starcraft chieftain? what should I look for before I buy

[humboldtbrad]

hello everyone,

I am new to cabin cruisers and I just want to know in simple terms where to look to see if its been beaten or not

some info on the boat according to the current owner.
he states that it is a 24' starcraft (by looking at it i'm guessing a chieftain), the hull is sound (he would trust to take it out tomorrow), the interior is shot (in the pics he sent it didn't have a sink or a head but it does have an ice box), it has two new plastic 30 gal gas tanks, a new cobra marine 350ci v8 with 330hp with a matching out drive, the trailer is in good condition, all the glass is good, this is all according to the owner.

so is it worth 500 bucks? how much does an average interior cost to replace (all work will be done by me)? what should i look for on the hull dents? bows? or is that stuff no big deal? the floors do not seem to be glassed over?

any help will be appreciated and hopefully I'll be part of the club soon

I cant figure out how to attach pics yet but I will put some up as soon as I figure it out :facepalm:

 

[JD in Milwaukee]

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

$500 on a trailer?? You must have had a mask on. Thats a steal.

 

[humboldtbrad]

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

well I haven't owned a boat bigger than 12' before so I'm not sure where to start

 

[GA_Boater]

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

Humboldt Open open up a free Photobucket account and up-load the pics there. Post the album link here. For $500 don't take too much time. After we see pics we can give advice on your questions. Welcome to iboats and hopefully welcome to the Starmada.

 

[GA_Boater]

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

well I haven't owned a boat bigger than 12' before so I'm not sure where to start

You start the same way, back it down the ramp. As far as resto work we do all sizes here, from just making a runner to all out customs and everything in the middle.

 

[humboldtbrad]

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

I realize there is value there but I don't want to get in over my head

also are these good ocean going boats I will be using it for off shore fishing and some pleasure cruising

 

[GA_Boater]

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

From your nick, I'm assuming your are in the Northwest. Yes some of the guys here do exactly that with these big ladies. Also Great Lake boating where the only difference is the water isn't salty and you hit Canada long before you hit Japan. GL seas can be rough just like the ocean.

 

[CheapboatKev]

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

Get off the internet and go buy that thing!
Did you say Cobra? As in OMC?
Even though it is an obsolete drive, if it works and is in good snuff shape to take out its a deal!

 

[humboldtbrad]

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

Get off the internet and go buy that thing!
Did you say Cobra? As in OMC?
Even though it is an obsolete drive, if it works and is in good snuff shape to take out its a deal!

obsolete I don't like that word are they hard to find parts for? are they lemons? if you could give me some detail that would be great.


and I'm in ca it can get to be some rough seas here

 

[Pugetsound]

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

What part of the country are you from?? some advise is different sometime by where you live .

 

[GA_Boater]

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

obsolete I don't like that word are they hard to find parts for? are they lemons? if you could give me some detail that would be great.


and I'm in ca it can get to be some rough seas here

HB, lets face it any boat you pay $500 for is going to need something. Do the Photobucket thing so we can see what your talking about.

 

[GA_Boater]

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

Is this the boat? http://mendocino.craigslist.org/boa/2757215826.html

 

[humboldtbrad]

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

http://s1070.photobucket.com/albums/u487/humboldtbrad/

there's the link check it out these arent great pics but let me know what y'all think

 

[humboldtbrad]

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

http://mendocino.craigslist.org/boa/2723178850.html

here is a link to the cl post it has a few pics as well

 

[elkhunter338]

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

I wish I could find a $500, 24' Cheif on the West coast. How's the trailer good enough to get her home.
If you want a 24' project boat buy it. I like my 21' Cheif but sure wish I had the 24' or 25' starcraft.

 

[humboldtbrad]

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

I wish I could find a $500, 24' Cheif on the West coast. How's the trailer good enough to get her home.
If you want a 24' project boat buy it. I like my 21' Cheif but sure wish I had the 24' or 25' starcraft.

the trailer is ok. did they make a 24' chief? or are they all 25' factory info is spotty at best so I cant be sure.

what year does anyone think this boat is I forgot to ask.

is that powerful engine too much for this boat?

I'm going to check it out on Saturday if its decent I will most likely have a new boat

 

[GA_Boater]

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

No the 350 isn't too powerful, in fact it should be a good match for a 24 footer. I can't tell if it's an Islander or a Chieftain. The main difference between a Chief and an Islander is the cabin. Chief has a larger cabin (I saw a fridge) and smaller deck space. But with 24' to play with I don't think you will suffer. Do you much of a budget for re-work?

 

[humboldtbrad]

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

No the 350 isn't too powerful, in fact it should be a good match for a 24 footer. I can't tell if it's an Islander or a Chieftain. The main difference between a Chief and an Islander is the cabin. Chief has a larger cabin (I saw a fridge) and smaller deck space. But with 24' to play with I don't think you will suffer. Do you much of a budget for re-work?

I can build/rebuild anything so it will just be parts. my budget isn't huge but I do have some working capital

 

[GA_Boater]

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

1976 brochure here I think it is a Chief, Brad. Do you have far to tow?

You can do a lot of cool things with her. Bargain the owner down as low as you can. It's been on CL since 12/16 so he might go to $500. He isn't asking a lot at $1K, but she needs some work. A couple of $K - barring engine/outdrive problems, and you can have a nice boat.

 

[humboldtbrad]

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

1976 brochure here I think it is a Chief, Brad. Do you have far to tow?

You can do a lot of cool things with her. Bargain the owner down as low as you can. It's been on CL since 12/16 so he might go to $500. He isn't asking a lot at $1K, but she needs some work. A couple of $K - barring engine/outdrive problems, and you can have a nice boat.

115 miles so its not bad and he said he'd take 500 i just hope its not worse than the pics look