New Starcraft captain

[1973Chieftain]

I hope this allows me to join your club! This is my first Starcraft, and my second old aluminum cruiser. I just got it home last night, and while it needs some cleaning up, I dont' think it was too bad of a bargain at $500 I believe its a 1972 or 73 Chieftain, and has almost all of the original parts and accessories. I bought it on a chance, since the only flaw I see is a small crack about a foot long along the chine amidships, although the seller thought it was common among this vintage Starcrafts, and the caulking job he did seem to hold.... I'm thinking TIG welding should do the trick. Thoughts?

 

[paparoof]

Re: New Starcraft captain

I don't know anything about welding, but I want to congratulate you on getting a Chieftain for $500! She's a beauty!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: New Starcraft captain

Welcome to the Starcraft armada...nice rig!

The Islander/Chieftain models are some sweet cuddies.

Are you planning to take her out on the big lakes? Looks like she is already somewhat rigged for downrigger fishing with that board on the stern.

Good luck with the boat!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New Starcraft captain

Cool boat. What motor?

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: New Starcraft captain

It has a 120 HP 4 cylinder MerCruiser which "supposedly" only needs a carb.... I'll be taking it to a mechanic to check it out though because I would really hate to have it quite while I'm out on the big lake.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: New Starcraft captain

I had my eye on that very same boat back in the winter, cool!! I tried to contact the fella a bunch to no avail. Then I picked up an Islander. I absolutely would have bought it had he got back with me, I am glad somebody got it, sweet! I eventually did talk with him but I sure didn't need two 22 footers (though I did still want it). I was a little leery of the engine as he described it but at $500 bucks I don't think it matters a whole lot. I am betting that crack can be welded right up too.

Awesome, congrats, welcome!!!

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: New Starcraft captain

It also appears we are from the same town Jasoutside.... perhaps when I get it running we should have a shindig out on Wixom or Sanford..... or the Bay

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: New Starcraft captain

I have the 1986 version of that boat, good find for $500, but expect to put some money into it to make it worthy of the big lake. I take mine out on the pacific ocean often during the summer. I put thousands of dollars in my 1986, partly because it had a 140 hp 1971 engine/outdrive, but I did not know that when I bought it.

I would highly recommend a spare kicker motor. 15hp min, longshaft. Ihave a 15hp 2 stroke and pushes the boat 5mph. I have used it twice to come in on. Once engine coupler spun, second time timing gear broke.
Good luck on getting the crack welded, you will want to pull the floor up and remove the foam inside so it does not catch fire. Also I would see if the welding shop could add an alum plate on the inside over the crack. You will want to drill the ends of the crack so it does not spread. Then I would seal the whole area with several coats of glov-it. You do not want that crack to break open in rough water.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: New Starcraft captain

It also appears we are from the same town Jasoutside.... perhaps when I get it running we should have a shindig out on Wixom or Sanford..... or the Bay

No way, yur kidding. Midland too? Crazy!

Well big girls like ours belong in the big waters, eh! Huron, Superior, Michigan...

Tell you what, I still have a very long way to go so don't wait on me buddy!

Post up a photo of that crack on your hull, with a little careful planning that should be no biggie. And while your at it, shots of the rest of the rig!

Cheers Neighbor!

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: New Starcraft captain

If you don't want to weld maybe a patch from the inside. Use some of that glue they use in Nascar. Rivet it, and JBWeld on the outside.Gluvit on the inside.

Prep the outer edges of the crack to prevent further cracking. Drill a hole at the ends of the crack to stop it from propagating.

The only evidence would be the extra rivets around the patch.

Welding will cause distortion and I don't know how bad that will be. Post some pictures so we can see.

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: New Starcraft captain

Attached are a couple pictures of the crack. The guy I bought it from said that he had caulked it and that the caulk had prevented leaking, but it sure does not look pretty. I was thinking that a possible solution would be a fiberglass mat that is longer and wider then the crack and epoxy it in place with JBweld on the outside, though I don't know how well epoxy on aluminum would hold. It appears to be in an awkward place to access from the inside, I might have to remove the deck to access it, but of course that is nothing compared with a hole in the hull. Also, the other pic is of my deck.... have to love that blue/ green combo note to self.... remove green flooring!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: New Starcraft captain

Hmmm, that is a long one!

Maybe welding, but if it were me.....

I might go the route of a new piece of aluminum on the inside, or the outside, or maybe both, slathered with 5200 and bolted in place with stainless. Good as new!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New Starcraft captain

I think I would try to have it welded. Drill the ends so it doesn't expand.

 

[chamm63]

Re: New Starcraft captain

hey just an idea
we use gluv-it on rivets and seams
so why not try it on that crack with
pushing gluv-it into it and build it up and sand it smooth

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: New Starcraft captain

I would go with welding. Best bet is find a builder or repair that specializes in Aluminum welding. Don't try to just find any shop that says oh yes we can probably do that. I live three blocks from a builder that does all aluminum boat refiting for Alaske fishing. I know what can be done as they build transoms and sea drive mounts all the time. You should not have to remove the floor for a good welder.

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: New Starcraft captain

I would go with welding. Best bet is find a builder or repair that specializes in Aluminum welding. Don't try to just find any shop that says oh yes we can probably do that. I live three blocks from a builder that does all aluminum boat refiting for Alaske fishing. I know what can be done as they build transoms and sea drive mounts all the time. You should not have to remove the floor for a good welder.

There are a couple marinas in my area that say they do welding, but I'll look around to find someone who specializes in aluminum welding... would this application be specific to someone who does boat work or would any experienced aluminum welder be fine do you think?

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: New Starcraft captain

It looks to me from the picture the alum. corroded away along that edge and did not crack. So the alum may be real thin on both sides and will require a welder to weld a patch.
If only these old tin cans where build out of alittle heavier metal, they would be easier to weld back together. Keep us posted on how you fix it and include pictures.

 

[nowback]

Re: New Starcraft captain

that crack doesnt look like its on the flat rather the tip of the rib.
which would make it quite hard to put a patch on the back side.
i would say weld it up,,, mig might be best in that area.
I tried to tig a patch on the bow of my starcraft and it didnt go well
it was on the flat and it wanted to crack next to the weld, didnt matter
how small i tried to make the tacks to keep things cool it just cracked more.
I am not an expert alu welder but i have done enough that i didnt have any
problem making a nice weld it just wouldnt stop cracking.
matt

 

[nowback]

Re: New Starcraft captain

It looks to me from the picture the alum. corroded away along that edge and did not crack. So the alum may be real thin on both sides and will require a welder to weld a patch.
If only these old tin cans where build out of alittle heavier metal, they would be easier to weld back together. Keep us posted on how you fix it and include pictures.

I would say that more the result of constant bumping against a dock or something like that. I am sure I could spool gun that up, just have to
be on the trigger lots then do a fair bit of sanding / grinding with a
flap disk.
matt

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: New Starcraft captain

173 a good welder with Aluminum wont have to be a boat guy just familar with the product. I to wish they had used a little heaver Aluminum but have to work with what you have. Good lukk I see the bad spot as possibly in the best place to repair. Its level easy to reach seems real workable the fold in the design gives it a bit more to weld to I think. Best of luck keep us posted.