Help With boat ID

[Jamiethesquid]

So, I am a crazy boat guy and new to the forum. I am buying a boat, without ever seeing it in person. So here is the story. I work at a major defense contractor / shipbuilder in Maine. I am a welding supervisor, while talking to one of my fellow supervisors, the conversation turns to boats. Living in costal Maine, boating is a way of life. I have owned many boats over the years, large and small, sail and power. But currently, I am without a boat. My family and friends all have boats that we use regularly, but I am getting the itch for a quality preowned project that my wife and child and I can use along the beautiful coast of Maine.
He tells me, hey, I have a boat to sell! My interest is momentarily piqued. What do you have. ( Now first a caveat). This boat was inherited from his grandfather, he knows little about it or about boats in general. Enough said.
He tells me it is a 22-23' aluminum hull, "cuddy cabin" with a 350 ci V8 and a tandem axel trailer. Unknown year but the enging starts right up and the lower unit is new with only a couple hours on it due to a botched rebuild by a marine mechanic. The trailer is newer than the boat and was bought used a couple years ago. This boat was used yearly by his grandfather who passed quickly due to cancer. It is said to need some TLC but is solid and will crank over.
Intrigued I ask how much he is looking to get for the boat and if he has any pictures. He produces two from his smart phone that I recognize as a 70's ish Starcraft Chieftain or Islander. I will attach those photos in this post or the next. The last registration is 2010.

 

[astor]

Re: Help With boat ID

Welcome Squid,
can't wait to see the pictures!

 

[Jamiethesquid]

Re: Help With boat ID

My next question to him. How much are you looking to sell it for. The answer "$500" bucks about knocks me out of my chair. He tells me he is hard up for money with a growing family and has no desire or aptitude to fix up the old boat. Now I will probably end up traveling the 2 hours each way to see this boat but for the price I don't know how I can go wrong. So I start googling Starcraft cuddy cabin boats and come across this forum and many boats of the same era that look, surprisingly similar. I guess those summers that I worked in the boatyards, pressure washing boats and bottom painting helped out in spotting this potential diamond in the rough.
Is it possible that the boat actually has a 350ci in it? Most of the boats I am seeing either have a straight 6 or a V6. Any thoughts on major problem areas to check out? All paperwork on this boat was lost in a house fire and I will need to positively ID the boat from a VIN or serial number. Where on the boat is this usually marked? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Jamiethesquid]

Re: Help With boat ID



let me know what you think

 

[rheagler]

Re: Help With boat ID

Looks fantastic for a $500 boat. I don't think you can go wrong at that price. I think the serial number ID plate on these should be on the side of the gunwale near the helm, I could be wrong though because mine was missing. Good luck with it and keep us posted!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Help With boat ID

On a 22' V8 IO boat, I'd expect the boat & trailer to approach the 3000lb trailer title requirement.... Be sure you can get all the required documentation as required for Maine for both the boat & the trailer.

In WV boats are complicated but can be registered & titled w/ or w/out a VIN, registration or title. Trailers are more difficult, but doable. Other states are more or less complicated, and some are impossible w/out all 3: VIN's, Registrations & titles transferring from current owner to you....

Trailer may need some bearing, trailer & light work before towing 2hrs home....But for $500 w/ trailer & a motor that fires, sounds like a good possibility.

 

[Jamiethesquid]

Re: Help With boat ID

Thanks for the quick replies, registration is pretty simple in Maine for a boat of this vintage. Just a bill of sale should do it. My buddy is going to deliver the boat to me the weekend after next.

Any thought on the V8, is that possibly original, Or a re-power. I am not sure that he really knows what type of motor is in it. If I am off next weekend I may make the 4 hour round trip to see it. Either way, I believe I will be the next owner of this boat, especially for the price.

 

[North Beach]

Re: Help With boat ID

Based upon the cabin I'd say it's a 67 to 70 Chieftain. Could be anything from a 120 to 165 hp unless someone has swapped a V8 into it. If it has a V8 it'll be the first one we've seen here unless someone else knows different. The high cabin roof has been added and it looks like it's been painted. Deff has at least added bottom paint. In 66 the boat was blue inside and out and in 71 it was yellow inside and out so I believe it will fall between there somewhere. The data plate is not gonna give you the year if it's still there but it will give you the serial number and if it's 60's then it may help to nail down the year.

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: Help With boat ID

Like NB said, probably the 2.5 liter or 3.0 liter. Outside chance its the 165 I6. Looks like a promising project, why not. It needs some work so you need to ask yourself, am I looking for a water ready boat, or do I want to work on a boat???? We'll let you hang here with us while you fix her up.

Maine has some pretty lax registration laws, so you should be ok, plus your buying it from a buddy not a stranger.

Good luck to you James.

Don

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Help With boat ID

Yeah, boats are easier in WV, it's the trailer that's more difficult. And if it approaches a total gross weight of 3000lbs w/ boat, Maine requires the trailer to be titled. As a dual axle trailer of a certain length, it may be that heavy, esp if it did get a V8 swap. But maybe not 3000lbs


At $500, I'd for sure be interested enough to make a few trips to the dmv & jump thru some hoops to get it legal, even if it cost a bit extra for not having reg & title, to get those docs.

But in Texas, it can be almost impossible to get docs for the trailer if you don't have the current docs to be transfer.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Help With boat ID

500 bux? Yaaaaaaahhhhhhhh buddy!

I'd guess it originally came with the I6. A V8 in that would be some serious power!

 

[barato2]

Re: Help With boat ID

$500 and he's going to DELIVER it????? you better take him fishin when you get boat going. agree, bet it's the 165 I6. the hardtop is nice even if it is aftermarket.

JB, you're correct that it can be a PITA in TX but that's only for trailers >4000#GVW. below that, all you need is a bill of sale to register one.

 

[magnumdeke]

Re: Help With boat ID

Be curious to know if it has a ford 351 in it? Didn't some of the 70's Chiefs come with a 302 with a MC-1 out drive? plausible repower to small block 351. Anyhow, nice deal for the money, great project boat!!! Welcome to the madness!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Help With boat ID

JB, you're correct that it can be a PITA in TX but that's only for trailers >4000#GVW. below that, all you need is a bill of sale to register one.

That makes sense, the only reference I have is Friscoboaters 'rant' about it being difficult in Tx, and his was over 4000Lbs.

Based on my current tow rig, I limit out well before the change in WV. It's also a permanent plate in WV, when you reach the 3000lb gross.

 

[Jamiethesquid]

Re: Help With boat ID

I have talked to my buddy today at the Shipyard. I am planning to stop by and preview the boat next weekend, when we will be closer to where it is, while visiting family. I will take a bunch of hi-res photos to document the boat as it sits.

The hardtop is homemade by his Grandfather, I think it will definitely go away and get replaced by a custom bimini top of approximately the same dimensions if not larger. I will make custom canvas walls to enclose to entire cockpit so we can camp out on the boat over night no matter what the weather I plan to do a complete resto on the boat over the fall and winter so we can enjoy the boat next year.

A tall task I know. But boats up here are plentiful, and with the economy in the toilet donor boats can be had for a song. I have spent the last few days reading many of the post on this forum and am inspired by all the knowledge and resources to be had. I have restored more than a few boats over the years. Sail and Power, my last was a 1975 Cal 27' sailboat.

I going to bring along with me a deep cycle marine battery to turn over the motor, he said it was last cranked over a few months ago. I will also stop by the garage I used to work at and borrow a compression tester, if I decide I have enough time I will pull some plucs and see how the spec out.

Thanks again for all the replies.

 

[barato2]

Re: Help With boat ID

you might find some takers on here for the hardtop if you decide to 86 it. post it in the SC parts thread.

if you've done a Cal 27, this will be cake. motors are pricey but very easy to swap in and out....it's the floors and transom that will be the big hassle if you have to do them.

 

[Jamiethesquid]

Re: Help With boat ID

I have done a lot of rotted, poorly taken care of carpet over plywood deck replacements and plan to do the deck and transom regardless. I am told the deck is spongy at best. Instead of carpet I intend to epoxy and glass 5/8" marine plywood, with a molded in barefoot friendly non-skid texture. I loath carpet, when I have to hose to boat out after a fishing trip.

I am thinking a silver and green paint scheme with gray and green upholstery would be nice. Too many white and blue boats around, and red is just not for me.

 

[barato2]

Re: Help With boat ID

agreed on the carpet. after all i know now, not quite sure what moves manufacturers to put carpet in their boats in the first place. maybe a bit of planned obsolescence?? i will never have carpet in mine aside from an easily removable "mat" with bound edges

what did you have in mind for the barefoot friendly non skid? i have one boat's topsides done in Durabak and one in Tuffcoat (the latex equivalent to Durabak) and wouldn't recommend either one for knee friendly altho they give great traction. i have a roll of Nautolex vinyl, not installed yet, but it feels much nicer, and some folks here love it.

 

[Jamiethesquid]

Re: Help With boat ID

Not exactly sure on the non-skid, I have used Interlux Topsider with a sprinkling of fine glass beads from a salt shaker on a few sailboat topsides and never found that painful to sit / stand / kneel on with bare appendages. Once it is top coated with a coat or two it has held up well to many years of service.

 

[Jamiethesquid]

Re: Help With boat ID

I have arranged to see the boat this weekend, I am so excited to see it for the first time. I hope there are no big disappointments. As long a there is no damage to the hull, all other sins can be forgiven. It is like the story, "There is an old car in the barn, but I am not sure what it is". I will take lots of pics.