1940 17ft barelback hull #71691, finish details ?

[dougb]

I aquired this boat as a project with it mostly unassembled and need help with many items but starting with some detail.I hope this is the right form for these questions.
1.What does the rear cockpit look like specifically the back of the front seat ? pictures ?
2.The "walnut " and "natuarl" stain ,best color match product or suppplier ?
3. The "blue "upholestry, pictures or supplier ?
4. The "orange" boot strip, product or supplier ?
5.I have a chrome bucket looking piece I beleive came off the engine hatch and I can not find any pictures of it .What is it ?
6. I have most parts ,but no engine or transmision. What is the chance of finding a KB motor? if slim what modern power do you recomend that will fit?

Apreciate any help provided

[Mark Christensen]

Doug,
Great questions. I have a ton of pictures, not promising they are what you need. They are from a 1942 17' Deluxe if your'e interested.

The chrome "bucket" is the intake cover for your KB. The KB (Later called the KBL) was an engine with 3 carbs. There was not enough room under the engine hatch, so CC installed these "buckets" to give the carbs more room to breathe. If you google Chris Craft KBL you'll see this right away.

The chance of finding a KB engine aren't great, but they are definitely around. The KB's were only produced before the war, so it makes them more rare. The KBL is the post war version, but most people can't tell the difference, as the differences are almost all internal.

I like to consider myself a purist, but from what I've heard of the KB's they are a pain to tune. The engines that get the best reviews are the KLC's. Single big carb setup that gets you power within 10hp of the original KB/KBL's.

BUT the KB/KBL's are beautiful engines. I love the triple carb setup and your boat is definitely much more valuable with a pre war KB setup. Talk to Jim Staib at finewoodboats.com . He's a great source for everything non-wood in your boat. And he is super knowledgeable too.

Post some pics soon! We love pics!

[Don Ayers]

I have some answers for you and can post in a bt.

[Brian Robinson]

Can you please post your hull card?

[Don Ayers]

Good call Brian;

Standard colors and interiors for 1940 were Pigskin and orange boot stripe and deck seams.

Not sure where you are getting the "Blue" interior so we need to check that.

Most accurate hull stain for that era is available from North West Classic Boats. It is not as orange as the post war Interlux stain.
www.northwestclassicboats.com


Dan Nelson of Nelson Boat works did a nice article on how to get a correct looking dark Walnut so I suggest you read that article in the Brass Bell. I can't remember what the year and issue number was. Perhpas someone can chime in on that as I don't have access to my mags right now.

i can post pics of the back seat and interior but not till Sunday. Sorry. Brian might if he has time. Brian, use Lonnie's original 17 Barrel pics I gave you.

Orange is called "International Orange". I use Dulux Marine and also Kirby Paint has one that is pretty much the same.

http://www.chris-craft.org/discussion/v ... eams+paint

An Original KB is a tall order but it is not impossible. I suggest you call Van Ness in NJ. He has built many correct KB's for those who were missing theirs.

If you're not Mark Christensen they are easy to tune.

[Brian Robinson]

Here is Doug's hull card.

As you can see, it was special ordered with Blue Russialoid. The data base on all the 17' barrels is incomplete, so its tough to say how many came this way, but this is the first I can recall. I'm sure it is an interesting look with the orange accents.
There were two blue Rusialoids (excluding the aquamarine/aqua blue). One in the late 20s/early 30s boats with a heavy grain, and one more mono-tone later on. Search high and low in your boat for an original scrap. Then we can find a source.

The seat back is all upholstered. It sits on a piece of varnished J moulding, on top of a 6" wide piece of varnished mahogany. I don't have a good pic of that handy.

The chrome "bucket" is actually a polished stainless carb cover, especially for the KB powered boats.

[Don Vogt]

Doug, here is a pic. of my '38 front seat back. At least gives you the idea of how they were finished. Very interesting with the blue upholstery and the kb engine. It really would be cool if you could get a kb replacement engine. Do post pictures and let us know as you proceed.

[dougb]

Hey you guys are a great help This impossible task seams doable now in the correct manor

[Don Vogt]

One of the great things about our club is that members are ready to share and help. There is always someone out there with an answer to help guide you thru your restoration. Absolutely you can do it!

[dougb]

Well guys making progress,boat is all faired almost ready for stain, which with your help recived from North West Clasic boats.Believe I have found a KB, wow $... is it worth it ?
As I mentioned I recieved this boat 1/2 dissasembled in a basket, so have very little referance.

1.Have no water line marked on the hull...so how can I establish this for finishing ?
2.Does any one have a technique for routing in the deck groves ?
3. No scraps of upholetry left .Source for the "Blue Russialoid"

[Don Vogt]

Great! Brian or don can help with the blue. Check the boat buzz hull registery to contact some other 1940 barrel lack owners if you need dimensions, etc.

As to motor, you have to decide if it is worth it. A period correct motor is better in my book, but then again many have used new power.

What part of the country are you located in?

[Don Vogt]

Great! Brian or don can help with the blue. Check the boat buzz hull registery to contact some other 1940 barrel lack owners if you need dimensions, etc.

As to motor, you have to decide if it is worth it. A period correct motor is better in my book, but then again many have used new power.

What part of the country are you located in?