Looking at this Chieftain 21ft, what questions should I ask?

[MaxGlide]

This fella podded this Chieftain and SEEMS to have done a nice job. Redid the inside totally, shortening the cabin to make more room for fishing. Looks like now only a buddy and fishing space.
What questions should I ask if Im interested in buying?

• year?
• stringer and transom condition?
• rivets replaced/sealed?

We boat in conditions with 3 foot waves MAXIMUM in the Straight of Georgia, between the mainland and Vancouver Island, not open ocean. Currently have a 17'6" Double Eagle, fibreglass, and wonder how the Starcraft would be in these waters.

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[racerone]

Aluminum boats in big waves flex more than you would think.------Leads to loose rivets.----Make sure main bilge pump is good.-----You might install a back up pump too.

 

[matt167]

Having been on a 21’ chief in big waves I can tell you it’s a rough ride. But they will handle it fine. They were rated for offshore usage. There are no stringers just aluminum ribs and usually a few stiffeners. Leaking rivits are the only problem

 

[MaxGlide]

Having been on a 21’ chief in big waves I can tell you it’s a rough ride. But they will handle it fine. They were rated for offshore usage. There are no stringers just aluminum ribs and usually a few stiffeners. Leaking rivits are the only problem

Thanks for the info!

 

[MaxGlide]

So had a chat with the fellow and here's the info I got. He modified the boat to make it a better fishing platform.

• boat was completely gutted, new foam, new floor.
• engine and leg was removed by previous owner and a custom pod put on.
• cut cabin back by 20" and moved helm and everything forward by that much. Resulted in a smaller cuddy where one can sleep sideways (feet too high sleeping lengthwise).Benches break down into two beds.
• any rivet problems were fixed and hull coated with an epoxy to help seal it. (what would this mean If we needed to fix rivets in the future?)
• installed a bilge pump cycle counter that resets every 15 minutes. Says count is never above 0? You would think you would want count from entire time you were in water? He trailers boat, not left in water.
• two, 13.2 gallon tanks under seats. (wonder what range that would give us?)
• boat was wet blasted from waterline up and painted with aluminum primer and marine paint.
• powered by a new, 2017 Yamaha, 4 stroke.
• On plane at 13mph, fully fuelled and with two people.
• cruises at 23mph at 4000rpm (wondering if these numbers are good or ?)

So having bought two boats without the proper due diligence, I am looking for any tips on what to watch for. Really anything that would say either "go for it" or "stay away". I have no attachment to any boat other than finding a reliable boat that has a good fishing platform and that I can stay on once in a while.

• How this boat would handle in our waters (would only be in 3 foot waves if we got caught out, normally waves half that)?
• any thoughts on above info?

Thank you all in advance for any help.

Wayne

 

[matt167]

23 is awful slow. The big chief should do 30 mph cruise with 140hp I/0. How many hp? My dads would hit almost 50 on glass with 140 mercruiser. They are very light. Shortening the cabin is somewhat common on those. You can remove 4’ taking the cabinets away leaving the berth only. My dads was factory configured. Many days and hours trolling Lake Ontario. If I found a podded chief I’d want at least 115hp and I wouldn’t hesitate to buy. 3 foot will be rough but it will handle it if you can

 

[MaxGlide]

23 is awful slow. The big chief should do 30 mph cruise with 140hp I/0. How many hp? My dads would hit almost 50 on glass with 140 mercruiser. They are very light. Shortening the cabin is somewhat common on those. You can remove 4’ taking the cabinets away leaving the berth only. My dads was factory configured. Many days and hours trolling Lake Ontario. If I found a podded chief I’d want at least 115hp and I wouldn’t hesitate to buy. 3 foot will be rough but it will handle it if you can

It has a 2017, 115hp, 4 stroke Suzuki. 23mph is his cruise speed, I don’t know what it would do at WOT. I’m not worried about being able to rip along at 40-50, motor screaming.

 

[matt167]

It has a 2017, 115hp, 4 stroke Suzuki. 23mph is his cruise speed, I don’t know what it would do at WOT. I’m not worried about being able to rip along at 40-50, motor screaming.

You would want some motor if the weather kicks up. 115hp would be marginal but usable. Outboard version of that boat would have come with 150hp rating iirc and the I/o came with 140hp 3.0l. They may have used 120hp 2.5s as well

 

[MaxGlide]

Sorry, motor has 420 hours on it.

 

[MaxGlide]

You would want some motor if the weather kicks up. 115hp would be marginal but usable. Outboard version of that boat would have come with 150hp rating iirc and the I/o came with 140hp 3.0l. They may have used 120hp 2.5s as well

I don’t know if this makes any difference but the furthest wherever from sure there’s a couple of miles

 

[MaxGlide]

I don’t know if this makes any difference but the furthest wherever from sure there’s a couple of miles

I meant “the furthest from shore we ever are” us a coupla miles

 

[matt167]

I meant “the furthest from shore we ever are” us a coupla miles

That’s a long ways if the weather kicks up. 115hp is enough but you will find yourself wanting more

 

[MaxGlide]

That’s a long ways if the weather kicks up. 115hp is enough but you will find yourself wanting more

Well. it's a couple of miles but not into open ocean. We got land pretty much all around. A big day would be 3 foot waves.

 

[Watermann]

Did you get the Chief? I'd like to see some pics if you did.

A 115HP OB would be fine for that boat and get you around 35MPH but you would want a smaller kicker for trolling and another way to port if the main had an issue.

 

[MaxGlide]

Did you get the Chief? I'd like to see some pics if you did.

A 115HP OB would be fine for that boat and get you around 35MPH but you would want a smaller kicker for trolling and another way to port if the main had an issue.

I haven’t yet. I’ve bought two boats without doing due diligence and suffred. This time we are making sure we get exactly what we want. Here’s some pics of her though

 

[Watermann]

I get that, all the boats I've bought were pretty much a basket case so I knew what I was getting. They've done some serious work on their old Chief, any insight into why they want to sell?

Chief looks great in the pics, only thing I can see that you may look at closer are the trailer bunks, appears to be raw wood and I can't tell what, if anything is on top of the bunk in the pic.

 

[MaxGlide]

He’s getting old and injured his back. Can’t fish anymore. Will check the bunks.

 

[thill]

That looks to be a great boat. I like the enclosed area. Aluminum boats get bounced around, so don't expect it to ride like a Parker or C-Hawk of similar dimensions, but it should be easy to tow and easy on the fuel bill.

Personally, I would want to water test the boat before purchase. Offer to buy the gas and ramp fees, and then take it out and run it. See how she handles, and check the bilge to see if she leaks. I wouldn't be surprised if she is in great shape. It looks well cared for in the pics.

I guess the other big question is how much is he asking for the boat, and how does that compare to other similar boats? Buying is an important step. Buy right, and you can sell and break even or maybe even make a little if you decide it's not for you. Buy wrong, and it can really hurt you, as you indicate has happened with your previous boats.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Looks like a killer set up, did you buy it? Ad is down

 

[MaxGlide]

Looks like a killer set up, did you buy it? Ad is down

I did not. Fishing west coast so looking fir something less rolly poly