1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

[CraigBarnard]

New member here.
Having a 1965 Cheiftain delivered to my house Monday night.
I know its going to need some work and these forums look like they are going to be very helpful.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

Hey Craig! Welcome!

I have seen that rig before, was that on eBay maybe?

Anyway, glad to checked in man!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

Nice boat! Good luck with your purchase and welcome to iboats! What motor does it have?

 

[GLG fishing]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

Welcome to the forum. Looks like you have a nice boat there. If you have a couple of days to kill might want to read some of the restoration threads. If you have any questions fire away as someone on here may be able to help. The search button is a great resource as well.

GLG

 

[Crazyman1225]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

Nice looking rig, good luck with the restoration. Fire all your questions to the forum. There are a great bunch of guys on here with a WEALTH of information, that are willing to help. I haven't seen a question yet that couldn't be answered.

 

[Alpheus]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

I seen that on ebay also.


Picked it up for a song.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/1965-Starcraft-C...7edQQitemZ140472104941QQptZPowerQ5fMotorboats

 

[CraigBarnard]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

Nice boat! Good luck with your purchase and welcome to iboats! What motor does it have?

Boat was just delivered this evening and it was a little dark.
The motor appears to be as described a 120 merc.

Yes I did purchase it on eBay. Was a bit of a fluke. I thought for sure someone would outbid me, lol.

Looking forward to giving it a quick fix up before the spring then a summer of enjoyment then down to a more thorough restoration.

Glad to hear that it was a good buy.

 

[TheWrks]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

Welcome yes you did pick it up for a song.....

 

[fshngho]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

Welcome Craig. It sure dosen't look like you will have to do much as she sits. When you decide to resto her, then the real fun begins. Send us mor pics of her please, we like to be in awe.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

You did get a nice deal on that. The 120 Merc should give you reliable service IF you keep it well maintained. My buddy picked up a 21' Chieftain last fall with a 90HP outboard. I expect you'll see similar performance with your 120 I/O. It isn't fast but it planes nicely. About 26MPH tops. You may see a little more. Some pics and video here http://s176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/Chris Boat/?start=all if you're interested.

 

[barato]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

nice boat, Craig, and welcome to the insanity. always glad to see more of the old curved-windshield cruisers. thanks for getting the old girl headed back towards the water.

 

[CraigBarnard]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

You did get a nice deal on that. The 120 Merc should give you reliable service IF you keep it well maintained. My buddy picked up a 21' Chieftain last fall with a 90HP outboard. I expect you'll see similar performance with your 120 I/O. It isn't fast but it planes nicely. About 26MPH tops. You may see a little more. Some pics and video here http://s176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/Chris Boat/?start=all if you're interested.

Thanks everyone!

The previous owner told me he clocked the boat using his GPS at 38-40 mph.
Not that I plan on using it as a speed boat anyways.
Cruising is the prefered speed of travel.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

Sorry but there's NO WAY IN HECK that boat sees 38-40MPH. You MAY see 30.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

Thanks everyone!

The previous owner told me he clocked the boat using his GPS at 38-40 mph.
Not that I plan on using it as a speed boat anyways.
Cruising is the prefered speed of travel.

Was it on the trailer, hooked to a truck, rolling on down the freeway when he ran that test?

Yah, 30ish seems way more realistic.

 

[CraigBarnard]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

Sorry but there's NO WAY IN HECK that boat sees 38-40MPH. You MAY see 30.

Beats me how fast it will go I was just repeating what I was told.
I will check back in with a speed report in the spring!

 

[fshngho]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

Craig, I am guessing your boat is 18 footer. If the Merc is running right I would put my money on the upper 30's...heck maybe 40. Only if the boat isn't loaded down that is. EZ's boat ran 41 mph before he had the motor tuned up and he has a 90hp so I would think a 120hp should have no problem.

 

[Alpheus]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

Craig, I am guessing your boat is 18 footer. If the Merc is running right I would put my money on the upper 30's...heck maybe 40. Only if the boat isn't loaded down that is. EZ's boat ran 41 mph before he had the motor tuned up and he has a 90hp so I would think a 120hp should have no problem.

Starchief = 18'

Chieftain = 21'

I just learned that a couple of days ago...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

Dale, a 120 I/O doesn't not compare with a 120 outboard due to the way they're rated and the large weight difference. It would be more like a 90 or a 100HP. Craig's boat is a 21 footer. He'll get 29MPH +/- 2 MPH. I'd put money on it.

 

[fshngho]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

I humbly stand corrected. 1st a 21' and 2nd its an IB.
Sorry, my mistake, you are right EZ, not the same cookie.

I was thinking OB.:redface:

 

[mj05]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

Enough talking!! Where are the pics??