Re: 1976 Starcraft Chieftain 25 MK IV
Well...my rig is only partially restored...but I have been doing what you said
I will say that if I had a 25' rig I'd want three batteries myself. You have the room and weight capacity so might as well have peace of mind to go with it!
I'd actually want one crank-start and two deep-cycle since I know I'd be adding all sorts of electronics to a cabin cruiser like that. One of those Minn Kotas that attach to the motor's outdrive would be ideal on your boat too(just cost lots of $$).
Hope all goes well at the mechanic
I am hoping the motor will be fine. As I said before, the boat was running when the original owners decided to replace the bellows. They put it back together and realized they forgot the clamps for them. They took the lower unit off and thats as far as they got before they decided to sell it. This was coming form the original owner, as the guy I got the boat from, purchased it and let it sit. It had been winterized so I am hoping that everything is ok.
Even if it is not, my wife's old family friend, the mechanic who will be looking at it, closed his mobile marine repair business a few years back. He has lots of motor parts and just about everything to build a complete new engine and drive. I posted before that he has a lower unit that is a few years old but it is essentially brand new. He said I could have it for $75.00 if mine does not work. This was excellent news. He also is unable to do the work because of a back injury (which is why he closed the business) and we discussed that I will be doing the work under his watchful eye. I will be receiving expert tutelage and learning how to maintain my boat in the process. Because of this, he will be charging me about 25% of what it would cost if I had him doing it. I believe that either way, it is a win-win for me.
As far as the batteries go, I posted that I purchased three. This is a quote from an earlier post:
Because I was unsure, I bought 1 battery for each spot. All 3 were deep cycle. One deep cycle/ starting battery w/ 200 minutes reserve capacity and 675 cold cranking amps w/ dual connectors, one deep cycle battery w/ 180 minutes reserve capacity with dual connectors and the bad boy of marine batteries, from my point of view anyway, one 205 minute reserve capacity with 1150 cold cranking amps, special coating for corrosion resistance and an anti vibration case.
I am hoping that this is all I will need. I also found a plug for what appears to be a hookup for shore power. I notice in the schematic that there is a circuit made just for shore power. I am unsure how it works and am assuming there is a converter involved that will convert 120 to 12 volt. As I am unsure exactly how it works, I will learn.
I am excited about really starting the deconstruction process. It seems like its been years already, when in reality, its been 2 months. I am not a very patient person and its killing me to wait, but wait I will.
If anyone is starting a restoration for a 22 or 25' Chieftain, I can save you a bunch of time as I have the wiring schematic and color code chart that was used by Starcraft. I would be happy to email you a copy.
I feel very lucky to have found a network of experienced people, either here on the boards or people in my community that can help. Lucky, that the boat is in excellent condition overall and hopeful that I will outlive the restoration process.
