1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

Huron Angler

Huron Angler

Admiral
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Apr 7, 2009
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6,025
Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

Sounds like a great motor for the rig:D

Welcome to the club of Starcraft owners with Mercs at or near the maximum HP rating;):cool:
 
CBGale2

CBGale2

Lieutenant Junior Grade
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Apr 22, 2009
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1,026
Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

The CL listing has been deleted but If Im understanding this you picked up a 1997 150hp Merc for $110 with nothing wrong with it????? I must be confused, its gotta be a 1897 for that kinda money. :D
 
ts

ts

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Mar 30, 2010
Messages
204
Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

CBGale2 said:
The CL listing has been deleted but If Im understanding this you picked up a 1997 150hp Merc for $110 with nothing wrong with it????? I must be confused, its gotta be a 1897 for that kinda money. :D
Click to expand...

:p yep, it's true...:eek:

No, just kidding :cool:

He had it listed for $2,750 and I got it for $2,600. The $110 is what I paid to have him take it to a boat shop to check it out before I drove all the way to Denver to purchase it. I spoke directly with the shop and had them fax the results to me. That was the best $110 I've ever spent on a deal like this. The seller was great to do this, as well as run it on the lake when I got there. It couldn't have been a better transaction. Oh, and I got the nice slim Merc controls, cables, and external oil tank with it. Full setup, ready to go.

It's not perfect, but way close enough for me!
 
ts

ts

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
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Messages
204
Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

Huron Angler said:
Sounds like a great motor for the rig:D

Welcome to the club of Starcraft owners with Mercs at or near the maximum HP rating;):cool:
Click to expand...

Yep, I believe I'm "at" the max rating...then you gotta factor in the difference between the old way of rating back in '79, compared to the new rating in '97...BUT then I have to factor in for power loss at the higher elevations since I'll be boating at (3625' - 7500'), and I'd say I'm right in the ballpark. :p
 
CBGale2

CBGale2

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Apr 22, 2009
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Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

ts said:
:p yep, it's true...:eek:

No, just kidding :cool:

He had it listed for $2,750 and I got it for $2,600. The $110 is what I paid to have him take it to a boat shop to check it out before I drove all the way to Denver to purchase it. I spoke directly with the shop and had them fax the results to me. That was the best $110 I've ever spent on a deal like this. The seller was great to do this, as well as run it on the lake when I got there. It couldn't have been a better transaction. Oh, and I got the nice slim Merc controls, cables, and external oil tank with it. Full setup, ready to go.

It's not perfect, but way close enough for me!
Click to expand...

:p Oh, Ok! That makes much more sense. LOL. Yeah that $110 is money well spent when your talking that kind of investment. It baffles me how much newer motors are, I can only afford the old and cheap ones. :D
 
ts

ts

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Messages
204
Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

CBGale2 said:
:p Oh, Ok! That makes much more sense. LOL. Yeah that $110 is money well spent when your talking that kind of investment. It baffles me how much newer motors are, I can only afford the old and cheap ones. :D
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was dreading the thought of financing a new"er" 115 or 150 for $8K-$12K. That's just CRAZY money!

Now imagine if you could spend $45K+?

Nope, I can't imagine it either.

:)
 
Triton II

Triton II

Commander
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Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

ts said:
Yeah, I was dreading the thought of financing a new"er" 115 or 150 for $8K-$12K. That's just CRAZY money!

Now imagine if you could spend $45K+?

Nope, I can't imagine it either.

:)
Click to expand...

A decent condition alloy 18ft cuddy cabin boat with a "newer" 115 or 150 four-stroke is at least 45,000 South Pacific Pesos (aka Aussie dollars) over here. A two stroke maybe 35-40K. Over here condition is really important as I'd say 90% of Aussie boating in these bigger tinnies would be in saltwater. :(
 
ts

ts

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Messages
204
Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

Okay, not much boat progress, but here's some pics...

"new" motor

IMG_0079.jpg


IMG_0080.jpg


IMG_0081.jpg


IMG_0082.jpg


...and some stripping progress...but not much :(

IMG_0078.jpg
 
jasoutside

jasoutside

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2009
Messages
13,269
Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

Oh baby, that Merc is going to be SAWEEEEEET on your rig!!!!

I have a vision of you spit shining that OB and throwing on some new decals, it'll look brand spanking new! AND, move that 18 footer along zoom zoom!

SUPER! LOVE IT TS!
 
HopeSheFloats

HopeSheFloats

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Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

ts said:
...and some stripping progress...but not much :(
Click to expand...

Any progress is always better than none, it will get there...then it will just plain git, with that sweet honkin motor!
 
ts

ts

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 30, 2010
Messages
204
Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

Thanks guys! I really appreciate the encouragement!! :D:D:D

Now I'm really motivated, and determined to get that whole port side stripped by sundown Friday!

...and I think I will actually feel guilty if I let you guys down... :p

I better get on it!




...not a cult...not a cult...not a cult...not brainwashed...not brainwashed...must complete Starcraft rebuild...must complete Starcraft rebuild...:eek:
 
sprintst

sprintst

Commander
Joined
Apr 18, 2009
Messages
2,066
Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

Nice score on the motor.

Just seeing it should drive you towards the light at the end of the tunnel.

If we were the Starcraft Davidians then there would be a problem. No koolaid in this group...just beer.
 
Triton II

Triton II

Commander
Joined
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Messages
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Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

Cultured, cultivated, cuddy cabin and clever. A few 'c' words close to cult to motivate you TS. Now get on with it! :D

PS; Niiicccccceeeeeee motah! :cool:

TII
 
ts

ts

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Messages
204
Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

Well, the weather isn't cooperating much so far. Way too windy, but there was a lull just before sundown...and I stripped some more paint just before it got dark.

I plan on stripping some more if there is another lull tomorrow, but the forecast isn't looking good. Sunday is supposed to be better, and if that's true I'm planning on really hitting it hard with the stripper AND the DA sander!

So, for tomorrow, if nothing else I'll try to take another pic.

Oh, I almost forgot. Where I've sanded with 60 and 80 grit the aluminum is a bit rough, so I wet sanded a small area (by hand) with 800, then 1000, and it looks like it will smooth out real nice. So for those that are wondering, yes, if you've scratched up your hull you can get the smooth/shiny back by wet sanding with 800 and 1000.

Anyway, cheers to all, and have a good night. :)
 
ts

ts

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Messages
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Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

Had kind of a break in the weather this morning. Clouded over really nicely, and just tried to work with the wind. I'm learning how to work with the aircraft stripper/power sprayer/DA sander combo...DON'T LET THE STRIPPER DRY...Get it sprayed off before it dries.

Anyway, here's some pics. :)

IMG_0001.jpg


Hmmm, repaint or leave bare? I'm leavin' it shiny...but not TOO shiny... :cool:

IMG_0002.jpg



Tomorrow I finish off the port side with some sanding. Then I need to decide if I'm going to strip the top or move to the starboard side. :rolleyes:

IMG_0004.jpg
 
jasoutside

jasoutside

Supreme Mariner
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Dec 20, 2009
Messages
13,269
Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

Nice job, that is a lot of hard work cover right there!:D:D
 
sprintst

sprintst

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Messages
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Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

That is a ton of hard work. You're really getting there though...
 
ts

ts

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 30, 2010
Messages
204
Re: 1979 Starcraft Chieftain 18 - rebuild

I couldn't take it anymore...I just had to do it...This one's for you Jas, my hillbilly bro'...:eek:

IMG_0002-1.jpg


IMG_0001-1.jpg


IMG_0003-1.jpg


IMG_0004-1.jpg


No pics of how I got it over to begin with...cause I was figuring it out as I went :p

Now I'm hoping the stripping/sanding will go a bit easier.

Cheers All!

TS
 
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