Value of a 1970 StarCraft Chieftain

[JbonesRiver]

Hello,
I went and looked at a 18’ 1974 StarCraft chieftain yesterday. It has no motor but otherwise is in decent shape. I was thinking about buying it as a project boat. The owner is asking $3K (Canadian)for it and trailer- he is putting new rubber on the trailer this week before I Purchase. My question is. Is this a good deal? Hull looks great- may need transom plywood.. After I finish the work and find a decent motor to power it.. do you guys think I will still come out ahead? I love the boats- Dad has a 25’ footer when I was a young lad. I think it would be a fun project. The owner is a 91yo retired police officer. Thanks see attached pics

 

[jhande]

Welcome to the forum!

I don't know much about boats but I do know a bit about old cars.
There's basically two ways to look at it, book value or the value to you.
I've been out of the game for awhile but I'm now helping my son with his decisions on old cars and trucks. He's been bugging for an old muscle car similar to the ones I had back in the day. My tips and pointers for him...
How much will it cost you in the end after rebuilding?
How much would it cost to buy one already restored?
Is it something you really really want or fix it, drive it then sale it?
Can you do most of the work or need to send it out?
Are parts available?
Don't forget to add your man hours to the cost of the build.

 

[jbcurt00]

W out a motor, IMO, not a 3K Canadian boat, or $2500USD esp if it needs work...

But its getting to be a sellers market, new & used boats for sale are becoming harder to find AND its going into summer in North America, so prices are trending up.

Might hit him at $2000 and hope to land close to $2500.

If that boat needs a transom, expect it to need a deck, if he replaced the deck, be suspicious he did it correctly.

Does that boat tick off all your need boxes.... if so, its worth more to you then it does to me.

 

[matt167]

Being an 18' chief outboard I'd have to say he can probably get $3k for it as it's one of the more popular and rare hulls.

 

[ski2rule]

How many years has it been exposed to weather with the cover off the shelter? As mentioned may need new deck. I would start at $2000.
Looks like a Starchief - mine is a 1963

 

[matt167]

Starchief was early 60's, the Chieftan was the next generation of the same boat

 

[JbonesRiver]

Thanks everyone for the reply’s. It has been covered under a temporary garage shelter. They had removed the cover for the showing. Can find major no signs of water damage on interior. It has been fairly well maintained as far as I can tell.. I already offered $2500.. don’t think he will come down from $3000..

 

[JbonesRiver]

I think I’ll go for it! They are rare to find in this shape- especially within 1 1/2 hour drive from home.

 

[matt167]

If your looking for strictly resale, probably NOT.. Your going to need at least 90-100hp to make it happy... But that is a rare boat and it WILL sell. especially with the shift to outboards

 

[ski2rule]

Starchief was early 60's, the Chieftan was the next generation of the same boat

I was under the impression the Starchief was the 18' model and built into the mid 70's and the Chieftain was available in a 22' or 25' model.

 

[JimS123]

The trailer looks marginally adequate. Plus, those small tires may not have enough capacity. The rollers probably need to be replaced as well.

Looks like it needs a lot of work. After refurbishing it , you'll have more into it than it is worth. It may be a seller's market now, but once covid restrictions are lifted, the used boat market will crash.

Buy it only if you gotta have it, and you aren't concerned about the price.

 

[matt167]

I was under the impression the Starchief was the 18' model and built into the mid 70's and the Chieftain was available in a 22' or 25' model.

You may be right. I just looked and at least up to 1969 they were Starchief but continued some time after 1970 as a Chieftan.

 

[JbonesRiver]

UPDATE- I told the man yesterday I would be over budget after I put a motor on & said thanks anyways... He just messaged me back now and offed it to me for $2000(with new tires on trailer). Now what do you guys think? I’m pretty excited. - not trying to flip it to make money. Also don’t want to sink more money than it’s worth in.. when/if I decide to sell it. Thanks - John

 

[JimS123]

UPDATE- I told the man yesterday I would be over budget after I put a motor on & said thanks anyways... He just messaged me back now and offed it to me for $2000(with new tires on trailer). Now what do you guys think? I’m pretty excited. - not trying to flip it to make money. Also don’t want to sink more money than it’s worth in.. when/if I decide to sell it. Thanks - John

When restoring an old boat, if you do it right and make it safe, it will always be worth less than what you put into it.

 

[briangcc]

I'd look at motor prices before pulling the trigger. I know I had sticker shock years ago when I bought my Honda and had it rigged on the Bayliner - was around $10k out the door with trading in my Force outboard which had maybe 40 hours on it. And that was 21 years ago.

 

[jhande]

Been searching around here for a used kicker motor around 9.9 HP. WOW prices are high. What I'm mostly finding is old antique crap that don't even run. I have noticed a few higher HP motors and they're going for $1,500 and up and that's for old 2-cycles that need work.

So yeah, check motor prices before you jump in.

 

[ski2rule]

For $2000 i would likely buy it if it was near me if the hull was in decent condition. My 63 came with a 1978 evinrude 90hp V4 that has been troubled free. Keep your eye open for a used engine similar or newer.

 

[JimS123]

I'd look at motor prices before pulling the trigger. I know I had sticker shock years ago when I bought my Honda and had it rigged on the Bayliner - was around $10k out the door with trading in my Force outboard which had maybe 40 hours on it. And that was 21 years ago.

New motors are likely sold out for the model year. A good used one is selling for more than its worth. way too much junk out there right now, all in need of repair.