1973 Chieftan

Leinieman

Cadet
Joined
Jul 12, 2012
Messages
9
Just wondering what a good asking price is for a 1973 with a 115 Evinrude OB. I'm helping out for a non-profit and would like to sell the boat but not sure what to ask. I'm going to try to add a photo also. The motor runs and the boat had 1100.00 put into it in 2009 for many item. It will be a project boat as the floor needs replacing and seats and a lot of cleaning. The trailer and tires seem good and the hull and the transom seems plenty solid. Would asking $2000.00 be a good price? P1010083.JPGP1010095.JPGP1010085.JPGP1010086.JPGP1010091.JPG
 

Bwana Don

Lieutenant Commander
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Oct 20, 2009
Messages
1,951
Re: 1973 Chieftan

It seems a bit high, imho. Over a thousand though, the 115 is worth some dough. I say ask $1700 and take $1500.

If it needs a floor it needs a transom.
 

Leinieman

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Jul 12, 2012
Messages
9
Re: 1973 Chieftan

Thanks for the quick reply. I think the floor is shot but the transom does seam solid. Maybe it was replaced already more recently or something. This would need to be rewired (or at least I would do that) I guess I would completly tear it down and rebuild. the glass is all good and it even has a cool horn. I'll try a few more photo's. My photo's didn't come out the way I was hopeing or how I see them on other threads. Oh well it will just take some practice. P1010094.JPG
 

CheapboatKev

Vice Admiral
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Oct 4, 2008
Messages
5,813
Re: 1973 Chieftan

be carefull as to how much time & $$$ you are going to put into her.
You may not (being nice here) recoup it.
There are a lot of these out there..take a look at our SC on CL thread.
I would say ask 1,800..take 1,500
 

Stevens520

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 26, 2011
Messages
250
Re: 1973 Chieftan

I'm guessing it's probably going to need the transom done too. Same issue with my boat;soft floors, and the more poking around I do near the transom, the more spots I find. Then there's the spots you can't see, and that's usually where the worst damage is.
 

Leinieman

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Jul 12, 2012
Messages
9
Re: 1973 Chieftain

Re: 1973 Chieftain

Thanks for the replies. I don't think I will rebuild it I was just wondering on what I should be asking for it when I do list it for sale. It was donated to a non profit org and I will sell it and 100% of the proceeds go to them. I have done my Alumacraft and it wasn't all that expensive but it does take a lot of time. Even though it took a lot of time it was fun and rewarding watching it come together. I think If I were to put 1500.00 into it and a lot of hours it would be pretty nice so 1500 for boat and 1500 into it would only mean having 3000 into a nice boat and trailer.
 

Leinieman

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Joined
Jul 12, 2012
Messages
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Re: 1973 Chieftan

Hey CheapboatKev can you point me to SC on CL thread. I'm new and don't know what you mean.

Thanks
 

jasoutside

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2009
Messages
13,269
Re: 1973 Chieftan

Hi Leinieman!

I dunno...

On the positive, you have a great hull on a decent looking trailer. The OB strikes me as an electric shift and the whole rest of the rig needs a total rebuild. Plus, you are in WI were boats o plenty. I think at anything in the $1K+ range you'd have a very difficult time selling.

My guess, it could sell in the sub $1K range. You'd be marketing that boat to a very specific group of guys, members the old metal boat rebuilders club. So, maybe $500 to $800. If that engine is perfect, maybe a little more.
 

Bwana Don

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 20, 2009
Messages
1,951
Re: 1973 Chieftan

Put it up for sale at say $1700. If it doesn't sell in a week, drop it to $1600, next week $1500, and so on. Depends on how much time you have. Come fall it's gonna be a lot harder to sell. Come winter you might as well hang on to her.

Can you fire up the motor? If you can you'll get more money for her, especially if you can run it on muffs for potential buyers.
 

Leinieman

Cadet
Joined
Jul 12, 2012
Messages
9
Re: 1973 Chieftan

Thanks for the link. New to site and couldn't find it. I now have the boat listed on C-list on the Minneapolis and Eau Claire sites. I started at 1800.00 and will see what happens. Like someone said I can always lower it later. All proceeds to go to the non-profit.
If it doesn't sell I may end up rebuilding it. I wish there was a little more room in the back though. Has anyone ever removed the three feet of splashwell to make more room?
 

jasoutside

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2009
Messages
13,269
Re: 1973 Chieftan

3' of splashwell removed you say? Well, not unless you go with a outboard bracket. MichaelP reduced his splashwell by about a foot though, you can check his project for those details.
 

Leinieman

Cadet
Joined
Jul 12, 2012
Messages
9
Re: 1973 Chieftan

I was strechig a bit. Not sure how large it is but seems like a good place to get some room from.
Thanks
 

Leinieman

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Joined
Jul 12, 2012
Messages
9
Re: 1973 Chieftan

I'm just going by what the title says on it Starcraft Chieftan. Is one better than the other? I guess if you are looking for a 21 foot inboard then I would buy it before someone else does. I'm selling for a non-profit as the boat was donated and I would like to make as much possible for them. I can always come down a little when a decent offer comes in. I'm sure the trailer should be worth 500 then that would make the boat only 300 if I was to sell for 800. Or you could play with numbers and say 400 for each but seems too cheap to me. Heck if the right person comes along that wants a project boat and can't tow it I may even deliver it for them.
 

barato2

Commander
Joined
Dec 7, 2010
Messages
2,956
Re: 1973 Chieftan

they're more or less similar but the chieftain is 21/22' and the Starchief is a truncated version at 18'4". he's right, it is a Starchief regardless of what the title says (State boat titling seems to be chock full of errors). and your estimate of $500 value for that trailer is, er, generous. you gotta be realistic, this is a nearly 40 yr old boat that needs hull-up resto. good luck with your efforts!

maybe you should just keep her and restore her yourself......we'll help
 

Leinieman

Cadet
Joined
Jul 12, 2012
Messages
9
Re: 1973 Chieftan

Yep keeping the boat has crossed my mine several times. I do most of my fishing out of Algoma on Lake Michigan and this boat is larger and has a cuddy to put stuff. I have to first try and sell it and for as much as possible then I'll drop the priice more and more and when I can't take it no longer buy it and make a winter project out of it. I see other trailers for sale for around 500 so if the trailer is worth that and I sell the whole works for 800 that means I only get 400 for each. II'll drop down to 1500 next or best offer and see what happens. I did see a thread here somewhere on onother 18 foot chieftan I'll go climb around boat and see if I can find a tag somewhere.
 

Leinieman

Cadet
Joined
Jul 12, 2012
Messages
9
Re: 1973 Chieftan

Climbed around boat and found a couple of tags. I just reduced the price on craigslist to $1500.00
Anyone interested?
 

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