Should I buy 74 Chieftan

[liftinglarge]

I found a 1974 Starcraft Chieftan 24' that is asking $2000 for. I havent seen it yet but have some details. 5.0 liter engine, aluminum hull, interior looks in good condition. Owner said it was in the water last summer and blew hydraulic lift seals. From the pictures looks to be in good shape. Thoughts??

 

[alumi numb]

Re: Should I buy 74 Chieftan

don't know you situation or true condition of the boat but this is how i see it since getting my islander 22.
the saying everything old becomes new again couldn't be more true with these boats.
with the cost of fuel today i feel aluminum hulls have a distinct advantage over glass.
everything else equal the lighter hull will have better economy and performance.
in short sounds ok to me.
after mine is fully restored i'm thinking about finding a chieftan and redoing it also.
if your good with a mig or tig you can do anything to these hulls.
good luck.

 

[projecthog]

Re: Should I buy 74 Chieftan

Hello, GO FOR IT!

I just did the same thing, went and looked around after getting rid of my heavy 25 foot fiberglass battlecruiser and came up with a (1974?) 21 foot Chief, or at least I think it is a 21 footer. (I put the money down without any hesitation at all, and was on my way to work again in less than 15 minutes.)
It turns out that it was just redone with a brand new motor and outdrive by a reputable dealer and the boat was cleaned and gone over as well.(It was even shrink wrapped! (Winter coming.))
I put my money on it that fast, as I found that they are hard to keep under cover, and mainly because of the drive being newly rebuilt. Did I get a deal? Yesssss!

I would say YES go for it and secure it, as long as the hull doesn't have any bigger holes than 3 inches in it, it'll fly!
They are just that kind of boat, go and go, and then you put a few more dollars into it and go and go again.
Unless you are paying an exorbitant amount of money for it, you cant really go wrong. (Of course there is exceptions to any deal!)

The Aluminum hulls are very fixable and easy to work with, the drives are also very common, and easy to get parts for.
The bonus for me is the Chevy motors, I always liked them, they are so easy to get parts for and you can often replace main components with automotive parts, they interchange easily.

Something to look for is rot in the lower transom area at the center by the keel, and on the inside the support(s) in that area, and of course the plywood floors could be soft or bad, and rivets could be loose. The general shape of the boat will usually give an impression that won't be far off the mark.
If the motor and out drive are weak or iffy, you could have some money to spend but again...depending on what you spent on the boat and the shape of it, it may be worth it if you like working on things, and maybe you won't have to do anything at all.

Other than that, the Chiefs and Islanders are a heck of a nice easy boat to deal with and you will not likely regret owning one. Always more fun per pound for your dollar!

Projecthog.

 

[projecthog]

Re: Should I buy 74 Chieftan

Me again,

Duh, you said $2000, I'll wake up in a minute.

That is not a bad or way overpriced amount for a Chief that age, I just laid down 3000 for mine, and did'nt think anything of it. I know I got a good deal because of the rebuild.
But 2000 bucks for a boat isn't a lot to start with, and if yours runs decent and stays afloat and maybe needs a bit of makeup, you have a sound investment I think.
I am convinced that you will have your money's worth out of it in one season.
Again...Go for it!

Projecthog.

 

[alumi numb]

Re: Should I buy 74 Chieftan

just watch someone pull the same size fiberglass hull out on a steep ramp and you will be very happy with your choice.

 

[projecthog]

Re: Should I buy 74 Chieftan

yup,

I'd rather switch than fight
The 25' was a heavy girl and a bother, but a friend is having fun with it, so everyone is happy.

PH.

 

[alumi numb]

Re: Should I buy 74 Chieftan

i'm going to brag a little and am off subject in a way but than maybe not.
the perfect combo for the ramp is an aluminum hull and a diesel truck.
just ahead of me was an 18' bass boat and a gas chevy.
the ramp was wet as usually are and he was smoking the tires pulling the rig out.
i backed in "04.5 dodge cummins 6 speed" hooked up the 22' islander and idled out no tire spin at all.
never once put my foot on the peddle.
my grandson walked up the ramp watching the boat side by side.
the guy in the chevy couldn't believe it.
he stood there staring the whole time rather than messing with his boat.
in short little did i know how lucky i was when i picked up my islander.
truck get 20 mpg at 65 mph pulling her, i'm in heaven.
phog the engine is great, thanks.
someday i will look out the window and see the islanders sister a chieftain.

 

[projecthog]

Re: Should I buy 74 Chieftan

Good deal, sounds like you have your equipment matched for business! Hope you'll have a good time this summer coming.

I have a few things on the go and another boat bought!
I am a sucker for boats, sigh!
I just bought, sight unseen, a 19.5f 1981 Citation with a 4 cyl. M/cruiser ( I believe it to be a "Caribbean") Its a cuddy.
I was in the truck delivering a load in a city not too far from home, when I came across the boat just mentioned.
The day before I had lost two potentially "cheap" aluminum hulls because I couldn't get there fast enough, one with a part drive system, and the other a starcraft open runabout with an Evinrude on it.
This Citation is a pretty good looking boat (but fiberglass.) and the guy was willing with my price. Then I went and met him at his workplace and couldn't take the time to see his boat. To make a long story short, I paid him his price and took one heck of a chance with that.
Well....
The boat turned out to be a gem from the word go, and I brought it home.
Now I still want to look for a 22 foot open runabout to convert to I/O from outboard, as I have never done that yet.
I will do all of these things but not today
At least I have my fishing boat for the more shallow lakes at home here and I will enjoy it, as it is a turnkey affair and in good shape, plus it has the I/O drive that will go in an eventual (Starcraft of course) aluminum runabout.(My way of re-circulating aluminum favourites, while minimizing fiberglass polution) Always thinking ahead lol.
I also have that Chief, so I can go for a longer more comfortable cruise(Not alone ) and fish the Islands I like in Georgian bay and Lake Erie and Huron.
And all of that on a shoestring!(The price I paid for the glass boat wouldn't even buy the lower leg! Trailer came with it too!)
Phew!
But I am happy, I got a good summer coming up, projects in waiting and adrenalin flowing!
But I am babbling again, so I'll take my pill and relax.
Good going with the diesel pickumup, that's the way to go, torque in excess!
I wasn't able to do that this year for the money I spent on the boats, but I will have one someday:redface:
We may indeed run across each other in some lake somewhere, you never know! the world is getting smaller as we speak!
Wish you the best Christmas and a speedy return of summer, take care.
PH.

 

[projecthog]

Re: Should I buy 74 Chieftan

Ahh...
Gotta learn not to hog someone elses post.:redface:
I will do pennance!
PH.

 

[alumi numb]

Re: Should I buy 74 Chieftan

how's going PH, i'll probably get chastised for straying of course also.
never know about meeting up, wife and i need to get around a little more.
grandson and i are going skiing next week.
sixty four, been on ski's thirty two years now and still feel like a kid, illinois, colorado, utah and idaho.
glad to hear about you good deal and hope many more come your way.
those good deals make you feel giddy don't they.
ran across one myself but a little smaller.
junk busted up 18' reinell, cracked block, no head, lower unit off but the trailer was perfect with new wheels and tires.
picked it up for $85.
the 120 engine still had the altrnator, distributor, lift cylinders and new hoses, 18 gal fuel tank all good and i kept them.
hull went to the land fill and i scrapped the metal.
the reaction my grandson got when that big steel wheeled thing ran over the hull was worth every penny.
pretty much ended up with a free trailer and it's being converted to a gen. use hauler.
still have my eye out for for a chieftain to set next to the islander.
can't see any reason to ever part with the islander.
well unless the grandson wants it some day.
anyway have a good one and don't give up with the boats.

 

[projecthog]

Re: Should I buy 74 Chieftan

Naahh,
Give up boats? hmmmph..never!

Gotta go though Lume,
I feel like an infiltrator on some one else's post (That's proper upbringing, but no manners!)
We'll get on dedicated yack post sometime, I like to talk but always too much
PH.

 

[geedubcpa]

Re: Should I buy 74 Chieftan

2000 isnt bad if the boat is in nice condition - I paid 400 for mine, but I am putting in new seats, carpet, flooring and it was minus a motor. So by the time I am done I will have 2000 easy in mine, but it will be a total rebuild. I already had a 1999 motor, so not having a motor was no big deal.

My boat is a 1981 ss160.