I bought a 1974 18' Chieftain with a Merc 850 outboard that runs really well and needs an impeller. I bought it for a really good price last fall knowing it would need a deck and should get a transom. The transom outer skin is pretty abused. The outer wood id not rotten but doesn't look good. The inner transom wood doesn't look to have been installed as a single piece because the division between the lower part and the upper "cat ears" are divided cleanly.
When I bought this boat I was really looking for something that was both a Starcraft and had an I/O. Last month I sold my 16' Clippercraft runabout and had cash in hand for the necessary parts and supplies for the Chieftain. Then a few weeks ago while looking for a donor boat with a trailer with a title I found a 1968 Starcraft Holiday-V 18' with a Mercruiser 120 I/O. Both the boat and trailer have titles. The price was listed at $550 when I looked at it in the morning. I wrote the number down and called in the late afternoon to see if he still had it. I made arrangements to go look at it. Being that it was about 90 miles away and my F-150 is thirsty AND I didn't want to tow an unknown entity home in the dark I elected to drive my fuel efficient car out there and make arrangements to pick it up on Sunday if I elected to purchase. He was good with that. I refreshed the ad on the computer and was pleased to see the price was dropped to $475 about 5 minutes before I made the call. Good timing. It's in my driveway.
Now for the Chieftain. While I like the idea of having two different vintage Starcraft boats I am told by my loving spouse that she has "dealt" with having 2 boats beside our home for the better part of the time we've lived here. We do not have a garage. When I sold the glass boat and we were down to the Chieftain she was excited to have more of "Her" yard back. When I got the Holiday and spoke of MBS and owning two Starcraft's let's just say the conversation took a nasty turn including the words "divorce," "your NEXT wife," "My back yard." I am resigned to selling the boat I want less.
So I have options. Here is how she sits today after pulling the deck and vacuuming the debris:
My wife says just sell it as it sits. She suggests $400 with the motor. I told her I wouldn't sell it with the motor (after replacing the impeller) for less than $500.00
I couldn't find a hull only weight on the 18' Chieftain but I found an empty weight of 1088 lbs. Subtract for the deck and outboard and we might be around 700 lbs. At $0.52 per lb for aluminum we're talking $364 and if I replace the impeller (already ordered as it is the same kit for the 1973 MC-1 outdrive on my Holiday) in the 850 I could probably get $300-400 with the controls if I wanted to sell it fast.
So let's say I decide to put down a 3/4" BC plywood deck and 1/2" BC sideboards and cabin divider and dash, no door for the cabin and the transom is the responsibility of the purchaser. I'll use an epoxy paint on the deck, sideboards, and divider to seal it up. I'm looking at about $120 plus I need a tach, fuel, and volt guage, ($10 each used) the wiring for them($30), a fuel sender($25). I'll remount the 18 gallon steel Mirax tank it came with. I have a pair of plain jane pedestals for helm and passenger seats. So I'm looking at about $250 to put into it with unaccounted for odds and ends.
What can I expect to sell the rig for in the quickie re-deck shape? Are my prices about right for the as-is sale? Am I correct on the hull weight? Should I just cut my losses and strip and scrap her and sell the engine separately?
I'm SO CONFUSED and conflicted.
When I bought this boat I was really looking for something that was both a Starcraft and had an I/O. Last month I sold my 16' Clippercraft runabout and had cash in hand for the necessary parts and supplies for the Chieftain. Then a few weeks ago while looking for a donor boat with a trailer with a title I found a 1968 Starcraft Holiday-V 18' with a Mercruiser 120 I/O. Both the boat and trailer have titles. The price was listed at $550 when I looked at it in the morning. I wrote the number down and called in the late afternoon to see if he still had it. I made arrangements to go look at it. Being that it was about 90 miles away and my F-150 is thirsty AND I didn't want to tow an unknown entity home in the dark I elected to drive my fuel efficient car out there and make arrangements to pick it up on Sunday if I elected to purchase. He was good with that. I refreshed the ad on the computer and was pleased to see the price was dropped to $475 about 5 minutes before I made the call. Good timing. It's in my driveway.
Now for the Chieftain. While I like the idea of having two different vintage Starcraft boats I am told by my loving spouse that she has "dealt" with having 2 boats beside our home for the better part of the time we've lived here. We do not have a garage. When I sold the glass boat and we were down to the Chieftain she was excited to have more of "Her" yard back. When I got the Holiday and spoke of MBS and owning two Starcraft's let's just say the conversation took a nasty turn including the words "divorce," "your NEXT wife," "My back yard." I am resigned to selling the boat I want less.
So I have options. Here is how she sits today after pulling the deck and vacuuming the debris:
My wife says just sell it as it sits. She suggests $400 with the motor. I told her I wouldn't sell it with the motor (after replacing the impeller) for less than $500.00
I couldn't find a hull only weight on the 18' Chieftain but I found an empty weight of 1088 lbs. Subtract for the deck and outboard and we might be around 700 lbs. At $0.52 per lb for aluminum we're talking $364 and if I replace the impeller (already ordered as it is the same kit for the 1973 MC-1 outdrive on my Holiday) in the 850 I could probably get $300-400 with the controls if I wanted to sell it fast.
So let's say I decide to put down a 3/4" BC plywood deck and 1/2" BC sideboards and cabin divider and dash, no door for the cabin and the transom is the responsibility of the purchaser. I'll use an epoxy paint on the deck, sideboards, and divider to seal it up. I'm looking at about $120 plus I need a tach, fuel, and volt guage, ($10 each used) the wiring for them($30), a fuel sender($25). I'll remount the 18 gallon steel Mirax tank it came with. I have a pair of plain jane pedestals for helm and passenger seats. So I'm looking at about $250 to put into it with unaccounted for odds and ends.
What can I expect to sell the rig for in the quickie re-deck shape? Are my prices about right for the as-is sale? Am I correct on the hull weight? Should I just cut my losses and strip and scrap her and sell the engine separately?
I'm SO CONFUSED and conflicted.
