1978 Starcraft Chieftan 18' - Starting point

[jpstude]

I picked this up, last week in Oregon. Paid three figures for boat and trailer. Hull is in good shape, engine runs great, outdrive needs help (broken shift cable), needs paint, and new aft deck flooring.
I will have a ton of questions, I'm sure, as I'm new to Starcraft. - J.P.

 

[bob johnson]

Re: 1978 Starcraft Chieftan 18' - Starting point

outside looks nice.....but you will have to cough up wether it was closer to $100 or $999... ha ha ha good luck

 

[classiccat]

Re: 1978 Starcraft Chieftan 18' - Starting point

Welcome to the Starmada J.P.!

Great project for < $999.99!

now quit teasin' us and post more pics :hungry:

 

[InMotion]

Re: 1978 Starcraft Chieftan 18' - Starting point

Welcome man! nice looking rig.... no doubt it will turn out to be a great rig when you are done with it!!

J.

 

[jpstude]

Re: 1978 Starcraft Chieftan 18' - Starting point

She was $900 out the door, so it was a great deal, for me. the owner mentioned the new seats, he put in prior to selling her, and after doing a little research, I discovered they are Garelick seats with the hydraulic mounts, adding up to around $1000, and thats not counting the loose spare smaller Garelick w/mount, in the cabin. So, I don't think I got hurt, on the deal, at all... so far.

 

[barato2]

Re: 1978 Starcraft Chieftan 18' - Starting point

you kicked butt on the deal so far, even if you have to buy a whole replacement outdrive. ESPECIALLY on the upper left coast.

welcome, and i second the plaintive cry for pix. any work on this one will be cake compared to them big old girls you're used to.

 

[Weep'n Willy]

Re: 1978 Starcraft Chieftan 18' - Starting point

Well that is a pretty damn nice looking Chief! Less than a grand is always a great price, even if you put 2 - 4 more into it it will certainly be a nice rig. Eyeballing Craigs over the winter may get you a nice outdrive for relatively cheap price. Looking forward to the progress. Good luck on the new rig.

 

[ShowMeGuy]

Re: 1978 Starcraft Chieftan 18' - Starting point

I concur... that is a pretty clean lookin Cheif esp for 900 bucks... What shape is the motor in?
Oh.. BTW.. We must have more pics...

 

[jpstude]

Re: 1978 Starcraft Chieftan 18' - Starting point

OK, OK, I'll get some pics and post 'em. The pics, on this, and other threads, are great to see, but also a great tool for everyone. Thanks for the input, gentlemen, - Happy trails - J.P.

 

[barato2]

Re: 1978 Starcraft Chieftan 18' - Starting point

particularly a tool to help keep the collective inspiration going when the progress seems discouraging for some

 

[jpstude]

Re: 1978 Starcraft Chieftan 18' - Starting point

OK - Here are a few more closer-up pics. BTW, as soon as I pulled the tarp off, it started raining so, I hurried through these. Stern - someone changed the fuel tank to the engine compartment (filler on stbd - it has old school stationary, but manually adjustable trim tabs (they will probably go, if they aren't needed) - Various hole for various attachments, but not really very many. This one shows two of the only three creases in the hull. The other one is behind these two. - Here is the other crease. All in all, not bad. I'd bet they came from docking, as the helm is on this side of the boat. As you can see, the last owner was replacing the aft bulkhead. I'll remove it, and the top plate, so I can get a good look at the transom board to see if it needs replacing. Aft interior - there are the seats I mentioned - a little dusty but man, they're nice. I must have reached my limit on this post... Hold on, I'll be back

 

[jpstude]

Re: 1978 Starcraft Chieftan 18' - Starting point

- Forward cabin - Nothing to see here, as I already removed the cushions (which will be replaced) - It's dirty, and will get re-vamped, with some mahogany, and other stuff. - stbd side of the nose - - Stbd side - Nothing really to see here. Too close to the house to get better pics, but I looked her over good, and there are no creases, or dents, on this side, just a few scuffs in the paint. - Well, folks there you have her, so far. Now, it's time for you guys to give me your input... Whaddya think?

 

[classiccat]

Re: 1978 Starcraft Chieftan 18' - Starting point

I think you've done good! Morse controller, fancy hydraulic seats, gazlllion-gallon fuel tank...all in a seemingly clean boat.

You're pulling-up the rear deck so we'll see what you have for floatation.

I wonder how many full restorations started with someone saying that they only had to replace 1 section of deck :lol:

 

[jpstude]

Re: 1978 Starcraft Chieftan 18' - Starting point

Thanks, BlueFin - Ahhh, yes... Flotation. If there is none, or if its shot, I'll be wanting advice on replacement material, that's for certain. Also, she has 1/2" decking, and I'm wondering about using 3/4 or even 7/8 to replace it with. I know it's a weight issue, but I'm a firm believer in the "there is no success like excess" attitude when it comes to strength. And I wonder if I can use thicker ply for the transom (if it's 1/2", too) for a replacement. Last transom I replaced I used 1 1/4" ply (but it was on a glass boat), and resin coated both sides, and all edges. Worked great.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1978 Starcraft Chieftan 18' - Starting point

Transom is likely 2 layers of 3/4" ply laminated together, w/ a 1/2" ply 'collar' around the keyhole to make the keyhole thickness 2-2 1/4" thick.

You could go to 3/4" thick ply for the deck, but it may cause fitment problems w/ the cabin bulkhead & gunwale trim panels:

And the panels surrounding the doghouse:

But to gain a substantially more rigid deck, all of those components could be trimmed if re-useable, or the new panels could be made smaller.

Definitely no need to go w/ 7/8" ply for the deck.

 

[Weep'n Willy]

Re: 1978 Starcraft Chieftan 18' - Starting point

Overall I would say she looks in real good shape. I concur on the floor thickness as the side wall panels and cabin walls would certainly have to be shortened. I replaced my flooring with same thickness as original and everything seems to fit back together quite well and the floor is still plenty sturdy. As a fisherman that mostly trolls the fuel cell in the rear would be a real problem for me as it takes up so much more room especially since the top plate is larger than most other boats. I have considered trimming it back some to give more room but still undecided yet on that move.

 

[Yeonik]

Re: 1978 Starcraft Chieftan 18' - Starting point

I used 5/8 ply for my deck and on my test fit she was solid. Next to no flex. 7/8 would overdo it too much I think. You'd have so many issues getting her back together correctly - that's an extra 3/8 of an inch on the deck =D

 

[jpstude]

Re: 1978 Starcraft Chieftan 18' - Starting point

Thanks, guys! I think I will try the 5/8" ply for the decking. I may need to attach some bracing to the bottom side of the new plywood, under the floor (if there is clearance), for the seat mounts. The fuel cell is sitting (not mounted yet) in the hole backwards. As you can see, the fuel-filler is out front, and it actually goes in the rear, to attach to the fill connection, on the transom. It's shorter than the pic makes it look. I'll turn it around, slide it in place, and shoot another pic, so you all can see if it clears the bulkhead. I'm thinking it's 15-20 gallon. Additionally, it may be rusty, or have holes, I dunno yet. If I had to replace it, it wouldn't break my heart. OK, I need to get on this project, so I have progress pics, and discover what questions lie ahead. Thank you all for the great input... I need the help - J.P.

 

[barato2]

Re: 1978 Starcraft Chieftan 18' - Starting point

even allowing for the rain making your paint look inordinately shiny, you friggin STOLE that boat @900.

5/8 will do fine, just save all your scraps for doublers under seat bases and at panel junctions. BF, he may in fact just need to replace the rear fllor panel....Depending on how boat was last parked, on the little cruisers, it's often the only part exposed to elements, and invariably where leaves etc collect.i'm not going to have to replace any but the rear section in my Starchief.

it looks like the standard steel 18 gal tank that came stock in many SCs....inspect closely for pinholes and if you'll be using in salt water, just replace it now. gas in bilge = BOOM. my '64 Starchief (same boat as yours, they just renamed it) got a conversion by previous owner to a 19 gal AL tank mounted up under the bow furniture, right under the red cover in your 1st photo....fits nicely and no doubt helps with the weight distribution. this hull (also used on Holidays, SSs and i think some years of Mariner) tends to ride low in the stern as it comes from factory and thus likes some of the large masses moved forward. look at Moeller tank model # 30524; it's the same shape as the one i have and i suspect would fit in the same place.

 

[jpstude]

Re: 1978 Starcraft Chieftan 18' - Starting point

Barato2 - Thanks for the input. The paint is crummy, as they rollered it on, and didn't tip it, or do any masking. She'll get repainted. We're thinking white, and whatever shade of blue Starcraft uses on them. I want her fairly traditional looking. Yep, after you comment, I've decided to just replace the tank, safety first. Additionally, it will get moved back forward, where it belongs. I will definitely check out the tank you suggested. But, first of all I have to figure out how to get to the shift arm, on the outdrive, and see whether it locked up, or if it's just a cable problem. Although the engine runs great, I will check it out, too, and see if it needs anything, as well. I want to get all of the mechanicals in order before anything else. Sound right?