I have made many of the 2nd seats for 22-Us. I have the patterns for the wood and have the pipes for the seat back and pipes for the sockets that go into the cast sockets in the floor. I also have the cast sockets. The 20 is a bit different from the 22. It has a different angle of the seat back. It ...

I have done this many times on 6 big utilities. Mine included. You need to strip it at 8 inches in the bow. Then about 10 inches to the windshield. After that sheet it. 45 degrees to the chine for the strips. I have some special clamps to clamp the outer planks to the boat that will allow the routin...

The 1927 Cadet I restored "Chief Waramaug" came with its original Scripps Jr. Gold Cup engine at 127 Hp. We had it rebuilt by George Shinn. It runs perfect. There is a very nice article about it in the latest Classic Boating issue # 183 written by the owner I restored it for. The boat is now owned b...

I am working on bricks. It seems like the person that owns the plant is a LLC. When he bought the plant for $10.00 (yes $10.00) last year his LLC had been expired. So he is stuck with a 350,000 lien from DEQ for ground water pollution and then the cost of the clean up. Articles in the paper have the...

The article is in Classic Boating in the Sept-Oct 1996 issue # 73. This is what I have done in BLU-BY-U. You have to some mod's but they are not hard. Instead of tapping the front of the heads I tapped the CC intake manifold where the water comes out of the block. I can send pic's if you want. I am ...

I went back there today and the fire trucks where still there putting out hot spots. I talked to the fire marshal and he says that there have been some homeless people in the plant over the years and maybe a warming fire got out of control. The power-steam plant is still intact and the wood drying k...

Hi all: Some sorry news here from Cadillac, MI. The plant that built most of the Chris Craft boats smaller than 24’ after the war burnt to the ground yesterday. It is a total loss. I have been in the building a couple of times over the years and do have some pictures. It had a clear span area on the...

I have a 283/350 flywheel forward in my boat Blue-BY-U that most of you have seen or heard about. I started with a 1974 350 truck engine std bore 2 bolt. I had it bored 20. Had the oil pan relieved for rod clearance, had the crank drilled for oil to the manual trans (you have to do that). We drilled...

Always put a fuse in the generator circut. When the old cut out fails or the new electronic one fails it goes to ground. This means the 75 Amp generator is pumping current into old wires to the dash that can not handle it. Wires will melt and start a fire. I always put a Blue Seas Maki Fuse 40 Amp r...

I was there-wet down to my underware. Worked the show- started docking boats at 6;15 and left at 5:00- still raining. Had to run my boat to Cedarville to pull it out-about 5 miles in the rain. It was hard to see the markers. It was a good show. Now I have to get the boat dryed out and put away. Seat...

The WWC of ACBS toured John's boathouse a few years ago. I was impressed. We have been invited to have a cocktail reception there during the pre-event cruise before the ACBS International meeting and boat show at Bay Harbor next fall. If you want to see this collection sign up now.
Russ Arrand

Another thing to think about is the gulf stream. Point it more south going from FL. I did this many years ago and only had Loran. GPS is much better now.
Russ Arrand

Its funny this has come up again. Don Danenberg and I are compiling a list of names of the people that signed the hull cards in order to identify the plants. I will post it here when complete.
Russ Arrand

When I lived in Fl I did the trip many times. Mostly on a 80 foot private yacht (wood) but somtimes in a 30 foot trawler (wood). And once in a 25 foot Mako (plastic). Got to pick your weather with the small boats. Also took the 80 footer to South America twice. Three days across the Carribean. Ft La...

OK
I am going to offer this again. I am having five sets of the hardware made. If you want a 2nd seat in a 22-U please contact me.
Russ Arrand

[email protected]

I made several of these seats for customers over the years. I have patterns for anyone that wants to make this seat, and would be happy to pass them on. I had the floor fittings cast before, but now they are sold out. I had the pipes made for the seats and they are also sold out. I am thinking about...

Thanks Kerry for the comments on my boat. We were up for the entire week prior to the show. I usually burn about 100 gals of gas but this year was down to only 65 because of the weather. Some really good boating in the Islands.
Russ Arrand

Well Gee Wizz Mark:

You have not told about the ride I gave you from Hessel to Cedarville. Let the folks know about all the boats you saw in the boat houses and the pictures you took. Nice ride it was.
Russ Arrand

I will be in TC and then to Hessel for the week.
Russ Arrand

Hi: Maybe walking on thin ice here. Don has his opinions and sometimes is stuck on the way he has done it. He is a good friend of mine and we often discuss different ways of doing things. His information is based on many years of experience. I myself have over 25 years working on wooden boats. A cou...

Try Bud Bracket

Just read the great article by Don Danenberg about the Hull Stamps. I also have noticed a lot of differences in the stamps and the way they are stamped. I am glad he got this cleared up. I almost ordered a set from the CCABC but did not. Now I see that they are no longer available. What is going on?...

Jim Staib

A customer of mine filed a claim with Haggerty after being rearended on I-75. The boat came here and we took the cover off only to find little damage to the transom. And a bit of damage to the trailer. Well as all of you know a little damage usually means a strip stain and refinish to make it as it ...

Mark: I guess we need to get me, Don A, Brian R, Don D, you, and all of our buds in your time machine so you can prove to us that the finish is original on this 17' dash. Get real--how can you say this is original? You are getting it from at least two previous owners. All of your experience is from ...

Please do not use epoxy: I call this restacking the topsides. All planks are removed-gaps tightened, and put back with any new planks. Use 5200 and make up the gaps at the chine or under the rub rail with a small piece of wood. If the gaps are small enough you can even use the router method to refit...

The Cobra and Racing runabouts are the boats you want to restore for a customer--they're sexy and get the awards. My business has been built on the utilities. I have owned many runabouts and have found that a large utility is the best boat to use. Many of my customers have been in my 22-U and have s...

Wow: I can't believe all of the Boerma fan club has not responded to my post. I do have more information about this guy. The interview with Forrie Kanipe that Don and I did is being transferd to a DVD. It is 3 hours long and also includes some stuff from his son Rick that worked there for about 1-2 ...

Forrest G Boerma worked at the Cadillac Plant. The earliest hull card with his name that I have seen is dated 5-23-41. I think Tony Dugan took over for him in about 1950. There are 9 Boermas listed in the Cadillac white pages now. Just a little foot note. The 1941 hull card with his sig. is for a 19...

Come on guys:

I have the interview arranged for Sunday Sept 7th at 10:00 AM. I need more questions. This will be video taped. Forrie is really excited about this. Please, Please get some more questions here. Don and I have alot but we need more.

Russ Arrand