1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

[ts]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

Here's the powerhead...

 

[ts]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

and the lower end:

 

[ts]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

Anyone want a 175 HP Merc that needs werc?

Maybe I can get a few bucks for the controls and the power trim system that works like a champ?

 

[sprintst]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

My boat was a beeatch to strip. The stripper liked heat. You can apply the stripper and then a layer of plastic to keep it working without drying out. It took multiple applications to get it all off even with the help of a putty knife. The original paint was really on there. The house paint that some **** painted it with was on there like dirt.

A crazy powerful pressure washer may do the trick as mine was 2900 psi and just brely got the job done. Still good enough for around the house without cutting into everything it touches.

 

[ts]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

My boat was a beeatch to strip. The stripper liked heat. You can apply the stripper and then a layer of plastic to keep it working without drying out.

What kind of plastic did you use, and did it get "eaten" by the stripper?

 

[ts]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

Oh, almost forgot to mention. My splash well is trashed. PO put that "too big" motor on the rotten transom and it tore the splash well gunwale mounts apart, so he put a huge piece of angle iron underneath...arg, what a hack...

So, here is what I'm planning on the rebuild:

 

[ts]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

...and may build the transom up to 25" since I don't have a motor yet.

Considering extra bracing to support this...but not freakin' angle iron!!!

 

[ts]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

Oh, almost forgot to mention. My splash well is trashed. PO put that "too big" motor on the rotten transom and it tore the splash well gunwale mounts apart, so he put a huge piece of angle iron underneath...arg, what a hack...

So, here is what I'm planning on the rebuild:

Sprintst - I may hit you up for some advice since you've got some great woodworking skills! I really need to find some time to get through your whole rebuild thread. It's great!

 

[sprintst]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

Mine was an enviro friendly stripper. I wore gloves and everything but did nothing to skin or plastic. Tried cling wrap in a couple of sports as that blue stuff does not want to lift.

If it wasn't for the house paint I would have scuffed with 80 grit, overcoated with the Interlux Primecoat and then hit it with VC performance epoxy (freshwater, trailered) and anything else topside.

 

[sprintst]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

Sprintst - I may hit you up for some advice since you've got some great woodworking skills! I really need to find some time to get through your whole rebuild thread. It's great!

My dad was a master carpenter. Could build and design anything from sailboats, cabinets, houses, spiral staircases , parkades, etc. I did not inherit his skills unfortunately as he worked fast and efficiently. I barely keep all my fingers

More than willing to help. I can take pics of anything you need.

Your boat will be amazing once you get it unhackified. You're a good chunk of the way there. You can get some cardboard or thicker material and make templates for you rear deck and transom and trace it out onto the new stuff. You'll find many others with similiar boats in your situation and tons of pics to help. I'll see what I can dig up for you.

 

[Triton II]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

Woohoo... a cuddy cabin SC rebuild to follow. We'll be watching from the land downunder so go for it TS!

 

[ts]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

I love this place, you guys rock!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

See the large copper (i think) rod? This is the second boat I've torn apart and found this under the dash. Anyone else seen this before? Anyone know what it might be???

Assuming it's a rotary helm, that is just the tube that the cable goes into after it's fed through the helm. It protects the greased cable.

 

[Broadcast]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

The Redneck Jack stands are the bomb! "Getchew Some!" Great progress!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

Another 1979 Starcraft resto I like your boat! Looks like the demo part of the resto is nearing it's final stages.

Good luck with the project and keeps those pics coming

BTW make sure farm animals don't eat those jack stands

 

[ts]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

Assuming it's a rotary helm, that is just the tube that the cable goes into after it's fed through the helm. It protects the greased cable.

Ummmm, I was talking about the big copper cylindrical thing being held ABOVE the red helm cable...

It's solid.

The other boat that had this was a '76 Wellcraft 196.

 

[ts]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

Thanks Broadcast, and H.A.! Let's just hope the privacy fence keeps the deer out!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

I just installed a rotary steering system in mine. It has 2 things sticking out of the helm. 1 is the steering cable itself. The other is about an 8-10" tube. The cable itself (which is mostly inside in your case the red jacket) goes into that tube after it passes through the helm. I'm pretty sure that's what your copper tube is. I don't know how to better explain it.

 

[ts]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

I follow ya ez, and my rotary has all those pieces as well, but this is something "extra". It was just taped onto the steering cable.

HEY, maybe some kind of grounding bar???

Oh well, just another mystery.

 

[ts]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

Ok, here's how the stripping is going...ssslllooowww...

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