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    1980 Holiday 181

    The fellow I got the boat from gave me the contact info of a guy that has a good supply of OMC engines and outdrives. He’s in his 80’s and wants to get rid of the stuff so his kids won’t have to do it when he’s gone. I’ll be giving him a call to see what he has. I’m also keeping my eyes open for...
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    Post a pic of your starcraft!

    The Chieftain is home!! It has part of the original canopy with it. anyone with a chieftain express have the full enclosure? I’d like to see how the side curtains fit. On this it looks like the top of the side curtains would have a thick piping that slides into a channel on the hardtop then...
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    1980 Holiday 181

    The chieftain is safely parked in my driveway. I can’t believe how tall it is compared to the house. It’s definitely going to be a fun project worthy of it’s own rebuilt thread. I’m hoping that Sunday I can get the Holiday out on Lake Superior for a shakedown run then get it winterized and put...
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    Post a pic of your starcraft!

    My second Starcraft this summer. Haven’t even splashed the first but it was an even trade for a motorcycle. It’s a 1975 express model with an OMC 165hp stringer. Definitely not my first choice for propulsion. If it doesn’t work I’ll find a donor boat with a Mercruiser or put on a bracket and...
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    1980 Holiday 181

    The Holiday is on hold for the next little while. My elderly mother has been in and out of the hospital quite a few times over the last couple of weeks. My wife had a fall and is having trouble getting around, I still have to find time to do wheel bearings on both our 4x4’s and I still need to...
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    1980 Holiday 181

    The fellow with the Chieftain texted me today and wants to go ahead with the trade. I feel it to be a fair deal as I’m sure he could turn around and have the bike sold very quickly. i paid $300, put mirrors, speedometer cable and repainted it with paint from a previous job years ago. Seeing as...
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    1980 Holiday 181

    I think I will pick up a set. A local hardware store sells them for $35. Not a big investment and can be stored easily in the box hatch of my truck.
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    1980 Holiday 181

    I went and looked at the Chieftain this evening. The 165hp motor looks ok and doesn’t show any signs of a cracked block or manifold. The hull is in really good shape as is the upper structure. The owner says the person he got it from had the outdrive gone through and was told it is good. The...
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    1980 Holiday 181

    I’m considering going that route but after looking at the trailer, I would probably just wire a new set of lights on and it’s done as I would probably be keeping it for Lake Superior and the holiday for my place on an inland lake.
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    1980 Holiday 181

    I’m going to look at the 22’ Chieftain this evening. The fellow is asking $1500 for it but said he may trade for my motorcycle. I chatted with him last night and he told me that anyone that looked at it was expecting a turnkey boat. I let him know that I realized it’s a project (as stated in his...
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    1980 Holiday 181

    The pump sits in some type of base. The pump was laying off to the side and wouldn’t turn. I spun the impeller and freed it up. Maybe I just didn’t get it into the base properly. Not much room under the engine to work I’m ready to test the boat but would definitely like a working bilge pump...
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    1980 Holiday 181

    I have the seats and engine cover in place for the time being. I’m now at the point where I want to try it out before moving onto putting flooring in. My bilge pump spins but for some reason doesn’t pump water out so I’ll be looking into either repair or replacing it. I’m hoping to have the...
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    1980 Holiday 181

    Do you know which years the Chieftain was produced? I’ve been searching around the net but it always comes up with the islander on my searches.
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    1980 Holiday 181

    This is the boat. Listed as a 1980 but I doubt it because there is no through prop exhaust. I’m thinking 1970. Can anyone confirm?
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    1980 Holiday 181

    I messaged the guy with the Chieftain to see if he’s interested in a trade for a motorcycle. He said he had someone coming to look at it but is definitely interested. Damn this is a slippery slope.
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    Boat canopy material

    I have a 1980 Starcraft holiday I picked up for $500. The boat has the original white vinyl top on it. The top and side curtains are in good shape except for the yellowing of the clear plastic windows and one small tear about 1” long in the rear of the top. I really like the top as it reflects...
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    1980 Holiday 181

    Have the fuel tank and battery hold down back in place. Tomorrow I’ll clean the bilge out really good and install the new panel in front of the engine. Tonight I’m removing the carpet from the seat bases, reattaching a couple of loose corner braces then will sand and seal them with this marine...
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    1980 Holiday 181

    A Starcraft Chieftain 22’ came up for sale locally as a project boat. Has the 165hp OMC. The outdrive is off but it is there. Also comes with a trailer. He’s asking $1500. Also locally an 18SS with 140hp OMC asking $2000. Already down from $2500. I’m definitely watching the Chieftain
  19. T

    1980 Holiday 181

    My pneumatic rivet gun came on Sunday and I now have the floor boards in permanently. I am still out on whether to use a pull or a finger hole for the hatch but that’s really just being a little picky. This evening I’ll replace the broken ignition switch, cut a new piece of plywood for the...
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    1980 Holiday 181

    Good idea. I have a small single step Rubbermaid stepper I can toss up under the bow. I’ll probably end up using an aluminum ramp for the dogs and stow it in the water ski hatch.
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