1rst post and a question, now with more picture goodness

[roverjohn]

I just bought a '72 Starcraft. 21' Chief, I believe, with a Berkeley jet and a 454 BBC. Anyone have an idea what it might weigh? I'm thinking of doing a diesel conversion and then some river running and knowing the weight would be very handy.
Thanks all.
RJ

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: 1rst post and a question

Re: 1rst post and a question

RJ welcome to ibots and once we see pictures of the boat the Starcraft club . I will see wht I can dig up on that boat for you as far as weight . I can tell you it is quite a bit lighter than a comparable fiberglass boat.


Rick

 

[North Beach]

Re: 1rst post and a question

Re: 1rst post and a question

OK, what the heck is a berkely jet and a 454bbc? And is it a Chiefton? I don't have the 72 book.

And welcome to iboats!

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: 1rst post and a question

Re: 1rst post and a question

LOL NB berkley jet ( jet drive ) kinda like a BIG arsed jet ski . 454 bbc pretty much the same motor you would have found in a 1970 Chevelle 454 SS 454 cubic inches of rumbling big block chebby .


Rick

 

[roverjohn]

Re: 1rst post and a question

Re: 1rst post and a question

The jet looks like it belongs there and the BBC looks like it might have been a repower. I'll try to post up some pics. The boat looks just like the one pictured here:

http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/cnr2003/n17202891_35987452_6784.jpg

Well, except that it's white and the boat pictured is likely not a jet and my boat has a dual axle trailer. I looked around and found a listing for a SBC I/O version of the boat that weighs 2245lb dry. Is that possible? I hope so as my boat will weigh about the same.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: 1rst post and a question

Re: 1rst post and a question

John I dont have ccess to a 72 brochure either and the 74 brochure isnt alot of help buuuuuuuut the 77 brochure shows the 22' Holiday with the 165HP 4 banger I/O setup at 1340 pounds dry so figure the weight of 4 extra cyliners and you will be pretty close . Funny seems as though somebody around here was just mentioning the other day that he had not seen any other Sunchief's since he started restoring his LOL by the way that would be Northbeach and his completed restore is available for viewing in the completed restorations forum on the main board . I warn you though viewing his boat will make you realise how crappy your boat or mine or anybody elses for that matter really is .


Rick

 

[roverjohn]

Re: 1rst post and a question

Re: 1rst post and a question

I just read through NB's thread and, well, wow. My boat looks just like that except it has the three piece windshield.

 

[roverjohn]

Re: 1rst post and a question

Re: 1rst post and a question

Couple of very poor pics. Sorry about the lens grease.

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: 1rst post and a question

Re: 1rst post and a question

what did that cost i need one of those as i boat on a river.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: 1rst post and a question, now with picture goodness

Re: 1rst post and a question, now with picture goodness

Thats a good lookin boat and does look alot like NB's . I might add though thats alot of boat and it looks like it is pissing off that poor little Jeep .



Rick

 

[roverjohn]

Re: 1rst post and a question, now with picture goodness

Re: 1rst post and a question, now with picture goodness

It is sagging the jeep a bit but I think it's the trailer more than the boat. That Jeep is a 2WD and it's sprung very softly. It towed every bit as easy as my '85 Ski Supreme. I paid $1500 which I think is still fair if the engine is bad. The trailer just had a $500 rebuild plus five new wheels and tires. I put a little gas in the carb and it fired instantly but until I hook a hose up I have no idea if the block is cracked. I'll know within a day or two.

 

[North Beach]

Re: 1rst post and a question, now with picture goodness

Re: 1rst post and a question, now with picture goodness

Yeah, that's one of those 70's big honkin Holidays. I don't have the brochures so I don't know any of the specs. I would say that's def a re-power.

Nice boat! How about some more pics!!!!!!!!!!

 

[roverjohn]

Re: 1rst post and a question, now with picture goodness

Re: 1rst post and a question, now with picture goodness

Got the engine fired tonight and it sounds very healthy. Needs exhaust manifold work and pump bearings though so no test driving for a bit. Very weird the color of the engine says I. Here are a few more pics for the picaholics. Check out the size of those exhaust ports. Oddly large if you ask me and the engine is wearing a stock looking 750 Q-Jet.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: 1rst post and a question, now with more picture goodness

John who in the world painted a 454 BBC in Ford Blue granted I am a ford man but really didnt they know that motor was supposed to be orange .


Rick

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: 1rst post and a question, now with more picture goodness

i need one of those ,if you ever give up on the project let me know.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 1rst post and a question, now with more picture goodness

That "Ford" blue is also very similar to what OMC used on their inboards and I/O engines back in the day. Someone has obviously done some extensive renovation to that old Holiday (full sundeck & bench in rear, pedestal seats fore, etc.), so what it had for power originally is anyone's guess. I have the 1974 brochure posted at the Starcraft Yahoo group, but it only lists jets as having come on the glass models (270 and 350 horsepower - no engine make or cui listed). Could have been offered differently in earlier years, and I suppose if you ordered it up, they could have built anything you wanted.

 

[roverjohn]

Re: 1rst post and a question, now with more picture goodness

You can tell when you lift up the sundeck that the old interior extended back a bit and would have looked just like NB's if the original jump seats and little doghouse were still there. I looks like whoever did this did a nice job and used good parts and the engines appears to be well integrated into the hull. All the things that need doing are things I kind of planned on doing anyway as I had no winterization history. I think this thing is going to be pretty cool as is and if the weight without engine is anywhere near or below 1600lb the diesel conversion will be this winters project. Otherwise I'll look to modernize with some sort of 5.0 chevy with FI and roller valve train as all the mounts will work and I'll have enough power for what I need to do. I doubt I'll give up on this Bigskiohio so you'll have to make your own. Looking around a 18' Holiday would be a better choice than the 21'. If I find on I may do the parts swap myself.

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: 1rst post and a question, now with more picture goodness

I run the Skagit River in Wa. State and the Columbia River with my 22 ft. Holiday. I would be very carefull in any river as it is very easy to bottom out with the deep V hull. I have also done the same in the salt water bay in regards to mud. Also be sure to note the hull is not designed ( thickness ) for river running except for deep water. Rocks could be a serious problem. Good looking boat very much like my 22 holiday except for the I/O and the Jet pump.

 

[roverjohn]

Re: 1rst post and a question, now with more picture goodness

Thanks PS. This isn't for running up rapids. In the Missouri river where I'll be the main channel is clearly marked for the barge folks and the depth is kept at 9' so no need to worry about rocks. They don't call it the Muddy MO for nothing. I've run v-drive and inboard ski boats in it for years but there are times when I can't go out as rains up north draws downed trees into the river and I worry about my props. In this thing if I happen to not notice some brush floating around I should be able to pass over it. I'm hoping my boat has the same cork like floating qualities as NB's. I'm already figuring out how to mount a 'glide plate' under the pump to protect it if I happen to 'glide over' something bigger. But yeah, no bashing over dams or rock ledges in this thing. The other thing cool about the boat is that I now have enough parts and a nice trailer to build something else if this hull proves to be weak. The Missouri is glass smooth, like most navigable rivers, 24-7 so boats lead a pretty easy life if you don't hit something hard.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: 1rst post and a question, now with more picture goodness

John thts very much like the ohio here they run barges up and down all the time so the water is plenty deep to play in a little 22' or smaller Tin Can . The tugs run alot deeper than I do .


Rick