1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

[60Clipper]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Bob, congrats on a job well done. That bottom looks awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep up the good work.

Bob

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Great looking plank job! Fantastic workmanship!

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Thank you guys for your interest...makes it fun. I think I have made a decision on bottom color. I'm going with interlux 33 red. most reds are pale and kinda faded looking. the 33 colors are brighter, the red looks awesome. I'm going with red mahogany stain with a matte finish varnish. bright red interior as well. I think it will look factory with a little juice! STAY TUNED!!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

I'm going with red mahogany stain with a matte finish varnish.

Why the matte finish? I'm not familiar with a matte spar varnish, but doesn't it have flattening agents in it? Flattening agents in satin polyurethane tend to make it a softer finish then the same maker's gloss poly.

Or at least that's the way it 'was' a few yrs ago when I did wood flooring install, sand & finish work. Poly products have changed some, & I'm not sure the flattening carries over to spar varnish. I was just wondering. Spar varnish gets used quite a bit in the tin threads @ these parts.

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

At work we are re-finishing an outdoor cross for a church and used the matte finish varnish made by Epifanes and I really like the finish. I think it will make the boat user friendly as I'm not building a show piece. I plan on using the boat on the rivers of the california delta and don't want to worry about scratching a high shine finish. I could change my mind by the time I varnish, but right now thats the way I'm leaning.
Bob

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Those exact reasons I always tried to go semi-gloss, less flattening agents so harder then matte, minimizes the scratches better then gloss.

I was hoping maybe spars had improved since the early 90's. Epifanes is certainly good stuff, & widely used in marine applications. I've just never noticed any matte.

If the matte is softer then the gloss, it could always be the topcoat/last coats of what will be many coats I'm sure. I try to take great care & still seem to bang up my plywood boat just getting it transported to & from the lake, and I used only gloss Spar, multiple coats. Of course, my ply is softer then your planks, and I'm not trailering it.

The red hull, a touch of black & a whole bunch of gorgeous wood showing is my favorite color scheme on a wooden boat.

1 day I may try a wooden runabout, Love 'em! You've done the ChrisCraft proud so far, keep up the great work.

BTW: what's the status of the 283? Or maybe a bit of a repower?

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

The 283 turns over by hand...it will need rebuilding. I'll pump it up a little with a cam and such. Everything inside the boat needs to be re-done. the interior, wiring, steering parts are missing. this boat was taken apart many years before I got it. I would call it a top to bottom restore! I appreciate your input and have asked Don Danenberg about the matte finish on his site. We'll see what he has to say...Bob

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Well, the pro says to use the glossy on the hull because of the UV protection it provides. He said the "semi gloss" was only used it tight quarters in cruisers because of glare...interesting!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Very interesting, I hope I helped instead of derailed:redface:

The woodwork will LOOK FABULOUS under gloss anyway, IMHO. As I said before, ya done great so far, so I'm sure you'll knock the finish work & the final finish coats out of the park.

 

[Ned L]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

For a regular 'user boat' I could almost seee agreeing with a bit of a semi gloss, but I think you might be disappointed with a real matte. And as has been pointed out you won't get the UV protection with a matte. The semi will also not show every little imperfection as much as a thrue gloss.
Not knowing how much varnish work you are used to, an old trick is to put the varnish in the refridgerator before using it, and keep it cold during use.
Looking beautiful!

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Guys, I will go with gloss varnish...Ned, why put the varnish in a refer prior to use?
Bob

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Guys, made a bit of progress...I have all the planks now glued and screwed in place. I also sanded the starboard topsides today.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Still all looks great! Hope he gets back w/ an answer @ the refrigerated varnish soon.

 

[Brenn]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

i just read through your thread.what a great project you have.i will be looking forward to more updates

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Thank you guys...I'm making headway!

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Not much to report at the moment guys...I did make 300 mahogany screw plugs! I have about 400 screws to fill. some with plugs and some with wood putty. I'm working out the scenerio regarding the thru hole for the drive shaft. Once that and the remaining sanding have been completed, I can coat with barrier coat...4 coats. Stay Tuned!!

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

moving forward guys...First of 4 coats of primer. I'm using Interlux 2000e barrier coat. I'm going with interlux 33 red for bottom paint...you know, looks like it might just float! to think that this boat sat for so many years untouched...
Bob

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

It's almost a crime to cover up all that beautiful wood (& woodworking) with paint....

Looks like the primer laid down really well.

Looks great!

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

keep in mind that you use lumber on the bottom that is not as pretty as the topsides. I bought a bunch of pattern cut 5/4 african mahogany and had it re-sawn. It was not as attractive as the straight grain lumber used on the portions that get varnished. It was cheaper too though! I was happy with jointery before, but it really looks tight being primed...Thanks for your interest! Bob

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

I know, and they always look great w/ the red hull painted. But it doesn't matter what wood you used, this:

looks fabulous! Its almost more the look of the boards themselves, 1 to another, then it is the grain/look of each board.

Excellent joinery work! These guys agree