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by David M
Wed Aug 15, 2012 8:57 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Bung Glue
Replies: 16
Views: 6934

I've used mahogany colored 5200, blends in very well. Sharp countersinks and tapered plugs help too.
by David M
Sat Jan 23, 2010 7:02 pm
Forum: Odds & Ends
Topic: Workshop humidity
Replies: 7
Views: 3767

During the winter months I try to keep the humidity in my shop between 40 and 50 pecent. I have had problems when it has gotten very dry, 25% or less, and when it gets over 50% it starts dripping off the windows. Mid 40s is also quite comfortable with a temp of 68 or so.
by David M
Sat Jan 23, 2010 6:48 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: cambera philippine mahogany
Replies: 10
Views: 7826

Chris Craft switched to Phillipine Mahogany (red luan) because the race rules of the day required the use of a native wood. The Phillipine islands were an American territory at the time so it qualified. The quality of the Phillipine mahogany I have been getting has deteriorated to the point that I d...
by David M
Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:38 pm
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: Installing pistons in counter-rotation Chevy V-8 engine
Replies: 8
Views: 6612

Rods will only go in one way. The crankshaft journal has a slight radius on the front and back, the rod has a slight relief on one side to accomodate that radius. The other side of the rod does not as there is no radius in the center of the journal.
by David M
Sun Jun 01, 2008 7:15 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Steam generator idea
Replies: 25
Views: 12124

A $700 appliance for $230 sounds too good to be true, I would be a little suspicious I think. I have a steam generator that I built using a 4500 watt water heater element and a collection of pipe fittings. It works well and might have cost $50. I could send you a picture if you would like.
by David M
Thu May 29, 2008 10:45 am
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Mahogany
Replies: 4
Views: 3646

If you cant find any Phillipine Mahogany locally try LL Johnson Lumber, Charlotte Michigan. It's a long way from texas, I hate to think what the freight charges would be, but...................
by David M
Thu May 29, 2008 10:38 am
Forum: Odds & Ends
Topic: Any pros here? Like what you do?
Replies: 15
Views: 8309

What they say about the grass always being greener, or the proverbial honneymoon ending, is true to a point. Making your hobbby your job will remove some of the fun, but not necessarily all of it. If you are already running your own business you are already familiar with the pros and cons of self em...
by David M
Mon May 19, 2008 3:04 pm
Forum: Odds & Ends
Topic: bail me out
Replies: 4
Views: 3079

If you want to use the automatic bailer, drill a very small hole in the top of the loop. This will prevent it from working as a syphon, but will still allow it to function as a bailer.
by David M
Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:16 pm
Forum: Odds & Ends
Topic: Homeland Security and your woody
Replies: 22
Views: 11299

I have an answer for Al regarding where to put the RFID, how about right under your skin. How much longer can it be?
by David M
Wed Apr 30, 2008 11:05 am
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Proper/Strongest Wood Cut for Frames
Replies: 12
Views: 8525

I would use flat sawn (I think it's a word, people here will certainly understand it) lumber for the frames. It's a rather minor point, but think of how a quarter sawn board could be split with a hatchet more easily than a flat sawn board. It is also generally cheaper and more readilly available. Ch...
by David M
Mon Apr 21, 2008 9:45 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Proper/Strongest Wood Cut for Frames
Replies: 12
Views: 8525

I have found Chris Craft's framed in both Mahoganies, White Oak, Cedar, Fir, and in some early post war boats some of each. Once the post war supply problems were worked out most boats were framed in Phillipine Mahogany with White oak often used for Keels, stems and parts of the transoms. A lot of p...
by David M
Mon Apr 21, 2008 9:22 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Hull Leveling Questions
Replies: 4
Views: 3779

I have not read Danenberg's books, but leveling the boat before rolling it would be unnecessary. What I normally do is set up some blocking, or horses, or something of that nature at a height such that the boat can be supported by the engine stringers when upside down. These need to be leveled athwa...
by David M
Sat Feb 23, 2008 10:37 pm
Forum: From the Club
Topic: Sunnyland, Lake Dora Boat Show
Replies: 35
Views: 34941

My wife and I are planning on attending. A get together sounds like a good idea, post a time and place, and we will be there.
by David M
Sun Dec 02, 2007 9:53 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Need source of materials for new 5200 bottom in Indiana
Replies: 5
Views: 5077

If you are fussy about your wood it is worth the drive to Johnsons place in Charlotte as they will allow you to sort through the wood, a practice that is unfortunately not as common as it used to be. If you need them to mill your planking for you, that service is available as well. Good idea to call...
by David M
Tue Nov 20, 2007 10:12 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: resaw or Plane
Replies: 16
Views: 10289

As mentioned above, end gluing your broken batten wont hold. Either scarf a new piece in or you could just sister it as it wont be seen. I have used 8/4 lumber to resaw planks from, you can easily get three 3/8 planks from one piece. I use a 14" bandsaw with a 6" riser block with a 3/4" blade. I hav...
by David M
Thu Nov 15, 2007 2:18 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: water line location
Replies: 7
Views: 6212

I stood next to an A120 once, a ton may be a conservative estimate. They are also somewhat rare, and it sounds as though you dont have one, yet anyway. How much work is being done to the boat, will it be necessary to soak up the bottom before it will float, or is the whole bottom new? While floating...
by David M
Wed Nov 14, 2007 9:47 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: water line location
Replies: 7
Views: 6212

Put a piece of tape on each corner, put the boat in the water and mark it. Why guess at it? A stripe that does not parallel the water line sticks out to me like a sore thumb. I dont know the size of the original stripe on that boat, but I would guess about 1 1/4 or 1 3/8 in the back, it will get tal...
by David M
Wed Nov 07, 2007 2:20 pm
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: Repowering a 23 ft 1961 Sea Skiff with a 350 Chev
Replies: 9
Views: 7974

Chevrolet increased the main bearing journal diameter in the small block for the 68 model year. The only engine that carried over was the 327, and was thus built with both large and small journal sizes. The large journal 327 and the 350 were built out of the same block however, so if you want to bui...
by David M
Sat Nov 03, 2007 9:25 pm
Forum: Odds & Ends
Topic: Material used on decks between the strips of teak
Replies: 6
Views: 4900

I use to build sportfishing Boats in florida. Thiacol was what we used to use on teak deck seams. I am not aware of a retail supplier, but a web search might be worth your time. It was a two part black rubber, you mixed the two parts, put it in a caulking tube and squirted it into the seams. After t...
by David M
Tue Oct 23, 2007 8:47 pm
Forum: Odds & Ends
Topic: Varnished Spanish Cedar
Replies: 16
Views: 11884

I recently restored an early 46 22-U, hull# 36, and found at least half a dozen different kinds of wood in the frames. Everything from oak to fir to cedar to mahogany. The hull had been painted and was planked with cedar. I think they would have framed them with old pallets if thats what it would ha...
by David M
Tue Oct 23, 2007 8:28 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: just bought a boat
Replies: 3
Views: 3803

If it is not the boat you hoped it would be, clean it up a little and sell it. The practice cant hurt, and something else is bound to come along.

David M
by David M
Mon Sep 10, 2007 9:26 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: botom transom plank....5200?
Replies: 1
Views: 2501

If you would rather it did not leak, use 5200.
David M
by David M
Wed Aug 29, 2007 4:39 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Riviera bolt holes??
Replies: 1
Views: 2982

I rebuilt a 16' Riviera a few years back but dont remember seeing anything that would match your description, could you post a picture?

David M
by David M
Fri Jul 20, 2007 4:51 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Bad news chines. . . ?
Replies: 4
Views: 4674

Where to draw the line, thats always the question. Replacing the whole chine "because you are there" can be hazardous. One thing does tend to lead to another, before you know it you have a new bottom. Of course now the old sides look pretty tacky next to that new bottom, so..... You definately want ...
by David M
Wed Jul 11, 2007 12:46 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Mahogany Sources in Midwest
Replies: 5
Views: 5591

Hello Brian
LL Johnson Lumber, Charlotte MI. Just south of lansing, They also have a store in South Bend IN. I know that they will let you hand pick your wood in MI, not sure about IN. Call first they will tell you how much they have in stock, ask for dark red Phillipine Mahog.
David M
by David M
Mon Jul 02, 2007 9:50 pm
Forum: Hardware & Rigging
Topic: Ladders
Replies: 2
Views: 3301

Anything permanent will look odd, maybe something that hooks over the covering board into the cockpit. Could possibly store it in the engine compartment when not in use. Just a thought.
David M
by David M
Wed Jun 20, 2007 6:11 am
Forum: Engines & Powertrain
Topic: propeller shaft
Replies: 4
Views: 4535

I believe classic boat connection, listed as a parts source on this home page can help, or try Johnson propeller (OJ props). They will make whatever you want.
by David M
Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:26 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: Pre-soaking prior to launching
Replies: 9
Views: 12695

John's comment about not leaking when new is correct, and in order to maintain that water tight bottom Chris Craft recommended removing the outer layer of planking and rebedding the canvas every other year. Even with that type of care these bottoms weren't expected to last anywhere near the 50+ year...
by David M
Tue May 29, 2007 9:27 pm
Forum: Hull Construction
Topic: good ole fashioned boat rolling
Replies: 3
Views: 4465

I think that 15 sober well coordinated people could probably manage the weight of a 17 foot hull. Have something ready to support the hull in such a manner that you can work on it. I have used pillars of cement blocks under the engine stringers. a rope anchored to something solid that you can let go...
by David M
Tue May 29, 2007 4:17 pm
Forum: Odds & Ends
Topic: Steering wheel color
Replies: 8
Views: 5806

You will drive yourself crazy trying to determine the "correct" color. If you have any white upholstery in the boat, try to match that. Or just get some color chips and pick something you like, just not a very bright white. no one will know the difference.
David M