1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Got any details on your steamer?

Very cool boat!!!!!!!!

Thanks,
The steamer is pretty basic... It's one I got from Don Danenbergs book, "wooden runabout restoration guide" If you google search it, you should find the info.
It starts with a 2" dia. steel pipe. With a series of reducer bushings, a hot water heater element, and a 220 switch. I didn't make the sight tube, and paid the price. You have to make sure the element is submerged at all times. If not they fry in short order. I went through 2 elements during my cooking process. I will need the steamer again when I do the bottom planking, so I will upgrade the steamer with a sight tube. Very cool process...
Thanks for your interest!! Bob

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Man, what a nightmare... After pulling the chines off to seal lastnight, I noticed that both were cracked! round 4... gotta go buy another 17' chuck of mahogany and do it again. felt like I got shot in the chest! what a pain...

 

[Willyclay]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Bummer! Are the Wooden Boat forum guys commenting on this problem? Hang in there, I know you can whip it.

 

[archbuilder]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Wow what a cool project, looking forward to following this one!

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Guys, I have been on Danenbergs site... He said to take pics and post them. I'll do that today and see what I'm doing wrong. I think the sticks need more steam. Just sucks having to buy another 100. chunk of mahogany! I got one yesterday so I'll make a new soak tank this weekend and start soaking... Thanks for your interest, Bob

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Guys, The chines have been soaking for nearly three weeks. I need to update my steam generator with a sight glass and then I'll give another go... I took the original chines, which are curved nicely as they reach the stem and made a table top jig. I'm going to pre-bend the first 6 feet, then re-heat and clamp to the hull. I'm thinking that chris craft may have done it this way...Stay tuned!! Bob

 

[Pmccraney]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Great thread so far. Dream of mine to do a chris craft woody as well. I actually did a good bit of research and realized my skills and budget both needed to increase before I took on a woody as a first project. So, I opted for a fiberglass chris craft lancer. Like others, look forward to following the thread and living vicariously through your project. Good luck! You are rebuilding something special...

 

[archbuilder]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Looking forward to seeing how it works for you Bob!

 

[ingalp01]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

I'm sorry to hear about the problems, but it sounds like you are pushing through the rough spots and seeking the answers where you can find them. ALL restorations have set-backs, just look through the forums, but YOU can do it. Just don't let the set-backs get you down. Let's face it, none or few of us were experts when we started our restorations, but with practice comes knowledge, and when you are done, you'll know your boat from stem to stern and it will be all YOURS... Free and clear and a beautiful Chris Craft woody! I'm jealous... I definitely want to do a woody some day. Keep up the good work and the pursuit of knowledge.

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Guys, thanks for all the support and inspiration... I have not given up... I will succeed.

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Guys, I steam bent those chines today with varied results. The first one bent around my jig smoothly. the second bent smoothly, but did show signs of fracture. They are between the stem and first frame station. I'm going to fit and glue strips of 3/16" thick mahogany. 6 strips will make a 1-1/2" sister steamed to fit the curve. later they will be glued together with 5200. It will strengthen that area quite a bit.
Bob

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Guys, I made some progress today on my restore today. I got both lower chines glued and bolted in place. I also did some laminations on the front sections of the chines. I cut 1/4" strips and laminated 3 of them to the inside edges with 5200 between each layer. that should strengthen that area quite a bit. After a couple coats of bilge paint, I'll be able to start on the ply inner bottom. Stay tuned!! Bob

 

[Willyclay]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Great news, Bob!

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Guys, I now have both the chines and chine battens installed. I started shaping today... It's looking good. I will post pics when I remember the camera. Bob

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Guys, I made some progress today. I began shaping the starboard side chine and worked on the transom. I made new vertical transom supports and planks. I fit everything, then pulled it off to seal. It's going good, I'm having fun with the woodwork... Stay Tuned!! Bob

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Guys I got the transom bolted together and have routed the chine rabits...

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Guys, with all the woodwork on the framework done, I moved on to bilge painting the hard to get spots, sealed the chines, and keel. I fastened the new transom strakes in place, they are glued in place with 5200 and screwed with bronze screws. I made my own bungs from drop. Lookin tight...

 

[Willyclay]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

I made my own bungs from drop.

??? I told you I am ignorant when it comes to woodworking. Also, how did you cut the rabbit(?) in the new keel so it would match the angle of the hull/bottom at each frame? I can only imagine the great sense of pride you have in seeing what you have done so far!

 

[rhtmarine]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Bungs are plugs made from scrap wood...LOL bungs made from drop... sounds like a cowpie. When I routed the keel, I screwed 3/4" ply to each frame right up against it. I then screwed a 1" wide strip 2-1/2" from the edge of the keel. when you ride the router along this path, it routes a 3/4" inch rabit in the part. The track of ply follows the contours of the bottom, thus producing a rabit that follows the same contour. It was accually easier than I thought it would be. I had to do some planing and sanding to fair the rabit to meet every frame station. It took about 3-4 hours start to finish.
I do have a sense of accomplishment to this point. The chines were a total pain in the butt. Everything else has been relatively easy for me. I'm getting closer! hope to flip her by the end of the year, we'll see... Thanks for your interest, Bob

 

[erwinner]

Re: 1960 Chris Craft sportsman restoration project

Amazing work and that is going to be one beautiful boat when you're done with it!
Chris Craft is just the most legendary boat maker out there (I know there are so many other, but something about the name...) and have had the most beautiful boats to me, regardless of what they're made out of.
But wooden boats are the most beautiful of them all! (all just my opinion, of course)