My Chieftan project

[Weep'n Willy]

Re: My Chieftan project

:lol: Gotta love it!! Sausage, mushrooms, and black olives work for me......

This is what makes all the different restos fun. We each seem to face different challenges on our projects.

 

[Sc25175]

Re: My Chieftan project

Just wanted to let you two know this discussion was helpful for me. I have the 24 and Jas last statement is what I couldn't quite articulate.

I think I will cut out the aluminum like WW and weld the piece back in.

Was tearing the cabin apart last night and it sure seems Starcraft does build a nice hull but there woodwork, fit and finish and lack of sealent is really crappy.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: My Chieftan project

Yah, agreed. I think Starcraft's main purpose was to turn out a lot of boats that were reasonably affordable back in the day. And, that's exactly what they did. Good news is we now have lot's of opportunities to grab them up cheap for rebuild, eh!

 

[Weep'n Willy]

Re: My Chieftan project

Certainly glad the discussion helped you out Steve. It sure is a benefit having these forums with so many restos that one can scan over several of them and find information that works in their situation. Good luck with your project.

 

[Weep'n Willy]

Re: My Chieftan project

Wow, what a winter. I was unable to get the boat in the shop this winter to complete the work on her and the weather we have had has made it impossible to resume work on it but looks like we will finally get a break and progress can resume. Will post pics and updates as soon as I can.

 

[boatnut74]

Re: My Chieftan project

Glad to hear the weather is starting to turn and you can get back to work on the Chief.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: My Chieftan project

Hey Willy, howya been coming along on this big Chief project? I'm sure you've been hard at work eh?

http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k458/chasinsprints/Fishing 2013/laker25_zps4a3a4a4b.jpg

Uh, never mind

 

[Weep'n Willy]

Re: My Chieftan project

Hey Willy, howya been coming along on this big Chief project? I'm sure you've been hard at work eh?

http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k458/chasinsprints/Fishing 2013/laker25_zps4a3a4a4b.jpg

Uh, never mind

:lol: Jas, when you get that Islander finished up and you can come out and join us for some great Lk Huron fishing. We will show you where the fish are, all you have to do is catch them.

 

[barato2]

Re: My Chieftan project

:lol::lol:Willy, it's great that you're teachin your youngun how to rig dead bait for trolling. but what do you catch in freshwater that requires bait that big? sturgeon? :lol:

 

[Weep'n Willy]

Re: My Chieftan project

:laugh: We are catching all the good eating fish that we can before the asian carp invade and ruin all the lakes.

 

[barato2]

Re: My Chieftan project

all BS aside, it's great that you're taking the kid fishing. healthy passions reduce the void for unhealthy passions to occupy, and a kid i see fishin is less likely to be my client down the road.. OTOH, you're creating the risk that he'll end up like me, with a jones for screaming drags and too much $ in big tackle and lures. my aunt never thought of this when she started me fishing at age 4, i suspect. beware.....

i remember when alewives and hagfish were predicted to be the end of Grt Lks fishery, but we got through those. it may not be as dire as you think.

 

[Weep'n Willy]

Re: My Chieftan project

I have been taking my grandson for the past several years and he absolutely loves it. Always wants to spend every weekend at our house knowing that we will go fishing. He already has the fever, and a bit of a rod hog too. I know what you mean on the money invested, I have been plying the waters of the great lakes for over 30 years and I don't even want to try to figure out how much I have invested in tackle, electronics, boats, etc. Last count I had over 800 salmon spoons alone

After the salmon collapse a few years ago a lot of people gave up fishing Lk Huron but the past couple years the fishing has really escalated. We have a great steelhead fishery, plenty of coho, browns, lakers, some atlantic salmon, and the kings are starting to make a comeback as several close to 20 lbs have been caught so far this season. It will only get better I believe and there will be plenty fish to keep my grandson interested in going.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: My Chieftan project

the past couple years the fishing has really escalated. We have a great steelhead fishery, plenty of coho, browns, lakers, some atlantic salmon, and the kings are starting to make a comeback as several close to 20 lbs have been caught so far this season. It will only get better I believe and there will be plenty fish to keep my grandson interested in going.

I sure hope so! Man, if I'm building out these boats to be Asian Carp fishing machines, ugh, what a disappointment that would be:blue:

 

[barato2]

Re: My Chieftan project

look at the good side....there will be the snakeheads. and alligator gar, once it gets a bit warmer. 400 ppm today at Mauna Loa....Jurassinthepark, baby.

Willy, they had similar issue with the redfish along gulf coast....blackened redfish craze of 80s nearly wiped em out. then NGOs like the CCA started massive hatchery and stocking program, and now they're plentiful, altho we'll never see the big ones like you get off Hatteras.

 

[Weep'n Willy]

Re: My Chieftan project

ok......browsing through online auctions today and happened upon a 1990 3.0 mercruiser and outdrive. Obviously newer than that of the Chief so I tossed in my bid. Low and behold for less than 400 bucks won the auction which included the boat and trailer. Not that I needed another engine but.......for that price with a newer outdrive too,,,,,,well I couldn't pass it up. So now I will be moving up from a pre alpha to a newer outdrive, a newer engine that has power steering. Sell the rest of the boat and trailer from this purchase and the old outdrive from the Chief and hopefully will have bought this for free....or better yet some profit, and still have the original engine. Geeze, feel like I should play the lotto today....

 

[jasoutside]

Re: My Chieftan project

That'll no doubt be perfect for trolling all day long on the cheap:thumb:

 

[Weep'n Willy]

Re: My Chieftan project

Yea Jas, I am pretty excited about this purchase. The 4 bangers are great on gas and I usually burn 10 gal + or - for a day on the big water with the 120 in my Thompson. I think the addition of the power steering on this unit will certainly be a benefit, at least when the wife has to drive the boat in not so tame surf.
A v6 would have been nice but I already have a spare lower leg for the outdrive that fits the 120/140 so guess I am all set in that department. Will pick it up next weekend......have no idea what the boat looks like but it is in a glasser, an aerocraft as I am told that is supposedly in good condition except the interior needed some love......or..... no matter, glasser is donor and will go on the sale block.

 

[Weep'n Willy]

Re: My Chieftan project

Went and got the auction boat today. First time I got a look at anything other than the engine and outdrive pictures. I expected to see a really trashed boat and trailer but I was pleasantly surprised. Had to put some rubber on it so I could tow it home, so a quick trip to a nearby town with a tire store and back. Checked the wheel bearings they were well greased and in great shape. As expected with a glass the floor is in bad shape but didn't want another hull. Made the 2 hour trip back home without a problem.


The boat after arriving home.


Real nice instrument panel, this will have to go in the Chief. Gauges look brand new.


Outdrive in is pretty good shape.



The engine, Mercruiser 140 with power steering. Will be nice in the Chief.

The people that I got it from were very cordial, had all paperwork, title, registration, etc all set and signed. Overall I am quite happy with the purchase. After I strip all the good stuff off of it the hull will get rid of it and sell the trailer and other parts that I won't use.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: My Chieftan project

Gotta love the donor boats!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: My Chieftan project

Nice donor, congrats.