1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

[tomynoks]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

Here's a few more pics:
1: my living room shop..lol.. It got cold out last night!!
2: Seat mount in place
3: Deck structure
4: The garage right now... need to take a few hours and clean-up!!
5: shows the strbrd side-panel. The flush-mount controls will go here. I put a little hatch up front to access wiring.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

I love the shot of your garage mess, looks like mine about 10 minutes after I clean it!

Hey buddy, what are ya using for flotation anyway?

Cheers!

 

[fshngho]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

Thats one heck of deck support. It even looks like it would hold my fat rear end.
Messy garage??? Uh, take a look at mine and you would be proud of yours. I would have to devote days, not hours, to clean mine. Well, maybe next summer!

 

[tomynoks]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

Jason, Pics at top of this page...I used over 60 pool noodles.. at 250lbs of flotation each, I think I'm good.. Fshngho.. I raised the deck almost a full 2" to install a 25G below-deck fuel tank and make room for 4 batteries as well. I just have 2 more little deck pieces to cover and then controls...and then...THE LAKE!!! Here's a few new pics:

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

Dude, your vinyl install looks great. Super neat!

Just a heads up...

There is no way a noodle can float 250#. I'm pretty sure that rating means a 250# person that by and large already has the ability to float.

Cheers man!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

Like Jason said above, I think the dead weight flotation capability of a noodle is actually something much lower like 30 or something. That being said, I think what you've added will probably be enough to keep her out of Davy Jones' locker.

Nice work on the Nautolex. Looks great!

 

[fshngho]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

A noodle will hold a 250# person, but don't forget that same person is bouyant himself, not like lifting dead weight.
Dude, 4 Batteries??? Are we planning on staying for a week or what?? Hey, I like it, better safe than sorry, but why the 4 batteries? Heck, 3 does me fine with a 24 volt trolling motor for few days without recharging. Just curious my friend. Looks great, don't forget the splash vids!!!!!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

Very nice work, the Shark Nautolex looks great

If you are running 4 electric downriggers I can see the need for 4 batteries

 

[tomynoks]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

Haha!! I have a 24v engine mount trolling motor.. so the big deep cycles are for that alone.. Then the other two are hooked up to a Blue Seas selector switch.. I may eventually buy a 12v trolling motor, but i love the one I have. (Minn Kota 55EM) Yeah I guess the noodles float a 250lb man... hmm...I'll have to check the actually flotation rating.. it must be much more than 30lbs though!! The Nautolex goes down fairly easiley, but I STRONGLY SUGGEST wearing good leather gloves (just ask my blisters!!) You need to stretch it a lot to get a tight fit.. and the leather provides much greater friction and pulling power than bare skin...lol

 

[Triton II]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

Wow, you're really getting on with it Tom, great to see the floor and wall covering so neat and the hinged floor hatch looks sweet.

TII

 

[tomynoks]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

Thanks Triton!! It's gettin' fun now!!! I installed the hinges upside-down and made a 45 degree cut on the edge of each deck piece/hatch to allow for the hinge-pin. I like how it turned out.. the hatches open about 110 degrees. The front one opens into the door-way..so I'll cut a piece to fit into the top of the door-way for a little security.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

Haha!! I have a 24v engine mount trolling motor.. so the big deep cycles are for that alone. Minn Kota 55EM)

No way! Is it this one here with the dual motors...

I have really been thinking about going this route rather than a kicker. So what do ya think about it? Does is have the power you need to push the boat along? How long are a set of dual batteries lasting you?

Cool man!

 

[tomynoks]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

Nope... it's the older style.. like this http://image.sportsmansguide.com/dimage/85897_ts.JPG?cvt=jpeg

I've been out for 2 days with no problems.. It'll push my 18' at about 9mph tops if remember correctly.. it's been almost 2 years since that boat was wet!! The two expensive items on my boat are the trolling motor and the depth finder/GPS... Humminbird 787c...

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

Well shoot, I'd think the dual motor should have no trouble pushing my 22' to the 5 mph range then. Hmmmmmm....

 

[tomynoks]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

WHEWWWWwww... Was out for a week...getting married in Idaho!!! For pics... send me a friend request on Facebook.. http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1171756529
Back to work tomorrow and back to work on the 'craft as well!!

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

Congrats on tying the knot, from now on it will take two to make the decisions.

 

[tomynoks]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

on the boat too??? REALLY??? lol.... She wants it done as bad as I do!!! She loves to boat and fish... hopefully not all the time... Her 7 yo daughter is quite the tom-boy... loves fishing too.... what a BONUS!!

 

[fshngho]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

Congrats Tom!!! I have two grown girls. They have always been (and still are) my fishing buddies. Now you my friend, just like myself,..have two women that will embarrass and show you up when you go fishing/boating.:facepalm:

And I wouldn't trade the memories for the world.

 

[Triton II]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

Good on you Tom. Congratulations to you and your family.

TII

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Chieftain restore

Congrats on the wedding Good thing you already have a sweet family-friendly Starcraft!