1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

[sprintst]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

It's getting there... Factory fresh.

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

Cool, progress...what are you using for removal? looks smooth

 

[ts]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

So, how did I accomplish so little you say?

Well, I was doing a lot of experimenting (and was almost ready to go buy a wire wheel a la jas' method)...but I didn't.

To be honest I'm hoping I'm not going down a bad path here.

I started by stripping two or three times in one spot near the stern, then sanded with 50 grit on my DA sander underneath and on the side...a little concerned about the texture since I'm not planning on painting the bottom.

So, I went over the side again with 220 grit trying to smooth things out a bit.

Then just worked with the stripper until it started to get dark, working my way to the bow.

P.S. I can't wait until I'm done stripping paint...

 

[sprintst]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

The stripping and sanding was the worst. When it's done it's done though. At least you'll know what you're dealing with.

 

[ts]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

Well, here is my plan...

Use the Aircraft Stripper over and over until I get it down to just light sanding.

Then sand the whole thing with 220 on my DA.

Then hand sand with 800, then 1000 on the bottom where I don't plan on painting.

Hopefully this won't take the next 3 years of my life to accomplish! :redface:

Also kind of waiting to see how the 220 grit sanded areas oxidize and see how that looks.

 

[ts]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

The stripping and sanding was the worst. When it's done it's done though. At least you'll know what you're dealing with.

True, I love getting it down to the bare aluminum, and getting rid of as many of the blemishes as possible. Really makes it feel like a "NEW" hull.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

I am looking at some hard labor there! Nice work partner!

So wait, I think I missed it...

Are you planning to have the bottom of the hull bare aluminum? What are you thinking on your paint scheme here, eh!

Cheers Man!

 

[SnowHunter]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

looks food so far ts! All nice n shiney!

 

[Jakebob]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

What a cool project. Anyone know where I can find the dimensions of this boat?

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

What a cool project. Anyone know where I can find the dimensions of this boat?

Check out this thread...there are starcraft brochures for many decades that have specs on various hulls.

 

[ts]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

What a cool project. Anyone know where I can find the dimensions of this boat?

Yep, take a look at the brochures. It seems the Super Sport, Chieftain, and Holiday all used the same basic hull.

 

[ts]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

So wait, I think I missed it...

Are you planning to have the bottom of the hull bare aluminum? What are you thinking on your paint scheme here, eh!

I'm shooting for a bare aluminum bottom on up about 2/3 of the way, then probably white with a color stripe, and maybe a Starcraft logo/sticker (new style). The top deck and cabin sides will probably some kind of white???

 

[ts]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

Very little progress lately. Been working hard on locating a motor for my boat. Looking at donor boats, motors, and then I stumbled onto this:

http://denver.craigslist.org/boa/1723736472.html

Been trying to beat the competition to score this thing, but it's not been easy.

Hopefully I'll be headed over the divide to Denver this week-end to close the deal. It would be a HUGE motivator to get rolling on the rebuild.

Tonight I removed the keel rollers from my crappy Calkins roller trailer that no one can find side rollers for. It's the kind with the swiveling cradles (see pic somewhere earlier in this thread). Still not sure if this trailer is going to work out or not. Maybe I'll just replace the keel rollers to get by until I can scrape up some more cash (maybe next year) and replace it altogether.

That's all for now!

Cheers guys (and Snow)!

 

[Triton II]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

Been trying to beat the competition to score this thing, but it's not been easy.
Hopefully I'll be headed over the divide to Denver this week-end to close the deal. It would be a HUGE motivator to get rolling on the rebuild.

Wow, TS, hope you get it - a 150 will make that 18 footer fly!

TII

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

Yah that Merc 150 would be sweet on your rig! Woah baby! Get it!

 

[ts]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

Okay, things are looking positive on the motor. The mechanic faxed the checkup results to me this morning and everything looks great!

I'll tell ya, it's worth $110 for this kind of peace of mind.

-Compression is nice and even across all cylinders (within 5 from highest to lowest)
-Fires right up and goes in and out of F and R
-Idles well
-"Great" throttle response
-Good cylinder temps
-No leaks, cracks, or other annoying stuff
-Drive oil looks good (no H2O)

According to the mech, "Good to GO"

So, I gotta date for Saturday, high noon. Gonna lake test it, then I'm gonna buy me that big motor to make my rig go 50 mph! Hair on fire, whoo hoo!!! -that's me, the wife, and three kiddos heading down the lake

Yeah, I know...it would be much more sexy on a low deck Baja, but hey, I happen to love my Starcraft, and it's sexy enough for me! Besides, I've been married for almost 15 years and I don't need to look THAT sexy...

Makes me think of that Kenny Chesney song - "She thinks my Starcraft's sexy"...at least I "think" that's how the lyrics go

Cheers All!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

$110 well spent buddy! I am pumped for ya!

 

[ts]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

Well...I am soooooo broke right now...




BUT I SCORED THE MOTOR!!! WHOO HOO!!!

The lake test was awesome. The motor fired right up and ran like a champ. Just unreal. While waiting at the dock for the seller to get the truck I shut the motor down, then just barely turned the key and it fired right up again and hummed. Wow, what a score.

I'll get some pics up ASAP.

Oh, after getting home I looked up the numbers again, and took a closer look at the serial number tag...and wouldn't you know it, it's actually a '97 model year. How cool is that?

Well, now I have some great motivation to get out there and strip some paint, but I had to make a deal with the wife that we'd get some work done on the house/yard this summer too. So, it may be slow going, but that's okay.

Talk at you all soon.

 

[sprintst]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

A score like that is a nice shot in the arm.

Can see the light at the end of the tunnel now...

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

Well done man!