1975 Chieftain Express

[mccurtis]

I am thinking of buying a 1975 Chieftain Express. It has a 351 Ford in it that is 233 hp. Engine has 484 hours on it but hasn't been run for years. It has been stored in a barn. The inside of the boat , floor and seats need to be redone. The transome appears to be ok.

Any imput/comments from you all would be much appreciated.

MC

 

[starcrafter65]

Re: 1975 Chieftain Express

That is one big boat!!! How much do they want for it? Everything you mention can easily be fixed/reno if you are handy....
Seats - $400-1000
Floor - $400-600 on that big a boat
All plus your time
See how much help the trailer needs - bearings, winch, rollers, tires, electric - you can often dump an easy $500 into a trailer to make it road worthy again.
As far as the drive train - I tend to be no as scared of the I/O's as some - the motor might need a valve/ring job - but any local shop can do that - but alternator/battery/starter can all add up - I would count on those needing rebuilds - solenoids etc. The carb will need to be cleaned.
Make sure their are no winterization issues.
As far as the outdrive - same thing - is it cracked - count on 300-500 to put new cables/bellows/impeller in if everything elese is cool.

All above is easy to do - but add it up so you know what you are dealing with.

Read this pack of threads:http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=385090
Is everything there and work? Bilge pump, lights, gauges, trim and tilt

 

[mccurtis]

Re: 1975 Chieftain Express

Clark
The trailer has been serviced -new tires, wheel bearings, etc..... I know in 2006 the out drive billows and shift cables were changed but it may need to be redone.

I notice you have a Nassau. I have a 1966 Nassau as well I need to restoe it. Do you have any leads on a windshield for it?

 

[mccurtis]

Re: 1975 Chieftain Express

Does anyone out there in Starcraft land own a Starcraft Chieftain Express? If so what do you think about it? Pros ----- Cons ------

 

[KellyC]

Re: 1975 Chieftain Express

Don't own one but if one like that came along for a good price I would be all over it. Love the looks of that big girl buddy.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1975 Chieftain Express

Any imput/comments from you all would be much appreciated.

Two questions come to mind...

What is the asking price on that gigantic, super awesome piece of aluminum?

Are you up for the challenge of rebuilding a house that has been shoehorned into a boat?

She is a beauty

 

[jetstreakdave]

Re: 1975 Chieftain Express

very nice. lots of work. I am doing mine over right now. Floor covering going in this weekend. Check out your fuel tanks for rust. I sent mine out and had them coated.$300.00 It has 2 15 gal gunnel tanks.

 

[starcrafter65]

Re: 1975 Chieftain Express

No extra windshields laying around....lots of extra nits and bolts...wonder where they go....that Nassau was one cute little ripper with that 80 HP merc- sold it to a guy on Long Island...

 

[mccurtis]

Re: 1975 Chieftain Express

I can buy the boat for $2000.00. I thought the entire floor was in need of replacement but it is not. Only the flooring in the stern has to be replaced as well as side panels, carpet and seats..

 

[starcrafter65]

Re: 1975 Chieftain Express

Well for 2 bells - thats alot of boat - if you don't have to put alot of $ in right away ......probably in good shape!!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1975 Chieftain Express

Only the flooring in the stern has to be replaced as well as side panels, carpet and seats..

I am such an all or nothing guy. If that much is coming out ^^^^^ than it's all coming out. Might as well, eh.

Anyway, if the stern side floor is bad and the panels are bad, than the foam underneath has to be nasty. Likely the rest of the wood has some form of rot too. Pretty hard to heal that stuff.

Can he, or is he willing to, get the engine running for you? Compression test at least? If not, I would prolly just assume you are buying the boat that needs a whole new driveline. "Ran great last time she was out" has it's limitations. So, $2K for a GIGANTIC project hull and trailer. Kinda pricy for a bottom feeder like me. Now, if the 351 can run, that is quite a bit better.

But that is just me. I do love that big girl.

 

[mccurtis]

Re: 1975 Chieftain Express

Hi Clark - I think I will have to put anywhere from $1500 to $1800 unless the engine needs alot of work but it appears to be in good shape. I am glad the trailer is in great shape and has new tires.

By the way I really like your Holiday. I am rebuilding a 1968 right now. I just got the engine back together this week hopefully I will get to install it soon.

 

[starcrafter65]

Re: 1975 Chieftain Express

Hi Clark - I think I will have to put anywhere from $1500 to $1800 unless the engine needs alot of work but it appears to be in good shape. I am glad the trailer is in great shape and has new tires.

By the way I really like your Holiday. I am rebuilding a 1968 right now. I just got the engine back together this week hopefully I will get to install it soon.

Pics brother!!! Pics!!!

 

[mccurtis]

Re: 1975 Chieftain Express

Clark - I will post a picture of the holiday later today when I get home from work - MC

 

[mccurtis]

Re: 1975 Chieftain Express

Here is another pictuure of the 1975 Chieftain Express.

 

[mccurtis]

Re: 1975 Chieftain Express

Does anyone know if the floor in the cuddy cabin can be lowered like an islander?

MC

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1975 Chieftain Express

Does anyone know if the floor in the cuddy cabin can be lowered like an islander?

MC

Huh? Whatcha talking about mc?

 

[mccurtis]

Re: 1975 Chieftain Express

Hey jasoutside

I have a 1971 islander and you step down one step when entering the cuddy cabin.

I was wondering if anyone knew if I could lower the floor one step down in the cuddy cabin of the Chieftain Express which would give the cabin more head room.

I am seriously thinking of buying this beautiful vessel.

MC

More pictures ..............

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1975 Chieftain Express

Hey jasoutside

I have a 1971 islander and you step down one step when entering the cuddy cabin.

Ah, now I see what you are saying....

Yah sure you could. It would be a custom rebuild though. It would take you some time to figure the step down and still accomodate the whole rest of the cabin the was previously sitting on that deck. But ya, it certainly could be done given some good engineering/carpentry.

 

[mccurtis]

Re: 1975 Chieftain Express

I wish I could find somone who knew how much space air space was under the deck Because as the deck sits now it is on the same level throughout the whole boat. With dropping the deck down in the cuddy one might be able to stand erect depending on how tall they were.