Help with Starcraft Chieftain potential project

[captdag]

This is a boat I have my eye on for a potential project. Others on iboats identified this as a Starcraft Chieftain(Thanks). can anyone tell the size and year just from these photos? has anyone dealt with one before?
She was sitting on private property, so I did not get close-up pictures. I think she is a I/O but not sure. I'm just trying to get as much info before I approach the owner with an offer. thanks for any wisdom
.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Help with Starcraft Chieftain potential project

This is a boat I have my eye on for a potential project. Others on iboats identified this as a Starcraft Chieftain(Thanks). can anyone tell the size and year just from these photos? has anyone dealt with one before?
She was sitting on private property, so I did not get close-up pictures. I think she is a I/O but not sure. I'm just trying to get as much info before I approach the owner with an offer. thanks for any wisdom
.

Well, from here I am betting a 22 footer. Year might be a challenge as it looks like the bottom hull has been painted. Maybe 60's or 70's vintage. Probably an IO.

I like that you are in stealth mode taking shots with the extra long telephoto lens. 007 kinda

 

[barato2]

Re: Help with Starcraft Chieftain potential project

stalking the elusive Dormant Starcraft.......

Jas is right, it's a 22'.....too big for 18-19' and way too small to be one of the 25'ers

probably is an I/O....OB versions of this boat are fairly rare.

they were still using the curved plexi windshields til maybe the mid 60s, so this is newer than that, but due to shape of hull, i'd guess no newer than early 70s....IF it's in fact a Starcraft and not a Crestliner or Lone Star...also good boats....but i think from shape of side rails that it's a SC (almost identical to ones on my 64 Starchief)

as far as whether anyone here has dealt with one before, most of the SC cabin cruisers (indeed, most of the tin cruisers of any brand as far as resto work) are very similar, so look at any resto thread on a Starchief, Chieftain, or Islander

before you offer any specific amount, i'd ask what he plans on doing with it...you might find that he would take less than you were going to offer. many Starmada people have gotten great deals on dormant boats, sometimes almost free. the thing is probably worth at least $7-800 in scrap aluminum, tho

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: Help with Starcraft Chieftain potential project

Hey the trailer looks good from the photo and the boat looks clean. You will have to get closer to see whats ther and a casual looksee might be in order. Some days are diamonds some days are coal. Good hunting

 

[heyyou325]

Re: Help with Starcraft Chieftain potential project

Ya never know about it til you ask. Looks in real good shape. Might be a steal, or.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Help with Starcraft Chieftain potential project

Welcome fellow Starcraft stalker!
Its an I/O
Note the air vent seen between the port side rail. That vent is there to evacuate fuel fumes from the bilge/engine area of an I/O

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Help with Starcraft Chieftain potential project

Note the air vent seen between the port side rail. That vent is there to evacuate fuel fumes from the bilge/engine area of an I/O

Inconclusive Kev. My friend's outboard version has them too.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: Help with Starcraft Chieftain potential project

So does my Chieftain OB. I agree with barato this is definately not an 18 footer. The distance between the top hand rails is much larger than mine and the lower windshield may be a 2 piecer.
If i sit up in my seat it looks like a IO transom but what is the light blue / gray thing directly under Kev's arrow in the back ground? Can't be an OB can it? I don't see vents on the transom either????

Gas tank vents on the free board are like my 18' OB. If thats what they really are.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: Help with Starcraft Chieftain potential project

Upon closer examination I think the percieved OB is actually a stern vent.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Help with Starcraft Chieftain potential project

Nice old project just sitting there waiting for somebody to get her back in action

I agree that it's most likely an I/O but there are OB models around too. Either way she looks a little rough so you should be able to get a decent price.

The trailer appears to be missing some wheels, even more bargaining chips for ya.

Good luck!

 

[j_k_bisson]

Re: Help with Starcraft Chieftain potential project

It looks alot like this one doesn't it?



This one, my old one, was a 1971 Starcraft Chieftan 21'. They came with inline 4 cylinder 2.5l GM motors. The Old Iron Dukes as they where called. The out drived where Merc #1's. The motors last forever, but the drives a bit weak. There are things that need to be improved on them when you go through them.

PM if you want to know what to look for.

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: Help with Starcraft Chieftain potential project

Looks like a chieftain for sure, I bet a 21 foot. Mine is a 21 foot on the boat title.
Hull and windsheild looks just like my 1986, but I think they look almost identical for many years. I love the chieftain with the big cabin, you sacrifice fishing room but overall what I use mine for I like it very much, except for continual problems with the outdrive/engine.
I have been through a rebuild on mine, new floor, transom, new trailer axles, new tires, added brakes to the trailer, new outdrive, installed fresh water cooling, new engine, and many other odds and ends over the past 6 years. Got ride of the toilet, sink, built a new shelf, place for fishbox, added drains in the floor and duel bilge pumps.
Mine has the 181 cid merc (chevy motor), no speed demon. Top speed wot is 27-28 mph at sea level with 4 pobs, kicker motor and full of fuel. Cruises good at 20 mph.
I have run mine hundreds of hours with many trips exceeding 10 miles each way.
Hauled a 128lb halibut one day what a day, and in 2009 caught a bunch of salmon.
Any questions about a Cheiftain and I can probably help