1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Guys, I have been busy sealing all the new parts...Keel, chines, and bottom frames. The project is moving forward with little issue. It is, however, a lot of painstaking work. I'm taking my time fitting frames, sealing and such. I know it will pay off. This weekend I plan on bolting everything together and getting a coat of bilge paint on those surfaces below the waterline... pics to follow.STAY TUNED!!!

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Guys, made some progress today. I got the keel, bottom frames and chines bolted in place today. I started doing some shaping as well...

 

[Willyclay]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Great work! Very interested in how you will put the final shape on the new keel. Good luck!

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

The keel is fairly flat up to about amidships. It then slopes slightly outward. as it reaches the stem it gets tapered to a soft radius. I wont do anything as far as shaping the keel until all the bottom planking is on. Power planer is probably the tool of choice to get it close, then sanding block for the final shaping. There is also rabits that run the entire length on both sides. That narrows the keel by an inch and a half. Pretty fun project so far... STAY TUNED!!!

notice the orginal keel in the pic...pretty much flat

 

[Willyclay]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Thanks for that info!

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Guys, I had an issue with one of the chines... When I went to clamp the second chine in place, it cracked at the #3 frame. I have read about steam bending and need to go further with my prep work on those pieces. I built a soak tank and will set new pieces in that for a week before steam bending. I have done woodwork all my life, but have no experience bending wood... I found answers on Don Danenbergs forum. It's been a little frustrating, but I will get it right!
Bob

 

[Willyclay]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Bob, I am in total awe of what you doing with that great old boat! I really suck at woodworking and am trying to learn from your thread. Hang in there, no doubt in my mind that your end results will be worth the journey.

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Willy, I appreciate your kind words... I'm moving forward confidently. I have found many answers on Don Danenbergs boat building forum. He's a great guy, and has a following there that is helpful as well. The steam deal seemed daunting, but really with Don and others teaching me the process, I know I'm doing it correct now. I will take pics of the soak tank I made, which will become the steam box. STAY TUNED!!!
Bob

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

It's too bad you guys live so far away... I could use some help. As I look at my project boat, I find myself unhappy with some of my work. Partly because of materials, partly because of just not gettin it right. Today I cut two new upper chines. The ones that I originally made were a little on the thin side, and the stick wasn't long enough so I had to glue in a joint. After that snapping chine the other day, I found 18' 8/4 african mahogany. I had to buy an 8" wide board so I re-made all four pieces. I will feel better knowing I went back and did it right. I made a soak tank out of scrap ply lined with painters plastic. All four pieces fit well, this will become my steam box. I had 3" foam insulation that I re-sawed to 1"x4" rips. They will line the box and keep that steam in the box.
STAY TUNED!!
Bob

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Guys, getting close to bending those chines. I tried a home steamer, but it didn't have enough poop. I built a steam generator using a hot water heater element. Got to get a pro to wire it up for me so I don't kill myself...Pics to follow. Stay Tuned!!

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Guys, I'm pretty excited!! I got my steam generator up and running... Tomorrow I'm going to steam my chine stringers and clamp them in place. I need to move forward with this project, sitting idle too long!! Stay Tuned!!
Bob

 

[Willyclay]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Attaboy!

 

[Ned L]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Nice work! (I can relate) As you have read, steam bending is actually pretty easy & fun when you are set up properly.

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Ned, You are right! I have bent two pieces and have them clamped in place. The next two need to cook longer though. Pretty cool process, my steamer works well. I don't have a sight tube so gotta be careful, but it's workin...
Bob

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Guys, I had a productive vacation day today... I got that steamer goin big time. I was able to get all four chine pieces clamped in place. With the help of some good friends I made it happen. cooked the smaller pieces for about an hour and they went right on. Cooked the larger pieces for two hours and got them on. It looks like a boat again... I'm gonna leave them on until next week, when I'll remove them, seal them and finally screw them in place. I took a bit of a detour with some issues, but I'm rollin again...
Bob

 

[Willyclay]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Don't you just love it when a plan produces the desired results!

 

[Ned L]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Yea, it's kind of fun to do this to a piece of white oak.

 

[Big Island Lifer]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

I just subscribed to this thread. THnaks for sharing your work! You will have a beautiful craft when you are finished and you can call it your own!

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Yea, it's kind of fun to do this to a piece of white oak.

Whoa!!! that's amazing stuff...
It's been a learning journey for sure! I've done woodwork for 30 years and never have done steam bending. Pretty cool process.
Stay Tuned!! Bob

 

[sqbtr]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Got any details on your steamer?

Very cool boat!!!!!!!!