My Chieftan project

[Weep'n Willy]

Re: My Chieftan project

The more I keep looking at the pics I do believe she will have to move a bit further forward and thus will have to make a new and longer tongue for sure. Yes Blue, not that uncommon for people going to longer tongues, actually makes for a better ride and more control esp when backing.

B2, I hear ya but time constraints are getting to me now. With the boat being 15 miles from where I work and then another 18 home it makes it hard to get down there every day to get work done on her. I still have a lot to do on my short list to get her ready to hit the water. When I bring it back home then I will be able to work on it after I get home every night which will include installing the outdrive, finish up the electrical, installing the downriggers, muffs and tuning, etc. So the trailer painting may have to come next winter.

 

[dozerII]

Re: My Chieftan project

Looks awesome outside WnW, I have to agree she needs to move forward on the trailer, which is pretty easy a little bit longer piece of 4"X3"tubing to replace the old one drill some holes and good to go, easy for me to say EH. I'm with you on the trailer paint it's going to have to wait.

 

[Weep'n Willy]

Re: My Chieftan project

Alright the trailer situation has been resolved. A few beverages last night around my bonfire instilled some ideas.



This was forward arm moved to the back. Moved the cross member from the bolt hole indicated in red box to the last hole.

Could not get the front of the boat high enough for the bow to miss the trailer frame in the front so grabbed some tube stock, cut and drilled in new holes ( the piece in the red outline), welded to the roller arm and gave it an elevation change.



This effectively game me the clearance needed in the bow and moved the boat a bit forward on the trailer.




This is the final results. Well pleased! Also got some Nautolex on the seat boxes today too but ran out of contact cement. Will finish them tomorrow and install them.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: My Chieftan project

Yah, there ya go!

 

[classiccat]

Re: My Chieftan project

dang you're smart! I used a similar trick to get my boat to fit in my garage! :lol:

...I wish I could say that the resolution to my issue was more than simply a roll-of-the-dice

 

[dozerII]

Re: My Chieftan project

Awesome job WnW, that is one sharp looking Chief.

 

[Watermann]

Re: My Chieftan project

Perfect fit now! :thumb:

 

[crankbait cowboy]

Re: My Chieftan project

great solution on the trailer setup wnw, looks like a great setup now

 

[Weep'n Willy]

Re: My Chieftan project

Couple more update pics.

Seat boxes completed and installed. Will put some alum trim on all edges.




And the headliner in the cabin if finally completed.



Also got the rub rail completely installed and the end caps back on. Me and the heat gun spent some time working on softening and stretching the rub rail insert so I could get it into the end caps and screwed in place. Amazing how much that stuff shrinks when outside of the rail.

The ice is breaking fast and already have a couple friends that have went out of Pt Huron area and catching walleye, coho, steelhead and a couple kings going. Man, I am running out of time.

 

[dozerII]

Re: My Chieftan project

Great progress WnW, Season opens here on May 5th and come He#$ or High water I plan on being out there in the Holiday.

 

[InMotion]

Re: My Chieftan project

Boat looks awesome on the trailer there WW!!! Nice progress.... yur not far from splash action time!!!

J.

 

[Watermann]

Re: My Chieftan project

Steady forward progress towards the project goal is what it takes to finish. I like the head liner, been wondering about doing something like that too.

 

[astor]

Re: My Chieftan project

Much better fit to the trailer- that was a good idea, and I love that color scheme.

 

[Weep'n Willy]

Re: My Chieftan project

Thanks guys, sometimes ya just got to sit back and observe and debate and weight all options before committing and I think all is well with the trailer fit. And hey, I did get some paint on the trailer ........ er at least on the tube stock I welded on. :lol:

I swear this winter just does not want to go away. 70 degrees yesterday and wake up this am to 4" of snow. Wow. Record cold tonight then back to 60 Thursday. Screwy weather... got no power at work due to the wicked storm that ripped through Sunday evening and took out a buttload of power lines. So working with small generators to light the shop and fix equipment has a tendency to suck and they are not sure yet when the power will be restored.

 

[dozerII]

Re: My Chieftan project

I hear on the crazy weather, we aren't getting the snow but the temperature is way up then way down and the wind just howls.

 

[jvanhees]

Re: My Chieftan project

Couple more update pics.

Seat boxes completed and installed. Will put some alum trim on all edges.




And the headliner in the cabin if finally completed.



Also got the rub rail completely installed and the end caps back on. Me and the heat gun spent some time working on softening and stretching the rub rail insert so I could get it into the end caps and screwed in place. Amazing how much that stuff shrinks when outside of the rail.

The ice is breaking fast and already have a couple friends that have went out of Pt Huron area and catching walleye, coho, steelhead and a couple kings going. Man, I am running out of time.

Awesome big water/rough weather boat Willy! Get out there after them eyes/salmon soon...and post pics!

 

[spegtoast]

Re: My Chieftan project

Looking beutiful. She will be a piece of art on the big splash.

 

[barato2]

Re: My Chieftan project

been a bit since i checked in here. it just continues to look better and better....love the headliner plan. :applause:

 

[Weep'n Willy]

Re: My Chieftan project

Pulled the boat back home yesterday. She rode great on the new trailer, a lot better than the other one. The lower center of gravity on this one made for a much nicer and stable ride. Got to get her finished up....the docks are now in and they are catching fish. Gonna go with my buddy tomorrow and give it a go.

 

[Watermann]

Re: My Chieftan project

I hear ya Willy, a nice trailer means the world when going down the road and now I have my Chief on it's new chariot too.

Good luck on the water tomorrow! :thumb: