Rough and ready '74 Starcraft Chieftan 18' rebuild

[laurentide]

I'm attempting a fix...please hold :facepalm:

 

[laurentide]

Thanks for the kind words, GA, I think I just got impatient with the server response up there...and here too! It's wicked slow as us New Englanders say.

 

[Watermann]

That TM is super massive and it looks like you went the extra mile to keep her locked down tight up front there. :thumb:

I'm interested in seeing how the extra weight up on the bow effects your Chief with the small OB. I'm thinking it will help your boat control say if there's some side wind while trolling not to mention that is the top of the line in TMs. So what's the thrust on that mammer jammer again? It may get that Chief up on a plane by the way it looks :lol:

 

[GA_Boater]

I'm attempting a fix...please hold :facepalm:

Don't worry about it, Chem. The forums went wonky for a few. Seems better now.

Wonder what kinda holeshot if Chem drops the TM and goes WOT with both motors. :lol: Does that make her a plug-in hybrid? :watermelon:

 

[laurentide]

H20, it's an 80# thrust with a 60" shaft. It's basically a Terrova with a deploy motor and belt driven trim.

I actually removed the smart tabs because I want to see how the extra weight forward affects the ride on plane. I'm wary of too much stern lift with the new forward weight in following seas, when bow steer is a concern. They'll be easy to reinstall if it's not a huge factor, which I'm hoping for because I like the tabs a lot.

 

[Watermann]

Yeah I was wondering about the stern height, good idea checking it out with the tabs removed. I like how easy those Nauticus tabs are to remove or adjust.They would also create some drag against the TM being deployed in the down position but that could help with the low speed wander too. I adjusted my tabs one notch to lessen the pressure and drag, they seemed to work just as good but let the boat dig in a little more when turning.

Although the smart tabs are a necessity for my Chief with that 800 Lb Gorilla in the stern.

 

[laurentide]

Don't worry about it, Chem. The forums went wonky for a few. Seems better now.

Wonder what kinda holeshot if Chem drops the TM and goes WOT with both motors. :lol: Does that make her a plug-in hybrid? :watermelon:

Hey, I'm pretty green when I shut off the 2 stroke! Let's see, I plug it in, it has an electric motor and a couple of internal combustions...yep, hybrid!

 

[dozerII]

Great job on the T/M install Chem, can't wait to see your video of the launch and retrieve from the dock

 

[classiccat]

Great progress on the Chief there Chem!!! With all of that top-notch gear, I have a feeling a V4 is in the cards

This setup is awesome! :madgrin:

I'll be using something similar for my bluecat river setup....I may be buggin' ya once I get to that point in the project

 

[laurentide]

Great job on the T/M install Chem, can't wait to see your video of the launch and retrieve from the dock

You know I'm gonna try it!

Great progress on the Chief there Chem!!! With all of that top-notch gear, I have a feeling a V4 is in the cards

This setup is awesome! :madgrin:

I'll be using something similar for my bluecat river setup....I may be buggin' ya once I get to that point in the project

Of course, you know where to find me!

If I do repower at some point it will most likely be to a gently used 4 stroke Merc. That way I can ditch the kicker and keep it simple...you can lower the idle RPM's on those for slow trolling. Maybe when that time comes the current 115's will be on the used market. They weigh the same as my 70 2 stroke plus 4s kicker...350ish pounds. A guy can dream...

 

[laurentide]

Well here's what's going on here.

Got the Holsclaw welded solid...no more tilt.

They added a cross-member and some fat welds in the former hinge area ($100).

Now for some wire wheel action, a good cleaning and a Rusto rattle can job. Ready for new bearings:

This stuff is no fun, but I'll have a functioning and weight appropriate trailer under the chief tomorrow afternoon. See you then!

You can never have too many cinder blocks and scrap lumber when you swap trailers. I couldn't do the trailer to trailer because I'm recycling the roller hardware from the single to the tandem.

 

[g0nef1sshn]

Thats a unique tandem. Pretty cool with the spring action going on.

 

[laurentide]

Thats a unique tandem. Pretty cool with the spring action going on.

Yep, coil springs and shocks with linkage between the axles. It's definitely more complex than a leaf trailer, but the ride is about as smooth as you can get. It has old fashioned roller bunks, too, which support the hull a little more uniformly than the more modern rollers. It's a big upgrade over my maxed out single axle.

 

[jbcurt00]

Nice work getting the trailer welded up. Looks like it'll be a great Chief chariot

 

[laurentide]

Hey guys, I've got a keel roller question. When I load this thing up, should I just leave the keel rollers loose and then snug to the keel when loaded?

The roller bunks are already adjusted to this hull.

Thanks!

I have a feeling I'm going to be happy with this trailer. I don't think you even have to get the bearings wet when loading/launching, and no need for trailer guides or waders in cold water.

 

[g0nef1sshn]

Looks great, Id snug them keel rollers up once loaded like you said.

 

[Watermann]

Morning Chem, you'll need to put some weight on them, especially the front one otherwise the bow stop will be forced to take the weight. What I did was use my floor jack under the keel roller bracket to move it to where it needed to be, not too much but not too little and then tightened down the bolts. I'm not sure that roller on the tongue will even be needed.

 

[laurentide]

Thanks guys...yeah, I forgot to mention that there are 3 more keel rollers to go on. I'll use the jack method. Cheers!

 

[g0nef1sshn]

That jack makes sense. Would have never thought about that.

 

[Watermann]

Thanks guys...yeah, I forgot to mention that there are 3 more keel rollers to go on. I'll use the jack method. Cheers!

Whoa 3 more rollers up the line, sounds like you may need to drop that winch tower back a ways if that tongue is that long. While you have the trailer there with everything in the open I would soak all of the rubber rollers with some 303 Aerospace protectant a couple times before saddling up the Chief. Especially if they have the beginnings of some weather checking.