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The Building of Miss Dot
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The Building of Miss Dot
My story begins all the way back to when I was a child helping my uncle (more like handing him stuff) build a flat bottom river boat in my father’s welding shop, I think I was 11. Didn’t know it at the time but years later I would find myself with the urge to build my own boat and so the task begins.
I always liked building things, models when I was a kid, hotrods when I was a bit older kid and somewhere along the way I got in to wood working. Something about wood intrigued me early on, all the things you can do with it, molding, shaping, carving, build furniture and houses with it and yes, boats.
When I finally made up my mind to build a boat and knowing absolutely nothing about boat building, I figured I would be better off restoring a boat (for a lack of a better word). Around 1995 I spotted a boat in my home town, I would pass it every morning on my way to work and at this time you could still see varnish on it. When I located the owner and inquired he wasn’t interested in selling, a year later, boat still sitting in the same place, I asked again but still he had big plans. Wasn’t too long after that I didn’t see it anymore but in 1998 I ran in to him at a drug store and asked if he still had it and if he was interested in selling, he informed me that it now belonged to another gentlemen that had been storing it for him (I’m guessing he stopped paying rent) and that I would need to talk to him. I did, and $500.00 later I had my “template” because now there was no sign of varnish and it had been stored outside full of trash for close to two years.
After getting it home, I cleaned it out, put some tires on the old trailer it was setting on and rolled it under my shed where it set for another two years. During this time I had all kinds of ideas of what I was going to do, modern V8 engine, jet drive, adding a foot to the length but lucky for me, and my boat, I discovered the CCABC and one of the first guys I spoke with was Mr. Wilson Wright. Before this I knew nothing about this whole other culture of vintage boats and thankfully Mr. Wright set my ass straight and I will always be grateful for that. At this same time I ran across a gentlemen that went by the name Mo and he also got me on the right track, still to this day I have the page of instructions he gave me on bottom construction.
I am forever thankful for all the help I have received here on the Boat Buzz and felt it only proper that I first share my experience from beginning to end with the ones who made it all possible. So, without further ado, please find attached pictures from the beginning to………..I don’t think there is an end,,,is there?
Over the next few days I will be posting some pics from when I started to where I am now, and very soon, launch day, thanks again guys and gals and hope you enjoy.
1941 CC Model 101 Deluxe Runabout
Hull Number 57261 of 372 Built;
I always liked building things, models when I was a kid, hotrods when I was a bit older kid and somewhere along the way I got in to wood working. Something about wood intrigued me early on, all the things you can do with it, molding, shaping, carving, build furniture and houses with it and yes, boats.
When I finally made up my mind to build a boat and knowing absolutely nothing about boat building, I figured I would be better off restoring a boat (for a lack of a better word). Around 1995 I spotted a boat in my home town, I would pass it every morning on my way to work and at this time you could still see varnish on it. When I located the owner and inquired he wasn’t interested in selling, a year later, boat still sitting in the same place, I asked again but still he had big plans. Wasn’t too long after that I didn’t see it anymore but in 1998 I ran in to him at a drug store and asked if he still had it and if he was interested in selling, he informed me that it now belonged to another gentlemen that had been storing it for him (I’m guessing he stopped paying rent) and that I would need to talk to him. I did, and $500.00 later I had my “template” because now there was no sign of varnish and it had been stored outside full of trash for close to two years.
After getting it home, I cleaned it out, put some tires on the old trailer it was setting on and rolled it under my shed where it set for another two years. During this time I had all kinds of ideas of what I was going to do, modern V8 engine, jet drive, adding a foot to the length but lucky for me, and my boat, I discovered the CCABC and one of the first guys I spoke with was Mr. Wilson Wright. Before this I knew nothing about this whole other culture of vintage boats and thankfully Mr. Wright set my ass straight and I will always be grateful for that. At this same time I ran across a gentlemen that went by the name Mo and he also got me on the right track, still to this day I have the page of instructions he gave me on bottom construction.
I am forever thankful for all the help I have received here on the Boat Buzz and felt it only proper that I first share my experience from beginning to end with the ones who made it all possible. So, without further ado, please find attached pictures from the beginning to………..I don’t think there is an end,,,is there?
Over the next few days I will be posting some pics from when I started to where I am now, and very soon, launch day, thanks again guys and gals and hope you enjoy.
1941 CC Model 101 Deluxe Runabout
Hull Number 57261 of 372 Built;
- Attachments
Last edited by tuobanur on Sat Jun 20, 2015 9:21 am, edited 3 times in total.
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
Re: The Building of Miss Dot
A few more of how crappy things were in the beginning.
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
Re: The Building of Miss Dot
In the beginning I didn't keep up with pictures like I should (damnit) so there is a little gap when I was building a new keel, new stringers, repairing the chines, replacing frames and building the transom.
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
Re: The Building of Miss Dot
These next shots show my lack of experience, installing the cover boards on the transom so early but I was practicing before I reached the bigger areas.
Last edited by tuobanur on Tue Jun 09, 2015 11:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
Re: The Building of Miss Dot
Installation of the strut and shaft, still 2006.
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
Re: The Building of Miss Dot
2006 was a good year, for me anyway, got what I thought a good bit done. Even though I got help when bedding the second layers in, for the most part I was a one man show.
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
Re: The Building of Miss Dot
In 2008 I got started on installing the second layer on the bottom and finished it up in 2009, this is when that extra help I spoke of came in handy.
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Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
Re: The Building of Miss Dot
In 2009 I also installed the new battens.
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
Re: The Building of Miss Dot
After a short delay, in 2012 I finally got started on covering the sides.
- Attachments
Last edited by tuobanur on Wed Jun 10, 2015 9:00 am, edited 2 times in total.
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
Re: The Building of Miss Dot
Bedding in the sides.
- Attachments
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
Re: The Building of Miss Dot
2012 was a good year for work completed, besides getting the sides on I also completed the bungs and fairing of the sides, finished fairing the bottom, painted the bottom and flipped the boat upright after twelve years up side down. I also got started on the top side.
- Attachments
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
Re: The Building of Miss Dot
Best post ever on the Buzz. I can't wait for more pics. Keep em coming Terry. I love stories like this.
1953 CC Riviera 18-R-927
Re: The Building of Miss Dot
A few more pics from 2012 and tomorrow I will move on to 2013.
- Attachments
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
Re: The Building of Miss Dot
GREAT STORY! BEAUTIFUL WORKMANSHIP! Looking forward to the next episode.
- quitchabitchin
- Posts: 568
- Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2008 9:48 pm
- Location: Oxford, OH
- Contact:
Re: The Building of Miss Dot
Great documentation. I wish I had taken more photographs of my project.
FLASH1969 Chris Craft Cavalier Ski-230 HP 327Q
CCABC Board of Directors Member
CCABC Board of Directors Member
Re: The Building of Miss Dot
Before I jump ahead there was one other item that I want to share from 2012, my steering wheel. I had always wanted to try my hand at building a steering wheel, ever since I removed a simulated wood wheel from a 1965 Corvette I once owned many years ago. Since at the time I couldn't find a wheel for my boat I decided to build one, using the original metal basket as my template and some pictures I had taken before all of the Bakelite had fallen off. I used some ash that was left over from another project and made the new basket, and hub, out of stainless steel.
Below is a link to where I posted back in 2012 on it's construction.
http://www.chris-craft.org/discussion/v ... 445#p39750
Below is a link to where I posted back in 2012 on it's construction.
http://www.chris-craft.org/discussion/v ... 445#p39750
- Attachments
Last edited by tuobanur on Sat Jun 13, 2015 7:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
Re: The Building of Miss Dot
One more thing I should mention before I go any further, I have always been a hot rodder (modify/personalize), all the way back to the days of building model cars I always had to change something and it has been no different while building my boat, so if you are offended by this you might want to, turn away.
Changes that I have made, in my opinion, are subtle and stick with what could have very easily been done back in the forties if you were a "hotrodder". For example, the engine that was in my boat when I purchased it (GM model 70) was not the original but it was a step better than what came in it, more horse power and main bearings, to name a few, so rather than find an original engine I decided to hot rod it (around 85 HP now) and keep it in the boat.
If you look closely you will notice a slight change I made when building the steering wheel and there are a few more you may notice along the way, it's what keeps me interested and I hope it is what will keep generations to come interested.
And one more thing, you may notice from time to time that I suffer from the Matt Smith syndrome when it comes to grammar.
Changes that I have made, in my opinion, are subtle and stick with what could have very easily been done back in the forties if you were a "hotrodder". For example, the engine that was in my boat when I purchased it (GM model 70) was not the original but it was a step better than what came in it, more horse power and main bearings, to name a few, so rather than find an original engine I decided to hot rod it (around 85 HP now) and keep it in the boat.
If you look closely you will notice a slight change I made when building the steering wheel and there are a few more you may notice along the way, it's what keeps me interested and I hope it is what will keep generations to come interested.
And one more thing, you may notice from time to time that I suffer from the Matt Smith syndrome when it comes to grammar.
Last edited by tuobanur on Wed Jun 10, 2015 10:12 am, edited 1 time in total.
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
Re: The Building of Miss Dot
2013 and the top side framing continues, and you may notice one of those changes I mentioned.
- Attachments
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
Re: The Building of Miss Dot
Awesome documentation. I am in about the same place you where 12 yrs ago. New to the hobby and purchased an OK boat that I am trying to get in the water this summer yet. But the bug took me over big time and I purchased a 1940 pattern boat with 90% hardware and a motor that is locked up . Currently stripping the 1940 and working on the other. Your phots inspire me and I realize that this could take many years to finish. Thanks for sharing.
Re: The Building of Miss Dot
With the top framing complete moving on to the fun stuff, top decking.
BTW, all of the wood on the sides came from boards from the same tree and are book matched, all the wood on the top came out of one slab board and are book matched (and they are individual boards 5-1/4" wide each), and the cover board all came from the same board, and you guessed it, are book matched.
FYI, Every piece of wood on this boat received, at least, two coats of sealer.
BTW, all of the wood on the sides came from boards from the same tree and are book matched, all the wood on the top came out of one slab board and are book matched (and they are individual boards 5-1/4" wide each), and the cover board all came from the same board, and you guessed it, are book matched.
FYI, Every piece of wood on this boat received, at least, two coats of sealer.
- Attachments
Last edited by tuobanur on Wed Jun 10, 2015 4:10 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
Re: The Building of Miss Dot
These next shots will give some of you who are not familiar with the process an idea of how the boards that we use come to be. They are of the wood that was used for the sides and the cover boards, this was done at my buddies shop in Tennessee (he has a nice big band saw for re-sawing. These are just rough cut to shape, final cuts were made in my shop next to the boat and then the edges were hand planed for final fit (at least that's how I did it). Believe it or not, even though it looks like I had a lot of waste, I ended up using just about every piece.
FYI, all the wood that I used, with the exception of the boards on the bottom, came from large boards that were re-sawed and thickness planed.
FYI, all the wood that I used, with the exception of the boards on the bottom, came from large boards that were re-sawed and thickness planed.
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
Re: The Building of Miss Dot
Thanks guys, appreciate the feedback.
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
Re: The Building of Miss Dot
Another little piece of info I thought some of you might be interested in, the making of the hidden hinges. Again, I didn't take as many pics as I wish I had but this should give you the gist.
- Attachments
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
Re: The Building of Miss Dot
Dash work.
BTW, my buddy John wanted to contribute, and he being a master wood worker who was I to say no, so he took the task of restoring my dash.
BTW, my buddy John wanted to contribute, and he being a master wood worker who was I to say no, so he took the task of restoring my dash.
- Attachments
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
Re: The Building of Miss Dot
The engine is a 1947 Gray Marine model 70 and needed considerable work but it purrs like a kitten now.
- Attachments
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
Re: The Building of Miss Dot
Late 2013 I started prepping the boat for marking the water line, put on two coats of sealer, pre-installed all the hardware, engine, fuel tank (with enough water in it to simulate a half a tank of fuel), battery, steering, and enough ballast to simulate the weight of the seats and misc.. Early 2014, loaded it on my, not quite finished, trailer and headed over to my friends at Scout boats who were kind enough to let me use there pool to take it's first dunk, so as to mark the water line, a very exciting day.
- Attachments
Last edited by tuobanur on Fri Jun 12, 2015 8:19 am, edited 1 time in total.
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
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- Posts: 2092
- Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2005 10:41 pm
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Re: The Building of Miss Dot
u n b e l I e v a b l e !!!! great post...one of the best ever..
John in Va.
John in Va.
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)
19?? custom Argentine Runabout 16'
1954 Whirlwind deluxe dual ckpt 16'
1921 Old Town Charles River 17' (founding Captain, James River Batteau Festival)
Re: The Building of Miss Dot
Thanks John, it is a pleasure to share, I owe a lot to this site.
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
Re: The Building of Miss Dot
Ceiling boards install.
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"
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