starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

[humboldtbrad]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

well I found a donor boat with a merc 160 and a outdrive for 400 but how fast will the boat go will it have enough power to handle rough seas

 

[jasoutside]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

a new cobra marine 350ci v8 with 330hp with a matching out drive,

Man, we went from a NEW engine to an anchor in no time! Yikes!

Here's the best news...

You didn't pay for it! Yah buddy!!!!

When you say 160, we talking about the Inline 6 right (165 hp)?

If so, I'd think that would be a good match for that boat. You won't make it a speed boat but I think it would push it nicely and be quite efficient on fuel.

Make sure you get it running on muffs and check compression, at minimum.

 

[64osby]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

well I found a donor boat with a merc 160 and a outdrive for 400 but how fast will the boat go will it have enough power to handle rough seas

Sounds like a nice deal and a whole lot less than an OB bracket and twins. But if you have the cash it would be sweet.

If you can get a sea test on the donor, do it. I once looked at an I/O boat, seller insisted the head had just been redone. 3 minutes on the water and it quit. Oil looked like a milkshake.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

Dont spend a dime on that OMC motor!
Gut her and sell the parts that are good for $$$$, the outdrive will bring good $$$ too

If you took a V8 out, put a V8 back in..
The Inline 6, 165hp is a great motor, but Id want two of them in that beast..Love twins...ahhhh twins...

 

[humboldtbrad]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

for an outboard how much horsepower should I look for does anyone have a 25' islander or chieftain with an ob.
I would be interested to hear what your running and what kind of speed you get out of it
I was thinking a 150 but i'm not sure if it will cut the mustard with 4 people and all our gear
let me know what you think
does anyone know the dry weight of the 25' chief doesnt have to be exact

 

[64osby]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

does anyone know the dry weight of the 25' chief doesnt have to be exact

[h=1]1977 Starcraft Marine Chieftain 25 Express HT[/h]

This inboard/outboard cruiser is 24.67 feet long and weighs 2575 (pounds dry). This weight does not account for passengers, fuel, or gear. The beam of this craft is 96 inches. Copied from iboats

 

[jasoutside]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

I do believe a 150 would push it just fine. But yah, if you want some healthy speedo numbers I'd think you'd want to bump up to a 200 or better. Beware though, your fuel bill is going to be a lil painful compared to the equivalent hp IO.

Are ya thinking ob on a bracket or on the transom?

Twin 150 ob's on a bracket would be totally awesome

 

[barato2]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

in fairness, you're talking two different leagues $wise.
donorboat with good V8 I/o drivetrain can be had for <$1000 if you're not in a hurry, or willing to drive to get it.

a bracket will be more than that alone unless you weld it up yourself, and a BIG OB (i'd concur with Jas and say that a single 150 will be marginal when boat is loaded, esp if you replace all the camping amenities, so you're looking 200-250hp) will be thousands more. twins? double everything $wise.....impeller for a 200 prolly costs abt same as for a 150.

and your fuel bill with twins might need to come with some K-Y......

not sure about your climate in fortuna, but if winterizing is not going to be the issue it would with our northern bretheren, i'd go with the I/o. will you be using in saltwater or freshwater primarily?

 

[humboldtbrad]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

salt water will be the main use. it will be stored in doors and it rarely freezes so winterization wont be a big deal. I'm going back and fourth about it I'm leaning toward a merc 165 i/o from a donor I figure the 165 will push it fine and the fuel wont be crazy. does anyone think the 165 wont be enough it is what the boat originally came with.

ok so new topic I'm going to reseal the cab it has a few leaks. so the interior paneling is wet and I'm going to replace it but with what? I dont want to install anything that can absorb water so any ideas will be great

has anyone tried any bottom coatings for the hull I am wanting to seal the bottom but have no idea what to use?

and my last question will a 25-30hp kicker be enough for trolling a secondary engine just in case

 

[jasoutside]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

salt water will be the main use. it will be stored in doors and it rarely freezes so winterization wont be a big deal. I'm going back and fourth about it I'm leaning toward a merc 165 i/o from a donor I figure the 165 will push it fine and the fuel wont be crazy. does anyone think the 165 wont be enough it is what the boat originally came with.

ok so new topic I'm going to reseal the cab it has a few leaks. so the interior paneling is wet and I'm going to replace it but with what? I dont want to install anything that can absorb water so any ideas will be great

has anyone tried any bottom coatings for the hull I am wanting to seal the bottom but have no idea what to use?

and my last question will a 25-30hp kicker be enough for trolling a secondary engine just in case

Well if I were in your shoes, for salt use, I'd be leaning toward an OB set up.

All sorts of options for cabin bulkhead, but, I'd be thinking about deck, transom, driveline.... all sorts of stuff before you get to that point.

To seal up your boat you'll want to pull the deck/foam up and out, give it a super good cleaning, and lay down Gluvit on the inside.

A 25/30 hp kicker would be waaaay plenty (too big?). I'd think a 10/15 would troll that rig fine. If you need more pushing power just crank up the main.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

ok so new topic I'm going to reseal the cab it has a few leaks. so the interior paneling is wet and I'm going to replace it but with what? I dont want to install anything that can absorb water so any ideas will be great

How about FRP panels? http://www.lowes.com/pd_8566-293-FT...&pl=1&currentURL=/pl__0__s?Ntt=frp&facetInfo= Wrfalpacas used it on the ceiling of his Starchief and it looked awesome.

 

[humboldtbrad]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

looks like some good stuff I'll see where I can get it around here I live in a black hole so to speak (no box stores)

I'm trying to track down an outdrive, I'm going to fix the engine thats in it and run with it.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

I'm going to fix the engine thats in it and run with it.

Have ya priced out what that will cost man? I'm nervous you'll be throwing good $$ after bad.

$1500ish to rebuild, $1000ish for a good used outdrive = $2500 (rough numbers mind you)


Or....

I'm kinda thinking if you go the donor boat route, grab an up to date driveline for the same or maybe even less cheddar

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

Most big boats 19-23 ft On thh Washington Salt water use a 9.9 to a 15 hp - for a Kicker ,works fine. Size and power ?? I have a 22 ft Holiday that is loaded with gear @ batterys cary 35 40 gallons of gas. Powered by a 200 HP Johnson OB and a Merc 4 stroke 9.9 kicker. The 200 will push 50 mph ( GPS ) but cruse at about 25 mostly. Uses a fair amount of gas but worth the Xtra H P .I always prefer the OB ,I have had three boats 23 ft and 2 -19 Glass boats with Inboard motors I feel for one who uses a boat ,not to much, a better fit as I can yank a OB off and replace it and be back on the water next day. Cant do that with any major Inboard problem The 23 Glassers were. older. 1 Fiber Form with a fuill gally and a 160 in line chev with the dreded white leg. I had no issues with either and the 19 ft Glasplys ( Heavy Boats one was a 140 mercruser and always over heated the other had a 115 Evinrude OB both great boats. I prefer the Aluminun as Im older and less able to handle the big heavy boats .

 

[humboldtbrad]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

I found a donor boat
its a 19 foot with a 165 merc i/o on a trailer
going to check it out this weekend hopefully there are no major problems