1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

[barato2]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

VERY nice! cedar was a good choice and will reward you with optical warm fuzzies efvery time you use the boat and look at it.

 

[CraigBarnard]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

Some nice progress there CB. I can really start to see it taking shape now. Nice wood there too... cedar?

Yes Cedar. With a Spar varnish semi-glosss.

 

[64osby]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

Maybe a little JB Weld or 5200 might help the Rivnut from spinning. I used to deal with those on flat steel and at least 1 out of every 50 would spin.

Nice Ceder work.

 

[CraigBarnard]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

Got some more done on the Chieftain this weekend.
Not as much as I would have liked but progress all the same.
Side boards installed and access holes cut out.
Also made a holder for the dual battery selector switch.

 

[CraigBarnard]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

Another Saturday and a little more progress.

The carpeting is up on the sides.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

Getting closer man

 

[CraigBarnard]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

Cabin door built and first coat of varnish applied.

Didnt want to replace the steering console but it no longer fit after we relocated the doorway.

The new one is going to look so much better but the cables and wires are a bit of a hassle.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

Looking good there CB. I'm also using cedar with spar varnish. How many coats are you putting on?

 

[ShowMeGuy]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

The cedar looks nice and something different. I'm just using plywood and staining mine then spar varnishing it. I hope it turns out as good as yours....

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

^^^I did that on my dash. Looks OK to me. Went with Minwax Early American stain, one coat of epoxy and 5 coats Spar varnish. Probably over kill but what the hell.

 

[CraigBarnard]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

Looking good there CB. I'm also using cedar with spar varnish. How many coats are you putting on?

Thanks.
I am at about 3 or 4 coats so far.
The bare wood sucks up the first couple of coats real fast.

 

[CraigBarnard]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

^^^I did that on my dash. Looks OK to me. Went with Minwax Early American stain, one coat of epoxy and 5 coats Spar varnish. Probably over kill but what the hell.

Does anyone know if I can position the steering mechanism inside the console 90 degrees?
The steering cable originally came out the right side of the console and parallel to the deck.
I was hoping to turn it and have the cable come out the bottom in the hopes it clears up some room and makes for a better fit.
Thanks

 

[barato2]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

Craig, this is really impressive.....you're making huge progress on a huge boat that needed a huge amount of work...and customizing it to where it looks and works great as well.
we may have to add an "Eating the Elephant" (one bite at a time) award..........

liking that cabin door and may steal some of your ideas for the Starchief!

 

[North Beach]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

Craig, are you gonna run your steering cable under the deck? Or back under the gunwale? I don't think you can do a bunch of sharp turns with those cables if you're planning on coming out the bottom turning right and then left in a short area.

But I went back and looked at your steering box and it just might work the way you want it to. Wow I was absolutely no help whatsoever there

 

[rheagler]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

Nice work Craig! I like the way the cedar looks. Keep pluggin!

 

[CraigBarnard]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

Made some more progress.

Cabin wall done. Door done. Console done.

Wiring almost done. Hope to have that finished tommorrow.

Dual battery installation tomorrow. Then next step is out of the shelter and into the water!!!!

 

[CraigBarnard]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

All the wiring is done at the console including running wires to the fuel sending units.
Previous owner never had them hooked up.

Battery relocation done. Set up as a dual battery system now.

Also installed an auxillary starter button so I can start the boat from the engine compartment.

 

[CraigBarnard]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

Some more progress therefore some more pics.

Dual battery setup complete.

Out of the shelter and into the sunshine. Next stop the Lake!!

Outdrive all resealed and ready for install today.

 

[CraigBarnard]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

Boat is Finally Done!

Ready for the lake next weekend.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Cheiftain

Complete? Time to float!