Restoring a '62 Chris Craft Sea Skiff

14637 Views 140 Replies 24 Participants Last post by Kudzu, 2 d ago

Kudzu

Discussion Starter · Feb 26, 2021 (Edited)

Busy restoring a 1962 Chris Craft Seas Skiff. Almost have the boats hull sealed but had to take a break from laying on my back replacing, repairing and swearing at wood screws. You can replace a 100 screws, stand back and look and get ZERO feeling of accomplishment. It just doesn't show. You know you worked hard because you shoulders and neck ache so bad, but it just not satisfying work.

I have to stop sometimes and do something that 'feels good" when you stand back and look. I am going to paint the inside of the boat and needed to get at least one coat of varnish on the bright work in case there is any over spray. It is SO much easier to strip a little varnish off of bare wood than paint is. So I always put at least a couple of coats of varnish on before painting anything adjacent to it.

First I have to remove all the gauges and switches.

Stripping the bulkhead was no picnick either. Need to sand with 220 and then it will be ready for a good cleaning and some varnish.

Next is filler stain and then Varnish.

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Kenh3497

· #49 · Jun 12, 2021

I build, fly, repair, etc radio control airplanes. Some take a long time as in several years to build. NOT a full time job and my OCD, ADHD, "SQUIRREL!!!" and "OH Shinney" get in the way😂 .

One thing that holds true with all my projects is you get to the point of "90% done, 90% left to do". You work and work and work at something and seemingly make no progress and then one day it's done! You look back and see all your work and feel good about it!!!

You have a fantastic project there. One I would never take on but fully appreciate the work and time invested. Can't wait to see the finished project.

Ken

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Kenh3497

· #63 · May 1, 2022

Woodworking Wolf said:
I've heard that wooden boats tend to leak when they are put in the water after having been out for a time. Apparently the water swells the wood and stops the leaks (or at least most of them)?

I'm told that it is "a thing" to fill a wood boat with water to re-swell the wood. Sounds locical but of course to much warer and you drown the engine.

Ken

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Kenh3497

· #66 · May 8, 2022

[Then LOTS more paint scrapping. I will probably have dreams about scrapping paint. But I have got a good system going now and it is going faster.

Because I don't know.... Would a chemical paint stripper be faster? Or would that have a detrimental effect on other things like filler and waterproofers?

Ken

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Kenh3497

· #83 · 11 mo ago

What are you using for fill?

Ken

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Kenh3497

· #86 · 10 mo ago

Looking very good! Can't wait for you to get to the "90% done, 90% left to do stage! 😁

Ken

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Kenh3497

· #99 · 10 mo ago

Kudzu said:
WEEKEND UPDATE

That looks slicker than greased snot on a door knob! 😁 Very nice!!

Ken

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Kenh3497

· #115 · 8 mo ago

DrRobert said:
Amen! I had a wild idea about getting a houseboat to use as a second home after I retire. The boss thinks I’m crazy.

I think the boss is right! 😁 😁

Ken

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Kenh3497

· #121 · 5 mo ago

Been there!!! My personal theory is there are time warps/black holes that sweep through your shop from time to time. They will suck up random items and just as randomly drop those items back in a different spot if they decide to return them at all.

Ken

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Kenh3497

· #125 · 4 mo ago

Tree Hugger said:
I'm curious what the estimated value of your boat will be when finished , I'm sure quite a lot.
Just a staggering amount of work that goes into them.

I was a a small manufacturing outfit by lake Geneva,Wi.the other day looking at wood boats for fun.
(Lake Geneva is where the multimillionaires from Chicago have there summer castles and fancy boats)
Used started at 80k (42 yr old boat) , several 23' used newer were 150k +and they were building 2 at the time.
One they were building will have 2 Chrysler 440 engines with V drives is 26' and will go for a half million.

Got to talk with there two shipwrights extensively and wish I was 30 years younger ,
what a fun niche skilled trade to have.

I have a friend who's dad passed a couple years ago. He has a Cris Craft wood boat from the 70's with a Ford 400 (I think) in it. It's one of six (again I think) so a bit on the rare side. Less than a hundred hours on the boat. IIRC He had it briefly advertised for $125K. Don't know if he had any inquires or not.

Ken

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Kenh3497

· #129 · 3 mo ago

Looking real good!!! 🥰

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Kenh3497

· #134 · 2 mo ago

Too bad you didn't have a chance to run the engine before you tore it down. Setting doing nothing is hard on engines. Most likely some corrosion on valve seats and faces. But, the piston tops do look a little dark. Might as well have the crank polished while you're at it. Yes I 100% agree now is the time for any needed repairs. Looking good so far!!!!

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Kenh3497

· #137 · 1 mo ago

Kudzu said:
Waiting on parts to come in but it just about ready to go back together. Being a woodworking group I will skip detail and just post a few photos.

But “The end draws nigh”

What is the oil capacity of that oil pan? I'm not a boat guy so am currious. Thanks!!

Ken

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Kenh3497

· #140 · 1 mo ago

Bob Bengal said:
It's your thread and seems a lot of people here are gear heads, so don't hold back lol. Back in the day I could do stuff like take the carbs of a 4 cylinder bike apart but I was always intimidated about going inside the engine.

You mean something like this?

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