1978 Starcraft Chieftan 18' - Starting point

[Watermann]

Hey JP I was wondering what happened to you and your Chief, So you have a couple choices for sealing the wood, spar urethane or epoxy resin. I use Helmsman spar due to the ease of finding it and using it, no mixing or worries about it kicking or turning hard and the cost of spar is way lower.

 

[jbcurt00]

I'd use epoxy.

Many have used spar varnish/urethane.

The keys, IMO, are to use a sealer and maintain the boat. That includes regularly checking any and all wood that's been sealed to make sure it's still keeping the wood sealed. Keeping the boat bow high, covered with the drain plug out is all part of taking good care of the boat, whether you've rehab'd one or can afford a brand new boat.

 

[jpstude]

I am still trying to find out what model my outdrive is. I posted a thread on the Mercruiser forum, a bit ago, but will post one here, too, just in case on of you fellows might have the answer. We know it's a 140 hp mercruiser ('78), and it has a 17 spline drive shaft... numbers are long worn off the outdrive, and the gimbal housing # is 51514T. I need to find out what model (serial #, whatever) so I can work on fixing it, or buying another one.

 

[dozerII]

It's going to be tough to pinpoint the year, but by the one picture you have and the pictures in the Mercruiser section "For Adults Only" on identifying the outdrive it looks Like and MC1, does it have the two pucks on either side of the gimbal ring for the trim sender and trim limit switches? If so that makes it an MC1 1976-1982 I believe.
Hope that helps, post up a couple more pics of your drive.

 

[jpstude]

Yep, it has the two hockey pucks. Most of the tag is gone from the back of the unit, but I did find the numbers 5131382 stamped on what's left of the tag, but they don't seem to show up in any searches. Also, the upper tag just says 140. - I'll look again at the adults only section. - Thanks dozerll

 

[jpstude]

Removed the port side tag, and sure enough 5131382 is stamped into the metal underneath it. It sure doesn't show up anyplace.

 

[dozerII]

Removed the port side tag, and sure enough 5131382 is stamped into the metal underneath it. It sure doesn't show up anyplace.

The info I just found says Ser # 3332138 thru 5157668 = 1972-1978 which should put yours in the 77-78 range.

 

[jpstude]

AHA! Perfect! Now I know what to use for parts. You rule!