1972 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

[Huron Angler]

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

Wow nice work, that thing is shiny

I'm starting to think about getting mine back to bare metal now too, I really like the look of it.

Did you buy another boat just to store the 9.9 johnnyrude on? That's a great storage idea

 

[boatnut74]

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

Did you buy another boat just to store the 9.9 johnnyrude on? That's a great storage idea

No, thats actually the first boat I ever bought. 1990 17' Crestliner with '89 110 Evinrude. Not a Starcraft but stil a tinny. I figured that 9.9 Johnnyrude would work good for trolling.

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

Great looking project you have, It looks real good with the bare aluminum.
Glen

 

[Jayb123]

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

Nice Chieftan BN... I just read through your thread. Its starting to look like the very *elusive* and exclusive Delorean Chieftan

 

[boatnut74]

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

Did some stripping on the port side and transom today. Still need to go over it with another coat of stripper and the scrub brush but its progress anyway. Had my hands full with household projects today but got to spend a little time with her. Have a great Sunday guys.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

Had my hands full with household projects today but got to spend a little time with her.

Sounds a whole lot like my world

Good progress man!

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

Your level of motivation and energy appear incredible. My hat's off to you for restoring a really good performing classic boat. This is one of those boats you can camp in and cruise the rivers for a 100 miles.

Until I pulled out the engine on my Mercruiser boat, I didn't realize that they were only held in by two tapered washer/bolts on the back and a few wood screws under the front motor mount. Re-installation is a different matter, however. If you put in a thicker floor, you'll probably have to adjust the front motor mount before dropping in the engine. Don't forget to use the splined alignment tool from the backend when you reinstall the motor--or, you'll eat that rubber doughnut connector.

You'll shortly have to figure out how to apply paint on an aluminum boat. I don't have any idea what primers, etc. will be required. I bet it's going to look nice, however.

 

[boatnut74]

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

You'll shortly have to figure out how to apply paint on an aluminum boat. I don't have any idea what primers, etc. will be required. I bet it's going to look nice, however.

Hey thanks for stopping by!. Ya aluminum is a little tricky to paint. I work with a guy who used to paint aircraft so I've been asking him a ton of questions. After I get it down to bare aluminum ill scuff it up with 320 then ill use alodine to anodize it which will help the zinc chromate primer stick better. After a light coat with the zinc chromate its pretty straight forward just priming and painting.

 

[KellyC]

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

The thicker floor should not affect how your motor mounts if it is like mine. The front motor mounts are attached to the sstringers in the bottom of the hull by a piece of wood that goes between the stringers. The motor actually sits somewhat below the deck of the boat. But yea do use the alignment tool for sure.

Just have to do what you can as you can, at least that is how mine is going. I have no splash date and as long as I go that route I am hoping that I take the time to get things done right the first time.

 

[boatnut74]

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

Kelly, mine sits on the stringers as well so the thicker floor shouldn't be an issue. I got 90 percent of the port side finished up today. Turned out pretty nice. I really like the look of the bare aluminum but have to many imperfections I need to fix so ill just end up painting it like originally planned.

I was really worried the Powered By Mercruiser decal would get ruined in the stripping process but it didn't effect it at all. I was super stoked!

Progress is going to be slow for the next few months as I have alot of things to catch up on at home plus we have a little boy due in June. When he arrives I'm going to take some time off from work to try to catch up on stuff. I've also been working on a skidloader for someone I work with. Have had all kinds of problems with it and am currently trying to put a different engine in it. In trade for my work he's giving me a 22' tri-hull cabin cruiser. Only downside is its fiberglass but its pretty cool looking and in good shape. It's a 72 and has been stored inside since about 85. Heres what I'm working with :facepalm:

 

[boatnut74]

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

Took a little time today and finished stripping the port side and transom and also removed the gimbal housing and transom plate. All those componets will get media blasted and powdercoated

Finished tearing out the remainder of the floor as well. All the floor pieces came out in whole pieces so should work nice as templates.

Underneath the floor I found a metal tag. I assume it was mouted at the helm originally but not for sure. I thought it was pretty neat. What do u guys think?

 

[yooperangler]

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

Great looking boat and nice progress that stripper sure makes it look shiny. Are those holes in the bow where the cannons go ? Cabin ventilation ? cowl induction ? headlight bezels?

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

I have a stripping job just ahead of me and your work is inspiring!

 

[boatnut74]

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

Great looking boat and nice progress that stripper sure makes it look shiny. Are those holes in the bow where the cannons go ? Cabin ventilation ? cowl induction ? headlight bezels?

Ya thats where the cannons go. Whenever a glasser gets in the way I shoot 'em down . Ya the stripper works alot better than I thought it would.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

Ya thats where the cannons go. Whenever a glasser gets in the way I shoot 'em down .

I'd say that is an excellent use of your cabin space and access ports.

 

[yooperangler]

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

Ya thats where the cannons go. Whenever a glasser gets in the way I shoot 'em down . Ya the stripper works alot better than I thought it would.

Glasser demolition pics are mandatory with posts like this

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

Re: 1972 starcraft chieftain

BN, that is looking real nice, they sure do shine with no paint. How much time would you say you have in stripping the paint?
Glen

 

[boatnut74]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

Glen, Its hard to tell as I did it over several days a little at a time and was also doing other stuff while the stripper worked, but if I had to guess I would say 5 to 6 hours. Thats for the sides and transom, I have yet to do the top and bottom.

 

[motorpsykler]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

This is going to be a fun restoration to watch. You've got a lot of square footage to deal with, that boat looks big! Keep up the good work, you'll really have something cool when it's finished.

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

Glen, Its hard to tell as I did it over several days a little at a time and was also doing other stuff while the stripper worked, but if I had to guess I would say 5 to 6 hours. Thats for the sides and transom, I have yet to do the top and bottom.

Thanks BN, that is not very long, I have been sanding on my SS for more time than that and I still have the top and bottom to do, I just finnished the sides and transom.
Glen