Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

[Watermann]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

So today:

Fabbed a new transom cover arch support from 3/4" marine ply, can't find any mahogany around here so it gets painted.

Pulled the rub rails off, most of the screws were loose so it was pretty easy work.
Pulled the bow cover.
Pulled the gunnels.
Wheeled off the inside of the transom.
Got a start on the horse collar fab.

A couple of reasons why I pulled her down further, everything was packed with dirt inside/underneath for one and the other was both the cap and gunnels had blind rivets holding them down with 90% of the rivets found to be completely loose. This boat is going to be tight when she goes back together.

Oh yeah and did you know that SC at least in that 70's era used blind rivets with steel mandrels? They leave quite the mess and of course start rusting and get loose as they go.

Some wonderful factory SC smeg in the bow and most all the seams that I have to figure out how to remove before applying Gluvit. Yup that's a hardened puddle in the keel. I'm hoping someone will pipe up with a sure fire method of getting that goop off. I'm thinking a liberal application of elbow grease. Just hope that it hasn't allowed water under it, if so you know what that means, more corrosion and pitting to be repaired.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Go get the Holiday and stash it dood.... It's all good!

The hatch and transom arch look great!

Are you using gulvit as a preventative? I'm still on the fence about it...

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

I see the purchase of some Cleco's in your future

And nice fab on the replacement transom arch piece.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

You guys hit the nail on the head alright, I should have known better. In fact I did too because I had already asked a buddy who has serious acreage to hide such a vessel, if he could keep it out of sight for me until I finished the Chief. I knew what she was going to say, "you have to finish the one you're working on before you drag another boat home." I didn't say anything, just hung my head. I told her about my buddy who would hide it at his place, yeah I know another mistake. "That thing looks like another rotted out piece of junk anyway." She softened a bit seeing my shame and said "I bet nobody else would want it besides you, it looks like total crap and it'll still be there after you get that other one finished."

Yes dear...

Been there wearing that tshirt right now.


There is a guy on the forums who knows of a Viking for Sale for $2 bills I would have it in the shop right now if it weren't for two things I don't have a flat bed to put it on NBD I can get one, and the admiral threatning divorce

I already found a 70hp Johnnyrude to throw on the back too

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Some wonderful factory SC smeg in the bow and most all the seams that I have to figure out how to remove before applying Gluvit. Yup that's a hardened puddle in the keel. I'm hoping someone will pipe up with a sure fire method of getting that goop off.

I'd leave that sealant right where it's at buddy. In each of my boats that stuff was sound and was still serving it's purpose:thumb:

 

[dozerII]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

I agree with Jason, if it's solid just leave it. Only one of the restores I've done was the seal of that goop jeopardized, and on it a wiggle under with the blade of a screw drive removed the whole thing.

 

[Watermann]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Go get the Holiday and stash it dood.... It's all good!

The hatch and transom arch look great!

Are you using gulvit as a preventative? I'm still on the fence about it...

Thanks Bear, gluvit is the best thing for sealing up inside seams and rivets on old boats. I used it on my last restore, freaking awesome stuff and a dry as a bone bilge.

And nice fab on the replacement transom arch piece.

How do you do it? Not only will I need them for putting the boat back together but also for my hull stiffening project that's soon to start. Take a look at this little problem at a rib end. I've only found 2 rib ends with the minor cracking.

Been there wearing that tshirt right now.


There is a guy on the forums who knows of a Viking for Sale for $2 bills I would have it in the shop right now if it weren't for two things I don't have a flat bed to put it on NBD I can get one, and the admiral threatning divorce

I already found a 70hp Johnnyrude to throw on the back too

Yah I'm thinking they will want a few more bills than that for the Holiday. You need a buddy to help you out with transport and hide out

I'd leave that sealant right where it's at buddy. In each of my boats that stuff was sound and was still serving it's purpose:thumb:

I agree with Jason, if it's solid just leave it. Only one of the restores I've done was the seal of that goop jeopardized, and on it a wiggle under with the blade of a screw drive removed the whole thing.

That's the ticket, but I have a hard time letting sleeping dogs lie. It does appear to be adhered very well in the keel. Maybe I will TRY to ignore it...

 

[classiccat]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Good progress Agua! I feel your pain on the gunwale cap. Mine were all lose & poppin' off as well. It amazed me how much the hull tightens-up when you put new rivets in.

can't help ya with the red "smeg"...PO made the decision for me...and replaced it with a block of epoxy :facepalm: I think if it was me in your tin, the smeg is still adhering & the surrounding metal / rivets are in good shape, I'd leave well-enough alone...probably :lol:

 

[classiccat]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Man, it looks like you had the friday night crew on those rivets :lol:

before you do anything else, drill small crack-stop holes. I delayed a bit on mine and they got bigger from all of the flippin' and hammerin'.

 

[Grandad]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Take a look at this little problem at a rib end. I've only found 2 rib ends with the minor cracking.

Those little cracks are the start of something much worse. Gluvit will only temporarily stop leaks from a hairline crack, but the crack will grow. Stop it now with a patch before it looks like this. - Grandad

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

I'm guessing you were asking about the Cleco's. They aren't too hard to use, the pliers work them in reverse. Load a Cleco in the pliers. Squeeze the cleco w/ the pliers & the cleco's fastener part retracts, and fits the hole they're sized for. 3/16" Cleco's fit a 3/16" hole. When you release the pliers the cleco fastens itself in the hole. Holding 2 or more pieces of sheet metal in alignment AND drawn TIGHT against one another. Many have been using a small nut & bolt to do the same thing, but that can be tricky depending on the panel size & may require both hands to assemble. Working by yourself, keeping the panel aligned correctly should be much easier (and MUCH quicker) using the clecos instead of nuts & bolts.

Most rivet jobs have multiple holes that all need rivets. By spacing the cleco's out, you can get an entire panel aligned, before the first rivet. In fill the vacant holes w/ rivets, then fall back & remove the cleco. Works in reverse of the installation process. Then fill the now vacant holes w/ rivets too.

So obvious but not working in the sheet metal trades I guess we couldn't see the trees for the forest. And until recently, I don't think there were nearly as many pull it completely apart & basically put it back together the same threads. So you're reusing most if not all of the original rivet holes.

Cleco's come in all the same sizes as rivets, so if you need some larger or smaller you can order them too.

The set someone posted in BlueFin's thread comes w/ 25 clecos. The set I ordered was @$26 aft shipping, is 3/16" clecos and includes the pliers. I suspect it's the same set BF ordered. Amazon had the best price I could find, just under $23+shipping.

 

[Watermann]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

A single pic to show what I've been up to today, theres a lot going on in it.

Horse collar cut sanded and primed up.
Transom cover arch the same.
Transom wood cut to the rough over sized dimensions, glued, clamped and screwed.
Bow cover completely cleaned up with a shine on.

Only thing not in the pic is the bow cover arch that came out real easy after removing everything else. I think it's going to sand up good and look nice with some spar.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Looks like a whole lot of work and a good reason to buy an outboard to me. ::

LOL looks great man

 

[dozerII]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Lots done, right there. It's all in the little things, once there all done it goes quick.
And why Sig would W want to clutter up a perfectly good I/O with a smoking smelly O/B

 

[classiccat]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Great Progress H2O! Lots to keep you busy whenever you need a break from treating corrosion!

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

I'm all caught up... Twisters, metal corrosion, Topless Chief, MBS.... Lots going on in this resto so far brutha!

Great looking shop/workspace BTW...

 

[Bestmason]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Hey Watermann I had my wife look at your project now she wants to know if I can build the to on our 1972 (1973) SS project.

Ed

 

[Watermann]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Sounds to me Ed like you need another boat! I'm assuming your thinking about having a cuddy cabin and if that's the case I can see another case of MBS on the horizon.

I think it could be done if one has the right skill set although it's best to hunt up a cabin cruiser rather than try to refit an open bow.

 

[Watermann]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Was out last night looking over the hull in the driveway and noticed how the transom was back lighted showing the holes in a creepy Halloween sort of way.

Got my work cut out for me there...The worst are the dang holes the STEEL snaps were screwed into, they look like a moon crater.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Rats.