Furrylittleotter's Starcraft Chieftain Revival

[Furrylittleotter]

Im not sure what y'all are talking about. the depth of my rudder and prop is equal or less than a typical Starcraft outboard. Obviously it will not "Give" like a hinged drive will but the total distance form the hull is only 14 inches.

If this setup had "added a foot" to the original depth the original depth would've had to have been 2 inches. It wasn't.The original skeg depth was probably 16-18 inches if I had to guess.

I think the photos must be deceiving.

The bad news today is the plate that the drive had with it kept the drive from going low enough.:

I took it apart and the plate can NOT be flipped and I am not going to weaken the plate by cutting it, so i ordered a new 1/2" plate 12" by 24" aluminum plate to make a new mount out of.

Reason being is the Drive contains the THRUST BEARING for the whole propellor shaft, the thrust is not transferred to the strut on this design so it has to go somewhere and that plate transfers the load to the Stringers, which, in turn transfer the load to the frames and transom.



So with the plate removed, here is the drive in place:

It only goes about 4 inches over the original floor. I had planned to build the floor up 2 inches, but may change plans later, possibly build that area p 4 inches for a footrest. Not sure yet.

The good news is I wanted to be lazy and not take the drive apart. Im glad I did because it doesn't have a drain plug, and I never could've gotten the fouled gear oil out without taking it apart. I will add a drain plug and possibly replace a questionable bearing.

I measured the seat height.. It looks like my 24 inch pedestals and 2 inch floor will give me the perfect height for driving. We shall see for sure when they get here.

I did a bunch of other measuring and it looks like the layout is going to be AWESOME! Lots of room at the stern (34 inches?) , 22 inches to walk past the motor box and the motor will be pretty low so I can put a cooler or seat on it. again, have to wait and see.

Neil

 

[jbcurt00]

I think part of the difference is that your new driveline has NO tilt at all. If need be, an outboard or an I/O can be tilted so the prop and skeg aren't down as low as they are when running normally.

IIRC, you aren't planning many skinny water trips anyway, correct? Running in the bay, the straight inboard's depth shouldn't be overly concerning. Besides, who'd buy a Chieftain for skinny water fishing, even if it's 'only' an 18ftr, and yours isn't....

 

[astor]

If this setup had "added a foot" to the original depth the original depth would've had to have been 2 inches. It wasn't.The original skeg depth was probably 16-18 inches if I had to guess.

I think the photos must be deceiving.

Neil, I think you're right, my outboard (135 Mercury) extends down 18" from the anti-ventilation plate.

 

[Watermann]

Lots of tough fabrication work going on right there. After you get all that knocked out then you'll have to come up with ideas for altering the trailer to allow the new propshaft setup.

 

[g0nef1sshn]

Neil, my admiral thinks what im doing is crazy sometimes so I showed her some of the stuff you got going on. I told her we will have one that size someday and I picture us it in florida at the sand bars. That made me think of the draft question. She thinks im even crazier now that I want an even bigger project.

I wouldnt attempt that drive system, but I would try the boatissery down the road.

Anyhow, keep it up. Im glad I been able to follow this one from the start.

 

[Furrylittleotter]

. After you get all that knocked out then you'll have to come up with ideas for altering the trailer to allow the new propshaft setup.

I think I can use the hot boat trailer, it's setup for inboard, just need bunks. Should be a piece of pie.

Neil

 

[Furrylittleotter]

Neil, my admiral thinks what im doing is crazy sometimes so I showed her some of the stuff you got going on. I told her we will have one that size someday and I picture us it in florida at the sand bars. That made me think of the draft question. She thinks im even crazier now that I want an even bigger project.

I wouldnt attempt that drive system, but I would try the boatissery down the road.

Anyhow, keep it up. Im glad I been able to follow this one from the start.

Florida sand flats are another animal altogether. They're like offshore bass boats. Too dang hot to be fishing down there.
Glad you are enjoying viewing my insanity.
Neil

 

[Furrylittleotter]

Please delete all this content. I will post elsewhere, where moderators do not feel the need to edit my content.
I also will never buy anything from iboats, inc. again, even if I have to pay double

Enjoy reading your own posts moderators. Great job.

Good bye.

 

[jbcurt00]

Please delete all this content. I will post elsewhere, where moderators do not feel the need to edit my content.
I also will never buy anything from iboats, inc. again, even if I have to pay double

Enjoy reading your own posts moderators. Great job.

Good bye.

That's unfortunate

Best of luck completing this project, it will be a loss not seeing it documented to completion.

Please check your PMs