Rough and ready '74 Starcraft Chieftan 18' rebuild

[laurentide]

Re: Rough and ready '74 Starcraft Chieftan 18' rebuild

Hey Chem the ole Chief is coming together great. On the sliders, have you thought about going simple and using a 1 inch hole saw drill bit to make a finger hole? You could even trim the hole with an insert. Then the panels could also bypass each other without hanging up or banging the hardware.

Yeah, I actually thought about this after you suggested it, and I realized that I actually don't need any handles/holes. They slide fine just pushing the frame. So, thanks, that'll save me some clutter/extra hardware.

 

[classiccat]

Re: Rough and ready '74 Starcraft Chieftan 18' rebuild

BF, thanks for the awesome diagram. I took the bow light apart, and both sets of wires are just on ring connectors to the two terminals. I think one set connected to the old masthead light, which had a forward white running light, and also an all-around anchor light. I just ran it straight to the switch, and, voila...even the 15+ year old bulb still works! I have rocker switches to spare, as I'm running most of my accessories right to the battery switch breaker, so I'm simply going to have a separate anchor light switch...I just have to remember to turn it on when the running lights are on.

ahh, they had it daisy chained.

if you ever want to make room on that switch panel for true-to-era amenities (8-track, vibrating helm chair, 12V fondu maker, disco ball, etc.), you've got the DPDT arrangement :lol: It's really simple, you run that stern jumper right at the switch.

 

[ctswf]

Re: Rough and ready '74 Starcraft Chieftan 18' rebuild

I bet you don't see too many running in salt water down by you. Up here there are a few more, but they're mostly big money new boats.

BTW, how's that triple working for you on your rig?

yeah not many, I did see a sea nymph striper out at a reef in the sound the other day, there's definitely an unspoken tip of the hat that occurs when two old tin boats show up

The 70 has been great fishing 3 people, I haven't tried more bodies yet but i'm sure it will get the job done. I usually cruise around at like 20mph from spot to spot.

for the sake of other readers, ill mention I have the identical motor with a 17p prop on an 18' tin starcraft open bow

no power tilt
second pin position / 2 people
29mph 4800rpm

3rd pin position / 3 people
26mph 5000 rpm

3rd pin is deffinitely the spot for my setup, second and forth were terible rides.

 

[laurentide]

Re: Rough and ready '74 Starcraft Chieftan 18' rebuild

yeah not many, I did see a sea nymph striper out at a reef in the sound the other day, there's definitely an unspoken tip of the hat that occurs when two old tin boats show up

The 70 has been great fishing 3 people, I haven't tried more bodies yet but i'm sure it will get the job done. I usually cruise around at like 20mph from spot to spot.

for the sake of other readers, ill mention I have the identical motor with a 17p prop on an 18' tin starcraft open bow

no power tilt
second pin position / 2 people
29mph 4800rpm

3rd pin position / 3 people
26mph 5000 rpm

3rd pin is deffinitely the spot for my setup, second and forth were terible rides.

ct, thanks for the info. I've been dealing with a bunch of other non-boat crap and just saw your post. I'll start with the third hole from the transom on my splash...which should be next Tuesday or Wednesday.

Nothing much to show off at this point, just a bunch of wiring and trying to figure out helm seating. I got a pvc 'ducer board glued up with 5200, and did end up getting a VHF with a new 8' antenna (cheap Cobra unit).

I'll get stuff cleaned up and post some pics tomorrow evening.

I'm headed to the DMV tomorrow with nothing but a bill of sale...hoping it works out. VT is a non-title state for anything more than 15 years old. And 6% of $250 for sales tax is pretty budget friendly.


Cheers, dudes.

 

[ctswf]

Re: Rough and ready '74 Starcraft Chieftan 18' rebuild

After I posted that I've been able to hit 32mph on nice days with the 70 + 2 men. I fished 4 guys the other day (including myself), did quite well.

 

[laurentide]

Re: Rough and ready '74 Starcraft Chieftan 18' rebuild

After I posted that I've been able to hit 32mph on nice days with the 70 + 2 men. I fished 4 guys the other day (including myself), did quite well.

Cool, glad it's workin' out for ya, ct. I imagine I'll have a little more wind resistance and weight, but mid-high 20s would be fine for me.

Guys, I kind of let the project sit for a while, which is disappointing because it's pretty much water ready. Things kind of went from bad to worse here (hint: the problem starts with the letter "M," so, crappy, though it could certainly be worse and I'm optimistic right now), but I've got a bunch of free time coming my way this week, and I should be able to get her wet, though possibly with no seating to start out. Fishing gear may also have to wait until the fall, but that's a good time for Lake Trout here.

Also, since I'm not shelling out for a kicker bracket this season, I'm thinking about using the "Happy Troller" plate I have but have never used. For those who may have used/use trolling plates, I have a question: There doesn't look to be a way to pull the plate up when you're done using it, so I'm thinking that maybe you just release the plate with the cable and the thrust from the prop will push it up? Thanks.

Hope to have splash pics for you guys soon. I hope you're all having an awesome summer, and that most of you are on the water way more than I've been (which is zero).

Cheers.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Rough and ready '74 Starcraft Chieftan 18' rebuild

Best of luck w/ the whole M stuff :cold:

been there...

Time off & boat work pending sound great!

 

[laurentide]

Re: Rough and ready '74 Starcraft Chieftan 18' rebuild

Best of luck w/ the whole M stuff :cold:

been there...

Time off & boat work pending sound great!

Thanks, JB. That's a whole 'nother forum right there....

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Rough and ready '74 Starcraft Chieftan 18' rebuild

It's unlikely, but I gotta ask:

Does the M stand for MBS?

Because I know where you can find another big tinny, cheap...:facepalm:



Sorry, didn't think so.......

Anyway, how 'bout those cubbies this year???

The Pirates sure ain't much to write about ..:embarassed:

Enjoy the start to a week off tomorrow!

 

[laurentide]

Re: Rough and ready '74 Starcraft Chieftan 18' rebuild

It's unlikely, but I gotta ask:

Does the M stand for MBS?

Because I know where you can find another big tinny, cheap...:facepalm:



Sorry, didn't think so.......

Anyway, how 'bout those cubbies this year???

The Pirates sure ain't much to write about ..:embarassed:

Enjoy the start to a week off tomorrow!

Not quite, but three days off. Bo-Sox fan here, so I've actually got a pennant race to follow, barring another historic collapse.

Don't you have to actually "finish" and splash your first project boat before you can get MBS? :lol: Yeah, didn't think so...

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Rough and ready '74 Starcraft Chieftan 18' rebuild

Finish 1st? WTH? Yeah, nope...

Then enjoy the 3 days! All dang weekend!

 

[rheagler]

Re: Rough and ready '74 Starcraft Chieftan 18' rebuild

Hey Chem! Nice progress on your Chief! I haven't been on the iboats very much lately and just found your thread. When I saw the pics of my boat in it I had to read the whole thing. Your doing a great job. I think you'll be happy with the 70 hp outboard. Mine cruises really nice about 22mph @4500-4800 and tops out at 29. Doesn't kill me on fuel either. I like how you did the sliding doors in the back, that's one thing I still have yet to do. I also like the above deck tank under the splashwell, I may have to do something like that. Looking forward to more progress. Have fun!

 

[laurentide]

Re: Rough and ready '74 Starcraft Chieftan 18' rebuild

Glad you checked it out, rheagler. I used your thread a bunch in researching my plan for this boat. I'm currently attempting to re-create the drop down seats like the ones you have. I like the idea of having the option to basically remove the seats from an already sort of cramped cockpit...and I didn't cut down the splashwell like you did, so it's even smaller back there.

This is my first boat that won't require portable tanks, and I'm already pretty psyched to not have to deal with them. Every single one I've ever had seems to leak and smell.

Pics later today, I promise!

 

[rheagler]

Re: Rough and ready '74 Starcraft Chieftan 18' rebuild

I'm happy my work was useful to you. I used MichaelP's, Deadwoods, Wrfalpacas' , Jason's and whole bunch of other projects as my inspiration.
I left my splashwell full size, MichaelP cut his down. I wanted to keep the space for battery and fuel tanks. I didn't think it would be worth all the work involved for my own use, I have yet to have more than 1 person in the boat with me so the space hasn't been an issue.
As far as the seats go, I used Garelick fold down helm seat hardware, it was pretty pricey but I thought it was worth it rather than to fabricate stuff. You do have to plan things out with it, the way I have it the helm seat won't fold down because of control cable interference, and I goofed the first time around with the left seat to get it to where the cabin door would open all the way without having to fold the seat out of the way first. It also lacks footrests, which for now I use a tool box on the helm side, and a cooler on the other.
Keep up the good work, looking forward to more progress!

 

[laurentide]

Re: Rough and ready '74 Starcraft Chieftan 18' rebuild

Awesome, thanks rheagler! Not sure why I thought you cut your S/W down. If you read further up this page, you'll see that I'll likely be doing a good amount of solo boating as well :laugh:

My "plan" for those seats is to bolt a piece of painted 3/4" ply to the gunwale, and attach SS hinges to the ply, and then a plywood base attached with swivels for the seats. That way I should have clearance for the control cables, I think. Not sure till I get it mounted up. I was thinking about coolers as well for footrests, or maybe heavy duty shelf brackets and more ply on the bulkheads. All I have from the original seating are the "u" bases and the flanges that they sit in. The original hinges were lost by the PO during his failed resto attempt.

Also, I'm not putting the door back on. At some point in the future I'd like to have some custom canvas made, and just a snap in piece where the cabin door was. It just seems like it would be too much in the way for grabbing gear. The boat will be in my backyard on the trailer when stored, which is pretty safe from theft.

 

[laurentide]

Re: Rough and ready '74 Starcraft Chieftan 18' rebuild

So, as I stated earlier this week, I'm gettin' pretty darn close with this project. I think the only thing I'm lacking at this point is seating and trailer wiring. I'll get the trailer wired up tomorrow, then maybe a sea trial mid-week? Yeah, that could actually happen.

Here's some shots of the results of many hours of wiring. Still not done, as I need to connect the compass light and find some led strips for cockpit lighting, but the important stuff is all set.

I used PVC board to mount the remote:

More PVC board:

Tags!:

 

[laurentide]

Re: Rough and ready '74 Starcraft Chieftan 18' rebuild

And a couple of shots of the (almost) complete cockpit/helm:

Hope you all had an excellent weekend!

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Rough and ready '74 Starcraft Chieftan 18' rebuild

Lights are a very good indication that you are OH so close...Nice work!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Rough and ready '74 Starcraft Chieftan 18' rebuild

Looking great CW!

Best of luck on a mid-week S!

 

[classiccat]

Re: Rough and ready '74 Starcraft Chieftan 18' rebuild

Oh man, it's Christmas in July!! Lookin' really sharp chem!!!