starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

[1973Chieftain]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

You don't see very many of those big ladies, and $500 sure sounds like a steal, particularly if the engine is in decent shape! Id you are doing the work yourself, it will take a longish bit of time, but its a fun hobby and won't be too much money, a couple k maybe for a nice interior

 

[humboldtbrad]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

I am really interested in what I should look for on the hull when I go see it on Saturday are there any telltale signs of an alum cruiser I should stay away from like metal fatigue are there any spots where this happens that I should make a point of looking at?

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

Corrosion from saltwater will be the biggest thing to look for. I'll let the bigger boat guys weigh in on that, By morning I know a couple of them will chime in.

On the engine - pull the spark plugs and check for rust (sign of water in the motor), check the oil level to see if it's about the full level (over full could be water in the oil) and see if you can turn the motor over with a socket on the front pulley and the plugs out (frozen is not good) If you have a battery try spinning the motor with the plugs out and see if water shoots/sprays out of the plug holes (shouldn't). While the battery is still hooked try the tilt/trim, not a game killer but could be a bargaining point if it doesn't (I saw what looked like the out drive tied up)

Shift her into FWD and see if the prop only turns one way and the opposite way in REV. Of course prop should turn both directions in neutral.

Trailer - I would pack the wheel bearings and make sure the tires are the right pressure and not dry rotted. Check the trailer lights, make sure there are two safety chains - trailer to hitch and a bow eye chain down to trailer., Make sure the stern is tied down to the trailer on the tow eyes or at least a strap over the side to the trailer.

I'm getting tired and running out of ideas, but I think those are basics. Good luck on bringing that baby home Brad. You're gonna have fun.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

Oh man, how awesome is that $500 Big Chief!

 

[jetstreakdave]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

Its the same as mine. Jump on that sucker with both feet. It is a daunting rebuild but will be very worth it in the end. Break out your wallet and scoop it up before it is gone. Good luck

 

[ezmobee]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

You need to find out exactly what brand of drive system is has in it. OMC has been out of business for over a decade and parts and service support is getting scarce. An OMC Cobra is a little less obsolete (kinda like being a little less pregnant ) but I don't think Cobras even existed back in '76. A Mercruiser setup would be much more desirable.

That being said.....$500? Shoot, that's still a steal.

 

[bunker108]

At $500 you are not risking much and could easily part everything out for more money if it turns out to be a salvage project. Go for it!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

At this point, am I out of line asking for photos of this Chief sitting in the drive?

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

At this point, am I out of line asking for photos of this Chief sitting in the drive?

You are pushy, aren't you? Brad is going to look at her Saturday. I give him until Sunday morning.

I know the price is only $500 (and everybody says the cheap SCs are only in Michigan) and it's a no brainer (if I was looking for a biggun), but can any one help him about what to look for as hull condition? That's out of my expertise (like I have any) zone. Are there easy to look at places with out tearing her down in the sellers driveway? I think it's primary use was in salt. Just trying to help him out. I hear some shuffling going on in the Starmada drydock to make room for that big old gal. Thanks guys.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

You are pushy, aren't you? Brad is going to look at her Saturday.

Ok, yah, sorry, missed that. My bad. K, Saturday afternoon then. Or sooner

----------------------------------

OK, less of a punk more helpful....

I took a gander at the photobucket pics but I didn't see any of the bottom hull. I think that would really have my attention. Seeing as you are near the salty stuff I would be concerned with corrosion. I would crawl right up under that boat and and make a very careful inspection of everything. Look closely for pitting/damage. It kinda looks like you can see under that engine - take a close look under that, see what you can see. Again, damage/pitting.

From where I sit, I am seeing you'll need to do a complete and total rebuild, bow to stern. The whole thing. So, things like soft spots in the deck and transom - no matter, you'll have to rebuild those.

I'd also assume that driveline is worth parts or scrap only. Unless proven otherwise by a lengthy sea trial and a marine tech checking it out (not going to happen). Even then, I'd be thinking about how quickly I could remove it, sell it, and replace it with a late model Mercruiser 4.3, maybe even a 5.7.

The hull is what you are buying, take your time inspecting that.

The only other thing I'd be concerned about is if the trailer could get the big girl home

I hope that helps, cheers

 

[InMotion]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

I would agree with really inspecting the hull closely. If you see any raised white powdery spots on the hull, scratch them off with your finger nail and inspect the spot(s) closely to see if it is pitted and/or corroded. My experience with a badly pitted/corroded hull showed up after really looking closely and picking at many of the spots. Aluminum "swiss cheezes" if it really is bad.

Sounds like a great deal though!! All the best with the assessment!

 

[humboldtbrad]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

thank you all for the info I am definitely excited to go see it I just am really worried about the outdrive the owner says that the engine is brand new it just got taken out of the crate and put into the boat and that's were he ran out of money to finish it so what would I be looking at for a merc cruiser outdrive $$$ or just $

 

[jasoutside]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

so what would I be looking at for a merc cruiser outdrive $$$ or just $

Buy yourself a disposable fiberglass donor boat with a good driveline in it, sell the parts, sell the trailer, you might be into it for between $0 and maybe $1500 ish. (I'm talking about the whole driveline here, not just the leg)

Or, you could just buy the Merc outdrive and a converter kit for around $1500ish.

I like the first option

 

[ezmobee]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

An out drive that looks like this http://media.photobucket.com/image/recent/oldsub86/Legfromleft.jpg is know as the "white leg of despair"

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

The nice thing about it being a Cobra is that you don't have to hack up the boat to convert it to a MerCruiser. If the motor & drive are good and works for a few years, great. If it needs anything more than basic maintenance items, part it out and use that to fund a MerCruiser conversion...

 

[humboldtbrad]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

alright so new question I have been looking at pics of 25' chief's and the interiors all seem to have a sink and kitchen cabinets in the pics i got it doesn't seem to have that im wondering if it might be a 22' did they make 25' without the sink ect...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

The few 25's I've seen pictures of were all pretty well camper-like equipped on the inside.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

Yup, what ez said ^^^.

I looked at your photopucket photos again. The hull/cabin sure strikes me as a 24/25 footer, your interior strikes me as original, but ya, sinks and such seems to be missing. Dunno

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

Brad....Brad......Brad......Humboldtbrad. Did you get her?

 

[humboldtbrad]

Re: starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

Brad....Brad......Brad......Humboldtbrad. Did you get her?

yes I did and what a deal the pics made it look like crap the hull is 98% perfect no corosion at all. the trailer is sweet the tires are silghty weather checked, the brakes work perfect it made it home just fine. the interior is fine there are just a few soft spots in the floors and the deck needs replaced but no big deal. and now to the engine and outdrive the engine moves freely and looks in great shape it has been stored covered since it was put in the outdrive is a omc king cobra that also seems to be in good shape it also has trim tabs a ss prop a new gauge panel with gauges all in all a sweet boat and it is a 25' these ladies are big i will post pics tomorrow when i can get some in the light