Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

[cj8mule]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Thanks for the reassurance and advice on the assembly torque issue. Did you guys re-torque and go to 25 like Gus suggests? Yeah Gus the foam gasket around the outer gimbal mount does squish down but it had done that long before I even got the torque set.

Yeap I have a roller!

I just made 2 passes and called it good. (Sorta like I would do an engine head).

If you have a helper for that Nautolex, great... If you don't, you can do it by yourself by dividing it in half the length of the boat.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Didn't Dozer post some pics with using plastic and folding the Nautalex back on itself when installing it? I think it was Dozer.

 

[Watermann]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

I just made 2 passes and called it good. (Sorta like I would do an engine head).

If you have a helper for that Nautolex, great... If you don't, you can do it by yourself by dividing it in half the length of the boat.

Alright, I'll check mine after a few days and see if they need to have more torque applied or if they're set. So did you go 20 or 25 on your torque?

I've decided to do each deck piece individually so the rivets and screws are exposed and can be removed if loose or tightened, not to mention if god forbid I have to get to something under the deck. I can live with one seam and some rivets showing.

I finally found my hawkbill seal puller so I could get the old gimbal bearing grease seal out of there, that was a chore back in the hole. Good thing I have the driver tool otherwise I can't see getting that back in.

 

[crankbait cowboy]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

been having the same thoughts on the deck h20, undecided on deck down then nautalex or your plan of each seperate and exposed rivets. really on fence here, so will be watching your progress to see how it turns out and if you are happy with it. you my man are making great progress and looks great.

 

[Weep'n Willy]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Water what do you have under the deck that your would need access to? Only thing under mine is the foam so I went with installing the floor then the Nautolex. I ran the vinyl up the side of the hull with the thoughts that all water will run straight to the back of the boat and nothing would go through the seams of the flooring. As I fish I wanted to be able to wash down the entire floor straight to the bilge and avoid any fish slime going down into the hull and covering the foam and possibly leaving an unpleasant odor. Just a thought.

 

[classiccat]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Agua, I'm having similar thoughts on the deck. I haven't settled on the covering; vinyl or paint. If we start with paint and don't like it, we can pull-up the deck and cover it with vinyl :lol:

 

[dozerII]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

I'm of the same thought as cj, make it sealed to the bilge and keep it dry. I don't counter sink my rivets or fill the seams between the sheets. If for what ever reason I have to get under the deck I can see the rivets to drill them cut the vinyl with a straight edge on the seam and take a section out.

 

[Watermann]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Water what do you have under the deck that your would need access to? Only thing under mine is the foam so I went with installing the floor then the Nautolex. I ran the vinyl up the side of the hull with the thoughts that all water will run straight to the back of the boat and nothing would go through the seams of the flooring. As I fish I wanted to be able to wash down the entire floor straight to the bilge and avoid any fish slime going down into the hull and covering the foam and possibly leaving an unpleasant odor. Just a thought.

I have the octopus under there and all the lines but I am putting a pryout access hatch over it for little things like sending units I could maybe get it out through the hatch.

 

[cj8mule]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

I tried Dozers method with the plastic, but it just kindof got in my way. I had to be real careful placing that first side and get it straight... then it was a piece of cake.

I'm with Dozer and WnW with having a continous run of Nautolex especially if you put in a nice access hole for that gas tank.

 

[Watermann]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Today was productive on the Chief rebuild effort, even after having to work an overtime shift yesterday. Got the tank all fixed up and wired in with new everything. Got a good start on the flotation foam too.

Oh yeah I was able to finish up the fuel lines, foam and flooring as well. Got the pieces all set into place. We'll see what tomorrow brings for getting it all cinched down.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

You won the fight and tamed the octopus, WM. :smile: Floor looks good too. It all looks good. :thumb:

 

[pckeen]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Amazing work - looks like new.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Looking great, excellent progress:thumb:

 

[Weep'n Willy]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Looking good! You are zipping right along.

 

[dozerII]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Looking real good Water, you will splashing her before you know it1

 

[crankbait cowboy]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

GREAT WORK H20 looks real nice, and good progress

 

[Watermann]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Thanks for cruising by my dry dock guys, I know my list isn't short right now but once the decking is in and the V6, things will move along towards the end goal pretty darn quick. At least now it doesn't look like an empty shell, I was starting to hate looking at it like that after so many months. Cabin is almost ready to go back on too, just need to get the side windows installed. Then the appearance will change back to a Chief.

 

[classiccat]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

That's some really fine work on that deck Agua!

All down hill from here buddy!

 

[cj8mule]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Great job H20... looking really good.

My youngest helped me install the side windows and almost dropped one

Nautolex looks great!

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Looks great H20, we are all in it with you for the long haul man, don't forget I still have another to finish anyways.