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New to the hobby!

Are you in need of information regarding "the way it was?" Or are you are a walking "who's-who" of Chris-Craft history? Share what you don't know—or do know here.

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Manofmail
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New to the hobby!

Post by Manofmail » Mon Mar 16, 2015 11:51 am

Are there any restoration buisness in the state of Virginia? I have always wanted a Chris Craft and found what I was told a 1951 18ft runabout.Bought it and now would like to restore. Going to the Museum in Newport News as soon as I can but is the hull number the plate under the engine cover? What about the hull card? Sorry a little over my head.
Bryan

boat_art
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Re: New to the hobby!

Post by boat_art » Mon Mar 16, 2015 12:15 pm

Welcome! They can tell you everything you need to know at the museum. Yes, the number is on the plate and they can provide a hull card for you at the museum.
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

Manofmail
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Re: New to the hobby!

Post by Manofmail » Mon Mar 16, 2015 12:40 pm

Thanks! I know I have alot to learn, but what beautiful boats!
Bryan

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tkhersom
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Re: New to the hobby!

Post by tkhersom » Mon Mar 16, 2015 5:00 pm

Welcome aboard!

Hang on you are on for the ride of your life, and if you start reading the Buzz you will learn more over the next few months and years than you ever thought possible. Do not be afraid to ask ANYTHING!

While your at it check out http://www.woodyboater.com/ :D

And heck why not show up in Tavares Florida next week for the Sunnyland Festival. http://www.acbs-sunnyland.org/
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

boat_art
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Re: New to the hobby!

Post by boat_art » Mon Mar 16, 2015 8:25 pm

I dont know if I would call it a hobby....more like an obsession. You dont really own a wood boat, you 'assume the responsibility' until someone else takes over.
Remember tho.... God doesnt count the days messing about in wood boats.
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

joanroy
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Re: New to the hobby!

Post by joanroy » Tue Mar 17, 2015 4:11 am

Post some pictures of your new ride. Lots of experienced eyes looking at The Buzz with similar boats to give advice and keep you out of trouble. Welcome to the Zen of the Woody Chris Craft.

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tuobanur
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Re: New to the hobby!

Post by tuobanur » Tue Mar 17, 2015 9:13 am

When I started out I knew nothing about building a boat, got most of the info I needed from the folks right here, a great bunch.
It has been an amazing ride. :)

My ride went
Attachments
CC before 01.jpg
from this
finishing 45.JPG
to this
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"

boat_art
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Re: New to the hobby!

Post by boat_art » Tue Mar 17, 2015 3:06 pm

Thats 2 different boats right Terry? (wow...awsome work!)
Tom
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

jfrprops
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Re: New to the hobby!

Post by jfrprops » Tue Mar 17, 2015 9:41 pm

Wow! very nice job.....way above my skill level....!!!

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)

Tightline5
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Re: New to the hobby!

Post by Tightline5 » Wed Mar 18, 2015 7:13 am

You are in the RDU chapter area. Lot of experience in that club. They can teach you alot, and point you in the right direction. We are a sister chapter at Smith Mountain Lake, in Virginia.
Phil Jones

1948 US Plywood Executive Runabout Hull #1 "WeldWood"
1954 Racing Runabout R-496
1957 Deluxe Runabout D-17-2062
"MISBEHAVIN"

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tuobanur
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Re: New to the hobby!

Post by tuobanur » Wed Mar 18, 2015 8:23 am

boat_art wrote:Thats 2 different boats right Terry? (wow...awsome work!)
Tom
Thanks, same boat but I probably only ended up using about 5% of the old, it was more of a template with a few pieces of hardware and a 1947 GM engine which is back in the boat.
Last edited by tuobanur on Wed Mar 18, 2015 8:26 am, edited 1 time in total.
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"

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tuobanur
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Re: New to the hobby!

Post by tuobanur » Wed Mar 18, 2015 8:23 am

jfrprops wrote:Wow! very nice job.....way above my skill level....!!!

John in Va.
Thanks John.
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"

joanroy
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Re: New to the hobby!

Post by joanroy » Wed Mar 18, 2015 6:05 pm

Terry, That is truly an amazing transformation. One of the most extreme before and afters I've ever seem. You deserve a lot of credit for sticking with it and seeing it through. Great Save!

Manofmail
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Re: New to the hobby!

Post by Manofmail » Wed Mar 18, 2015 8:47 pm

Will put some more pics up soon. I know its not up to specs and really want to get to Newport News to find out some more information about her. Supposed to be a 51 Runabout 18ft. The trailor is going to be replaced pronto,but it was made around the wooden crate she was picked up on when gotten off the train box car...so the story goes! Hasn't been in the water in 28 years. It was a project of the second owner. Bottom has been glassed and no interior. Does have a rebuilt 327 in it that has never been turned over [bore scope says its still good] was wondering if the running gear can even handle it? But first want to sand, restain and varnish. Lots of work but I think the potential is there. How heavy are these boats anyway?
Attachments
image.jpg
Bryan

Manofmail
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Re: New to the hobby!

Post by Manofmail » Wed Mar 18, 2015 8:53 pm

Terry, thats a amazing transformation by the way!
Bryan

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tkhersom
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Re: New to the hobby!

Post by tkhersom » Thu Mar 19, 2015 5:33 am

Manofmail wrote:............................................. But first want to sand, restain and varnish.....

IMHO I like to get the mechanical and structural work done first.

Depending on what the story is under the fiber glassed bottom, it looks like this boat may be sound. If it is structurally safe it could be used before the bright work is restored. I have seen many cars get a beautiful body make over only to be mucked up doing the mechanical work afterwards.

Besides the sanding, staining, and varnishing is the fun part. :D

Then again I have not done a project that deep, so I may not be a very good source.

Amazing transformation Terry! She is a BEAUTY!
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

boat_art
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Re: New to the hobby!

Post by boat_art » Thu Mar 19, 2015 6:35 am

Definitely get rid of the cross-bunks! I also recommend a 2 axel trailer. Tkhersom got it right about mechanicals first. A running boat with unfinished varnish will turn heads, beautiful varnish wont if you cant move the boat.
I also suggest you get rid of the fiberglass and do the bottom right, as part of a long range plan.
Get it running right first, have some fun with it, then take on the finish.
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

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WoodenRookie
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Re: New to the hobby!

Post by WoodenRookie » Thu Mar 19, 2015 8:56 am

Dry weight I'd guess the weight at 2400-2500 lbs without the interior and adding the 327 & fiberglass. Find a good marine surveyor and have it gone through. Once you know where the hidden problems lie you'll know where to start. If no major problems are found you maybe able to go for a boat ride before you tear it down. Really depends on if you are doing the work yourself or hiring it out. The bottom integrity would be my 1st priority, fiberglass is not ideal and most will recommend removing asap though there are plenty of Tahoe boats out there with fiberglass bottoms. My 2 cents
1959 18' Continental "Knot Yet"
2013 Cobalt 200WSS
1977 Lakescraft Pontoon

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tuobanur
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Re: New to the hobby!

Post by tuobanur » Thu Mar 19, 2015 9:06 am

Thanks for the comp's guys, and Bryan as you can see, you have a hell of a head start with your project so go for it, you want be disappointed..
Last edited by tuobanur on Fri Mar 20, 2015 9:09 am, edited 1 time in total.
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"

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Al Benton
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Re: New to the hobby!

Post by Al Benton » Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:38 pm

Bryan,

You can see a nice overhead photo of your 18' Riviera in our Archive. It's in the 1951 Chris-Craft Fleet Brochure on page 4.
Go to our Home page and click on Archive under Membership Benefits. Then skip the Search feature and click on Browse the Entire Archive. On the next page click on Marketing Literature. Scroll down to 1951 and click on Chris-Craft Fleet Brochure and then on page 4. The photo shows the blonde king plank and cockpit surround. Yours must have had the KBL engine with triple downdraft curbs when she was shipped. That's what the chrome hump on the hatch was for. She weighed about 2,265 pounds when new.

There are some horror stories about fiberglassing over original bottom planks here in Boat Buzz. Best to see what you have before you panic though. In as few words as possible, fiberglass on planks can crack and leak moisture into the planks. The moisture migrates and stays trapped, thus causing a greater chance of rot to form.

Your '51, 18' Riviera appears to be in good shape, hope her bottom wood proves to be good.
Al
Member - Executive Team

Manofmail
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Re: New to the hobby!

Post by Manofmail » Tue Mar 24, 2015 12:20 pm

Will get her running first, sounds like the smart thing to do. Thanks for all the information and thoughts. Will have the bottom checked out for rot and any cracks. Would love to get the topside fixed before tackling the bottom. I can see all the cracks on the front deck and will be doing the work myself.
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Bryan

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Kerry Price
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Re: New to the hobby!

Post by Kerry Price » Sun May 31, 2015 8:05 pm

tuobanur,
I like that dolly set up under your restoration. Nice looking boat. Congratulations.
1946 20' Custom Runabout: R-20-092
1938 19' Sportsman: 19501
http://www.chris-craft.org/registry/vie ... oat_id=532

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tuobanur
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Re: New to the hobby!

Post by tuobanur » Mon Jun 01, 2015 12:39 pm

Kerry thanks, the dolly came from a local boat manufacture (Scout Boat) that a good friend is part owner of, this particular dolly is one they no longer use but worked perfect for my needs. When I retrieved it it had a tree growing through it but once I had it home it only required some clean-up and a little WD-40 and has worked out great, I made and added the piece under the front.
Terry
1941 Model 101 (16') Deluxe Runabout "Miss Dot"

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