Starcraft Chieftain 18

[35anngt]

Hello everyone. Brand new to these forums, and boats for that matter. I have always been a car guy, finishing up some builds at the moment. But I inherited a Starcraft Chieftain 18, after some research I believe that is the model, after my grandfather passed about eight years back. Last I knew the reverse was out on it, and the boat has sat unran since then. My inclination was to throw it on Craigslist, and make some money for a blower for my cars or something. Well, I got to thinking about it and I thought, "I have a boat.. A BOAT." And from there the possibilities for my new untapped into hobby starting taking shape in my imagination. It is in need of some restoration of course, and I am here to learn more about it, boats, and the restoration process. I will be having it looked at by a local shop, but just as with my cars, I will want to know what is going on. Looks like I have a new money pit! Ill attach some pics. It is a 1976 model.

 

[35anngt]

Re: Starcraft Chieftain 18

Next question, the tarp that used to be it tore. Where can I get a replacement?

 

[cpdchap]

Re: Starcraft Chieftain 18

Welcome 35!! You have come to the right place the guys here are great and very willing to help. As for the tarp question, we will have to let one of the Chieftain specalist answer that.

 

[Grandad]

Re: Starcraft Chieftain 18

Welcome to Iboats. She looks to be in salvageable shape. Check out the many restoration threads you'll find here. One thing for sure about the top. Get something to cover her up. The sun bleaches and destroys whatever it can and so does rainwater. Many of the restored boats were found to be damaged from water from above, not water from below. - Grandad

 

[barato2]

Re: Starcraft Chieftain 18

nice boat! we'll be waiting for the pix of the 6-71 poking up through the doghouse roof soon.......

agree with everything Grandad said, cept change that first word to "Most"

i assume you mean a storage cover for the entire boat and not just a bimini for cockpit area. for my 18' Starchief (essentially same boat as yours for these purposes), i got a cover designed for a walkaround cuddy cabin boat since they're not making boats this shape any more and thus no one i'm aware of makes custom covers. went with one for a slightly longer boat since this one's windshield sticks up a bit further. it fits well altho there's enough slop that i wouldn't trailer with cover in place. cost me abt 390, IIRC.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Starcraft Chieftain 18

Howdy 35 and welcome to iboats!

Most of the time I believe they called those 18 footers Starchief's (just a smaller version of the Chieftain).

She'll make a great project!

 

[laurentide]

Re: Starcraft Chieftain 18

35, I have one (a '74 model) that I just finished tearing down, and I'm in the beginning stages of putting back together. You can check out my thread in my signature. Mine's a pretty bare bones rebuild, but there are some incredibly detail oriented professional restorations here, too. Here are a couple of 18' outboard projects that both came out great (one's a Starchief and one's a Chieftain, but they're the same boat, different names):

http://forums.iboats.com/boat-restoration-building-hull-repair/1974-starcraft-chieftain-18-ob-refit-472217.html

http://forums.iboats.com/starcraft-boats/got-me-starchief-508812.html

Good luck!