Re: Rough and ready '74 Starcraft Chieftan 18' rebuild
It was a little (a lot) too wet for any non-waterproof electronics like a camera, but I did get in my first "real" sea-trial of the Chief this morning.
Got ready to head out at about 6 am, checked the NWS site, and they had issued a lake wind advisory. North wind, 15-25 knots. Doesn't sound that bad, right? Figured my friend and I could cross the broad lake and troll in a protected bay over on the NY side. Well, due to the geography of the lake (very long and narrow), a strong north wind has dozens of miles to push up seas. I'm sure these conditions exist on the Great Lakes all the time. We ended up giving it a shot in some five footers, decided it was too much and headed back to the ramp...surfed back, really, with the prop surfacing a bunch of times. That's when I realized why we were the only trailer in a usually busy lot.
While it was way too much for a morning fishing trip, I have to say that I was amazed at how well the boat handled the rough, ocean-like conditions. Every time I thought we were going to stuff the bow, she bobbed right up and over.
All in all, a very reassuring trip in the old Starcraft. It doesn't cut swells like a heavy glass boat, but it has the buoyancy of a cork bobber.
Fall fishing gets going here real soon, and I'm pretty sure the big blow today will break up the thermocline. I'll have fish and gear pics next time, I promise!
Cheers!
