New to the forum and looking for a 25' Chieftain in the NW

[Youngus]

Greetings!

I was so excited to find this forum with all of the information and enthusiasm for Starcraft boats. I have always had a soft place in my heart for older aluminum boats and after seeing some 25' Chieftains, I have been looking high and low. I did find one which looks straight but rough cosmetically in Washington State for $4800. Seems mighty steep for a boat that has been sitting and has a bunch of unknowns. If any members hear of one of these boats for sale within a reasonable distance from Portland, Oregon - please let me know. I am looking forward to the blood, sweat, tears and smiles that will follow. Any advice would be appreciated too. I may make the journey north to see the boat in Washington - just to get an idea what condition it is in and the experience that comes with taking in some boats.

Youngus

 

[dozerII]

Re: New to the forum and looking for a 25' Chieftain in the NW

Welcome Youngus, hope you have some luck with your search. The big Islanders and Chieftans are a pretty rare boat out west and when they do come up they want a large price.

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: New to the forum and looking for a 25' Chieftain in the NW

Welcome aboard! Those big tin boats are not very common area.. ya might need to consider a drive.. or pots of patience! But they sure look nice!

 

[heyyou325]

Re: New to the forum and looking for a 25' Chieftain in the NW

Keep an eye on CL. Tri cities seems to have Starcraft fairly often, and don't forget Boise and Spokane. It's just a matter of checking at the right time.

 

[heyyou325]

Re: New to the forum and looking for a 25' Chieftain in the NW

18' '74 Starcraft w/70hp Evinrude This ones been sitting about 40 miles out of Spokane for a week. A lot shorter than 25 ft but you might be hard pressed to find one that size.

 

[roscoe]

Re: New to the forum and looking for a 25' Chieftain in the NW

There is a beautiful 22'er, about 1600 miles east, in MN.

22' Starcraft Chieftain-1973

 

[Youngus]

Re: New to the forum and looking for a 25' Chieftain in the NW

This is one I saw far from home:
25' Starcraft

It is a bit more than I was hoping to pay but it looks like a well cared for boat. If I were to find a boat like this out east, is there a surveyor who knows these boats or? Any suggestions? I think I could have a boat transported for a reasonable fee. Does this seem like a reasonable asking price based on the cursory bit of information?

Anything to look out for in these boats? Obviously the transom...

 

[Youngus]

Re: New to the forum and looking for a 25' Chieftain in the NW

Here is the one I found in the NW.

25 FT. ALUMINUM CABIN BOAT

Looks like a project and I will have to look it over carefully. The current owner has not had it in the water but did the work mentioned in the listing. Seems high to me. Any thoughts?

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: New to the forum and looking for a 25' Chieftain in the NW

Here is the one I found in the NW.

25 FT. ALUMINUM CABIN BOAT

Looks like a project and I will have to look it over carefully. The current owner has not had it in the water but did the work mentioned in the listing. Seems high to me. Any thoughts?

That looks like an OMC stringer set-up. Parts can be problematic. Other than that, she could be a buy with some aggressive negotiation. Good luck on your search, there is a biggun out there.

 

[heyyou325]

Re: New to the forum and looking for a 25' Chieftain in the NW

For up here, that's a great price. I personally haven't had any problems with the OMC parts, but I don't have an outdrive. And if memory serves me, which it usually doesn't, that's only about 5 hrs from you. I'd check the trailer over pretty good for a trip with it that far tho.

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: New to the forum and looking for a 25' Chieftain in the NW

I too want a 25' starcraft, I have a 21' Chieftain right now. I assume you plan to use her in the salt. That trailer will not hold up being painted and tubular design. I have heard bad things about OMC outdrives, and that one looks like a project boat.
Mine a 1986 bought in Salem needed a new floor, new transom, lots of other stuff. Then after about 300 hrs of use engine broke cam gear, then outdrive bearing went out, added brakes to the trailer, replaced the axles, springs and other stuff.
Does that trailer have brakes, you will need brakes. My 21' loaded is 4,100lbs on the axles.
That trailer looks like it's got mobile home axles on it, I suspect no hydralic brakes.
i am looking for a cheap 25' with a good hull, then plan to put twin outboards on her. Or Build a tolman wood great alaskan.
Neither is in my near future.