Rough and ready '74 Starcraft Chieftan 18' rebuild

[laurentide]

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.

The trailer/tongue looks bigger in the pics. This one came with the boat from the dealer back in '74 I believe, so it's definitely set up for an 18'er. I still have to weigh the tongue, but I think I'm good (I towed this rig with a Subaru ). I don't know what they made the bigger keel rollers out of in the early 70's, but they're in great shape and don't leave marks.

I forgot to snap a pic of the roller arrangement, but you can kind of see that they're closer together in the stern area.

It got too dark for photos, but she's on there:

I had a bit of a mishap :facepalm:. I was using the winch cable to pull the trailer under the blocked up boat, and I guess the boat moved a little too much forward on the blocks and jack stands, so the stern came tumbling down and the trailer tongue shot up. No damage fortunately, as I was on soft dirt. BUT, the "prop saver," which I use to keep rigger cable out of the kicker prop, actually saved the prop and gear case. You can see how it bent up but didn't touch the prop!

That was really dumb, but I can bang out the aluminum on that prop saver. A shortcut that turned into a longcut. Amazingly, my transducer and speed paddle survived the fall.

Next time I'll take the time and block/jack the safe way.

It was too dark to get an image, but I have to find some rollers for my bow stop. It has two 1 1/2" specialty stops that aren't made anymore, so I'm looking for a couple of rollers that width...one is missing and the other is shot. On the plus side the winch has a 4:1 crank ratio, which makes it pretty easy to get it up.

 

[laurentide]

Sorry guys, more boring trailer nonsense here, but it's pretty much behind me and I'm one step closer to worry-free boating.

Here's that weird old Holsclaw bow stop setup:

Here's what the one stop that was still there looked like after 41 years:

I knew I'd never find those parts, so I went to Lowes and got some poly caster wheels. I think they'll work:

I've got the tongue right where it should be, and it's about 300 #s on a bathroom scale. The stern rollers line right up at the transom area:

It definitely doesn't look as big under the Chief:

I got my prop saver banged back out. It's definitely more oval than it used to be :facepalm:, but it clears the prop and will still keep line and cable out. This won't see any high speed operation:

 

[laurentide]

You can see to the right of the 'ducer and paddle where the jack stand ripped through the PVC. Let this be a testament to the bonding capabilities of 5200...it didn't budge. I'm so glad I don't have to replace those units:

Got my SS reconditioned, too. It's truly amazing what a good prop guy can do to an old dinged up screw:

Guess I need one of these...actually already ordered:

Have a great work week, gents.

 

[Watermann]

Frightening events like that are not welcome when it comes to a guys pride n joy.

Oh yeah Chem the Chief looks great on the new tandem :thumb:

 

[laurentide]

Frightening events like that are not welcome when it comes to a guys pride n joy.

Oh yeah Chem the Chief looks great on the new tandem :thumb:

Thanks! It's the only good thing about working on dirt and gravel...you can drop your boat on it and it won't break :lol:

 

[dozerII]

Great job on the trailer upgrade Chem, I can imagine there were a few choice words when the boat fell, glad you were not hurt and no real damage to the Chief.

 

[laurentide]

Hope you guys are enjoying the long weekend. Thanks in part to working like a rented mule at my job and a traffic incident (a dingbat on a cellphone rear-ended our parked car in front of our house), I haven't had nearly the boat time that I'd like. I haven't even launched it yet :grumpy:.

I did get a quick and dirty installation of the TM done. I still need to tidy up the wiring, but it all works.

This is a bummer...$3K in damage, and we still don't know if the driver has insurance. Waiting on the police report:

Bow nav lights are in:

Here's the quick disconnect plug and cable clam deal:

The whole deal can come right off:

And the moment of truth! It works! Turn down the volume because this thing drives my dogs insane!

 

[Decker83]

Sorry to hear about your auto.. Do you have uninsured motorist coverage on your policy?

That is one sweet TM you have..

 

[laurentide]

Sorry to hear about your auto.. Do you have uninsured motorist coverage on your policy?

That is one sweet TM you have..

Hey Decker, thanks!

We have full collision on it, but we're hoping to avoid the $500 deductible and rental fees. We do have uninsured coverage as well. I'm glad no one was hurt and it wasn't a pedestrian or cyclist. Still a pain, though. It's scary out there now that everyone has a smartphone.

 

[jbcurt00]

Bummer about the 4wheel ride, great looking water taxi though..... That TM is a beast.

 

[laurentide]

Bummer about the 4wheel ride, great looking water taxi though..... That TM is a beast.

Thanks jb!

 

[Watermann]

Now that is one high tech TM, nice job on the install!

 

[laurentide]

Now that is one high tech TM, nice job on the install!

Thanks watermann! I'm almost there. Just need to install some led strips, recaulk the splashwell due to the fuel leak issue, and clean up. Unfortunately I'm back to work today :cold:. Hopefully the weather cooperates for a Friday shakedown.

 

[dozerII]

Great job on the T/M install , those things are awesome, so is the pooch voicing his approval

 

[hayko1971]

Very nice trolling motor!!

 

[GA_Boater]

Sucks about the Subbie, Chem.

Looks like you got a Google self-driver TM there. Punch Home on the GPS and drink beer til you bump the dock. :joyous:

 

[laurentide]

Great job on the T/M install , those things are awesome, so is the pooch voicing his approval

Very nice trolling motor!!

Sucks about the Subbie, Chem.

Looks like you got a Google self-driver TM there. Punch Home on the GPS and drink beer til you bump the dock. :joyous:

Thanks guys! GA, that's pretty much the idea! Set GPS waypoints, run it at 3-4 power with the kicker in gear, and fish! There may be a couple of adult beverages on the way in.

 

[GA_Boater]

When you activate the TM, does this happen?

 

[astor]

thats really cool! Nice install, I want one

 

[laurentide]

When you activate the TM, does this happen?

:lol: yep, that's my fishing partner!

thats really cool! Nice install, I want one

Thanks astor! I'm excited to put it to use.

Off topic, but all of you guys have one of these, right? 'Cause they're wicked awesome! Jump starter, electronics power source, flashlight, distress signal...charge lasts for weeks. There are several manufacturers now. :thumb: