Rough and ready '74 Starcraft Chieftan 18' rebuild

[laurentide]

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

GT, I haven't mounted it yet, so I'm just speculating, but I can barely move it with both feet on the pad. I'll mount it and lube it up before removing anything. Thanks!

 

[rheagler]

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

Nice score!! Maybe add a steel plate as additional weight? I'm interested to see how the 4hp pushes the Chief. I have a 6hp Johnson for a winter project I may want to use on mine.

 

[laurentide]

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

I'll let you know, rheagler. I'll be using it primarily for trolling, so it can't really be too slow for that (.7 to 2.5 is what I'm looking for), but also for a get-me-home motor if the main engine fails. It could be a long ride home with the 4.

 

[StinkinShip]

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

Quite a few yrs back when I was new to boating I was worried about the same thing. Once it was mounted and the motor was installed on it, it was Way easier to move up and down. Mount it and give it a try it should be O.K. with the 30 or so Lbs that motor weighs.

P.S. I wasn't taking a shot at you with the noobie comment. LOL

 

[laurentide]

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

Quite a few yrs back when I was new to boating I was worried about the same thing. Once it was mounted and the motor was installed on it, it was Way easier to move up and down. Mount it and give it a try it should be O.K. with the 30 or so Lbs that motor weighs.

P.S. I wasn't taking a shot at you with the noobie comment. LOL

No worries, thanks for the tip.

 

[Woodonglass]

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

I think you'll be surprised once it's mounted. Leverage IS a powerful force. The weight of your motor and the leverage once it's bolted to the transom should combine to make it manageable. That's my guess!!! But Hey, I am just an

 

[laurentide]

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

Have you tried to lower the engine while it is solidly mounted...maybe OK once you have it secured...

Quite a few yrs back when I was new to boating I was worried about the same thing. Once it was mounted and the motor was installed on it, it was Way easier to move up and down. Mount it and give it a try it should be O.K. with the 30 or so Lbs that motor weighs.

P.S. I wasn't taking a shot at you with the noobie comment. LOL

I think you'll be surprised once it's mounted. Leverage IS a powerful force. The weight of your motor and the leverage once it's bolted to the transom should combine to make it manageable. That's my guess!!! But Hey, I am just an

Bingo...you guys are right on. Once I got it mounted it slid up and down really nicely.

Here's the rig (bad cell phone photos...sorry):

Up with the motor tilted. This will take the lower unit completely out of the water when under way:

Motor down with bracket up for trailering...maybe:

And the lowest position for running the kicker, water pump well below the hull speed waterline:

Thanks a bunch for the help, guys...I'm glad I didn't alter anything prematurely.

EDIT: In case you're wondering, no, it's not permanently attached yet, hence the gaps against the transom. Ran out of daylight and my 5200 cured in the tube.

 

[laurentide]

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

Next on the project agenda will be to build one of these, a homemade prop protector that keeps downrigger cable and fishing lines out of the kicker prop. $5 in parts from Lowes:

 

[ben2go]

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

Next on the project agenda will be to build one of these, a homemade prop protector that keeps downrigger cable and fishing lines out of the kicker prop. $5 in parts from Lowes:

Just go all the way and build a Kort Nozzle.They add thrust going forward.

 

[StinkinShip]

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

Just go all the way and build a Kort Nozzle.They add thrust going forward.

It's pictures like that that make meak with I had an aluminum bender. Cool Idea!

 

[StinkinShip]

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

By the way motor position looks good. Are you going to tie the two together? If so Force outboard controller ends work good combined with some threaded rod. Plus the pinion nuts attached to them have nuts and bolts attached. So all you have to do is drill a couple of tiny holes somewhere in the motors to attach them. They are quick release as well. May save you a couple of bucks.

 

[laurentide]

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

SS, thanks. I am going to connect the two engines, but with one of these:

It was $30 shipped from iboats during their fall sale. I could've saved a few bucks building my own, but this is pretty cheap and I know it works for my application.

EDIT: The guy who posted that pic of the homemade prop guard just used a propane cylinder to bend the strapping. It's light gauge...no bender needed.

 

[Watermann]

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

Some thing's are better done with more money spent, just about anything to do with the motor is one of those things in my book. Bottom feeding is better served elsewhere in the build. Looking good!

 

[laurentide]

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

Some thing's are better done with more money spent, just about anything to do with the motor is one of those things in my book. Bottom feeding is better served elsewhere in the build. Looking good!

Yeah, agreed, plus I'm not a great fabricator. Thanks! I'll be testing out the little twin this weekend. My optimistic goal is to be able to troll for about $1/hour. We'll see if that's anywhere near reality.

 

[Watermann]

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

Yeah, agreed, plus I'm not a great fabricator. Thanks! I'll be testing out the little twin this weekend. My optimistic goal is to be able to troll for about $1/hour. We'll see if that's anywhere near reality.

The cost in beer and snacks alone would surpass that! :laugh:

 

[jigngrub]

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

My optimistic goal is to be able to troll for about $1/hour.

You do realize that all the fish on Lake Champlain are mocking you right now eh?

 

[laurentide]

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

You do realize that all the fish on Lake Champlain are mocking you right now eh?

That's a step forward from completely ignoring my presentations. I've got perfect September conditions tomorrow, and I already packed my charged camera. Probably a solo mission tomorrow (is it really that hard to meet me at the ramp at 6 on a beautiful Sunday?), but I'll be pulling a couple of new dodgers and flies, and spoon sliders on each line. VT rules are 2 rods per license, and two hooks per rod. That's maxed out for me...hope I bring a few lakers or landlocks into the boat.

 

[rheagler]

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

Good luck tomorrow Chem! Hope you do better on the Lake than I have been doing in the river. The past 3 weeks it's like somebody flipped a switch to turn off the fish!

 

[Weep'n Willy]

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

Fine job on the Cheif. Hopefully she will turn into a productive fishing machine for you. Good luck on the water and lets see some pics of the catch too.

 

[laurentide]

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

Good luck tomorrow Chem! Hope you do better on the Lake than I have been doing in the river. The past 3 weeks it's like somebody flipped a switch to turn off the fish!

Yeah, late summer is tough. I know guys are catching fish here, though. Heard one guy on the radio catching walleye at 1 pm last week!

Fine job on the Cheif. Hopefully she will turn into a productive fishing machine for you. Good luck on the water and lets see some pics of the catch too.

That's the plan, Willy. Thanks. I'm following your Chief rebuild...that's a nice big one.