking good!

(I've actually been sleeping till 5 these days)

 

[InMotion]

Re: Got me a Starchief

RH - looks terrific! The cabin wall/dash wood really pulls the whole deck area together.

Glad to see you have been able to make some great progress this weekend... you really are in the home stretch.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: Got me a Starchief

Wicked good job there Rich. I really like how open the cockpit feels with that original seating. My old ones and all the hardware were long gone before I got it.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Got me a Starchief

It's a great day when the sun gleams off a newly freshened tinny. The cockpit is beautiful!!!!!!!!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Got me a Starchief

Real classy looking ride!

 

[rheagler]

Re: Got me a Starchief

Thanks for checking in guys. It really is starting to feel like I'm in the home stretch, although there also seems to be a ton of little things to do yet.
So today, I got up early, went out to the garage and cleaned railing hardware as well as did some cleaning up in the garage in anticipation of working on the motors. Yes, motors.
Then, we (the GF and me) decided we would go geocaching for a few hours in the state forest. After a couple hours in the woods, we decided to head home and I got her Xterra hopelessly stuck in a puddle. Had to phone a friend to bring my Cherokee down to the woods to pull us out. Took a lot of digging, a lot of pulling. Cherokee got buried to the axles twice but finally got out and home by 10 PM. So much for working on the boat today. It was all fun though.
Here's the Xterra stuck in the sand and water.....

Tomorrow is another day!

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Got me a Starchief

RH - Keep that mud off the Starchief - Please. Good thing you had a real Trail-Rated Jeep for back-up. I duck now. PS - I'm a Jeep owner too.

 

[rheagler]

Re: Got me a Starchief

Thanks GA. Starchief is mud free. The Jeep was pretty impressive. It dug itself in, and would just back right out of the holes. It did good.

 

[InMotion]

Re: Got me a Starchief

Glad you made it back safe and sound!!! Gotta have some play time here and there!!!

Jim

 

[slowleak]

Re: Got me a Starchief

I've been reading through this whole thread, it looks like a new boat now.

How high are those seats from the floor?
Will they require a foot rest?

 

[rheagler]

Re: Got me a Starchief

Thanks slowleak.
The seats are about 25" from the floor, so yes a footrest would add some comfort. I've got some things stewing for that and will post results.

 

[barato2]

Re: Got me a Starchief

R, my Starchief came with the original storage boxes that function as footrests. i'll be happy to get you pix and measurements if you want. they're pretty useful and will be going back in once i replace the lids.

 

[rheagler]

Re: Got me a Starchief

Thanks B2. I'd love to see the pics and measurements. Either post 'em up here or PM me and I'll send you my email.

I haven't been able to do much on the Chief lately due to being behind on my paying work. Kinda frustrating since the weather has been so nice. It's going to be more frustrating once all the boats start showing up on the river
Hopefully this weekend I'll be able to get in a couple hours.....

 

[barato2]

Re: Got me a Starchief

i know how you feel...been buried lately at work. oh well, i am one of the few people who can say "i'm from the government and i'm here to help you".....and be telling the truth! i'll get measurements and pix tonight.

 

[rheagler]

Re: Got me a Starchief

Finally got a chance to start messing with the Merc 850 on Easter. I started taking it apart to clean it upp and get it running. It's a mess. I got the lower unit off, and almost have the powerhead separated from the mid section. Luckily the driveshaft wasn't stuck in the crankshaft. With any luck tomorrow evening I'll get the powerhead off. Just one pretty lame pic for now, I'll take more tomorrow...

 

[rheagler]

Re: Got me a Starchief

So I succeeded in getting the powerhead free today, I didn't even have to get as violent with it as was expecting. Only one broken bolt so far! Here are some pics...