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That battery monitor sounds like a good idea. I have a voltmeter but I don't have anything that shows the actual current draw on the system. Might have to add one of those myself. Glad you kept the cool old speedometer, always liked the old school style gauges best. What's the other box bottom...

Nice work on the new helm, looks like it's really coming together. I like the look of the plotter being recessed into it like that. What's the display under the Lowrance? Standalone depth sounder?

Decided to replace a bunch of the loose old rivets on the main runners. Replaced each double with a triple for a little extra strength. Old fashions definitely help rivets seat properly, pro tip lol

That's right on! It'd be better to have these douglas fir beams rot out in however many years than have the salt copper pressure treated wood slowly but surely self destruct the hull! It really is a shame that all the people-huggers just had to "improve" pressure treated wood. The good old...

Thanks, and you're definitely right. I am planning to paint it as I go along, just not yet. Hoping to get it mostly cut and fit together then paint as much as I can. Mold definitely sucks big time so probably will use some Kilz or something on it in subfloor areas. Hoping to rig up some kind of...

And finally- the build begins. Decided to go with 2x10's as a cheap simple solution to quickly and securely raise cockpit deck height while also boxing in the mammoth tanks. This layout will have the tanks nice and low on hull for stability. Putting in a 2' by about 5' piece of 3/4 down each...

While all the ceiling is out I took some pictures of how the windshield appears to be attached by a row of rivets for its leading two edges and a single stainless screw through the aluminum at each rear corner. Not sure if the rivets hold the actual windshield frame itself down or maybe a track...

Rough test fitting of the new flotation blocks. Each is 1.5 cu ft or about 90lbs buoyancy, have 32 so far. Positioned 10 of the rear blocks around engine to try to directly counteract the approx 900lb Mercruiser, the rest I think should be higher, just above original deck height but a foot...

More deconstruction and cleaning prep before flotation installation.

Any ideas on how much more flotation I'll need to add in addition to the 3000lbs worth below?

I didn't know how much would be needed but decided to take advantage of a deal I found on some used styro from equipment packed on pallets. It is just like the original white styro that was in it. I estimated I'd need at least 3000lbs more buoyancy if I could haul that much in the wagon and...

Looking for some advice here. How much flotation do you think is needed to keep this boat floating if it was totally flooded? The two 60g poly fuel tanks even if completely full would provide together 200+ lbs flotation (120gallons @6lbs/gallon -20lbs plastic weight). So lets assume tanks...

Those covers seem to be the same stuff a lot of the older bimini tops are made of. If you found a set of the aluminum bimini top hoops that hold them up typically you'd just have to attach it to it. They sell the snaps as a kit that you can crimp on to things and the buttons can be screwed in...

Lifting hull to center on trailer was successful. Once lifted a little, a ratchet strap and a few good shoves was all it needed. One roller bunk set (right rear) has two axles bent out of alignment and a now completely broken off main pivot bracket! Removed whole assembly for welding repair...

Good thinking! I burned all my collected sawdust over the winter getting coal fires started but I will keep that in mind bc that is definitely a better use and will be generating plenty more of it soon. Luckily the greasy oily stuff is just about gone now.

Wish I had aweigh to weigh the hull myself. Would be great to know: 1. bare hull weight (aluminum and glass only) 2. weight with floors, interior, and transom- without fuel or engine or I/O 3. and fully loaded weight including Mercruiser 888 and 120 gallons of fuel.

Anyone know what the hull weighs approximately when totally empty without floors, motor, transom, etc.? I want to reposition the boat on the trailer because it is seriously ****-eyed at the back and want it resting nice and even on the trailer as she gains all the weight of the new materials...

Ok good, I was hoping it was. In that case looks like I can start laying down new deck boards soon! Figured if it's not- now's definitely the time to add the brackets.

Anyone have pictures of what the factory (or DIY) hull reinforcements look like on these Chieftains?? I know that they added some sort of rib end support on some later hulls and was wondering just how those were attached. This hull appears to have a structural beam each side that connects the...

Thanks, I'll have to try some of those. So far the part that's been toughest to clean is the tar like stuff in bottom of bilge, concentrated only in certain areas. I think it might be oil & styrofoam melted together sludge that slowly congealed and fossilized over the eons of neglect.