OT for anyone interested in boat restoration

[Deleted]

My latest restoration project is progressing nicely.

I expect to put the fifth and final coat of red on tonight. Then, this weekend, I begin masking for the white pin-striping.

Once that is done, re-assembly of all the bolt on bits begins and finally if I am lucky, I will be able to use my new toy Memorial Day weekend, exactly a year after I purchased the project.

The Hull before I flipped it to do the deck:


This Stainless Steel Ski mirror was almost unable to display a reflection...


This is what she looked like the day I got her. Old, tired, a bit run down, with a rotten transom. But, basically sound.

[milligjg]

Nice job. What are you gonna put on the back? Are you gonna stay with the original engine?

[Deleted]

The engine that was on there, was an Evinrude 1959 Lark 40 hp. It supposedly still ran when it was parked, but in the 40 years that had passed since it had been idle, the inside of the outboard cowling had become a rat's nest, literally. I had that happen to a car I stored once, too. And believe me, there was no getting clear of the stench of rat urine and feces.

It actually stunk up the garage, sitting there covered.

So, I sold the Lark to a fella for $60 for parts and bought a 1969 Johnson 40 hp. It's not the black and white vintage Lark look, but it is still old enough to suit.

Apparently though, they pretty much just drink gas. Eventually, I hope to drop a fuel efficient 4 stroke Yamaha on her and enjoy the quiet. As a life long sailor, the quiet part is more important to me than staying true to the look.

Here's a shot of what she looked like when we did a sea trial after getting the Johnson running. My Neighbor Mike in the pic, came along hoping for some birdwatching up the Choptank. There was a slight issue, so he missed out on his birdwatching...



Notice that I've replaced the tacky 1960s vinyl wrapped fatty wheel with a genuine mahogany steering wheel. That wheel cost nearly as much as I paid for the entire boat, motor and trailer package when I bought her.

When I put her back together, she will have custom designed and built adirondack style benches. Bronze cleats, the original nav lights and anchor plate have been refurbished as has the windshield and all new electrics done to today's marine specs.

Plus, I've added a 750 gph bilge pump, just in case she's a wet ride... Something I'm very glad I had for our first sea trial as the setup was dousing the boat's interior with water at speed. She was taking on a lot of water.

I've kept track of my costs. My $300 boat, motor and trailer package has so far cost $3,750 not including about 1,000 hours of labor. At my contractor labor rate, that's a pretty pricey old boat... But well worth the effort for just working on boats saves me hundreds of thousands in therapy is my guess...

[Deleted]

It's late, but I had to put this up.

This is after Seven Coats of enamel, I finally pulled the masking tape off the hull. I'll let it cure for at least three days before masking the deck for the pin-striping. During that time I can be fitting bits on the inside and other odd jobs.

[Deleted]

happy boating ,.. nice job,.. good luck and god bless,.. i had a tri hull years ago . the only problem was my kids had tons of fun ,..they really enjoyed it ,. had to sell it after a couple of years my ex , had fear of water ,.. she became a beach watcher,.. instead , oh well,.. good luck with the boat , and god bless all . cmkms .. twt.

[Odyssey]

Super job Brig, Obviously a job done well, due to the love and care of a seaman. She looks nice. Good luck.

Be sure to post pics of the finished job.

[Deleted]

Thanks O, it has been a blast. And, I will definitely post pics when we launch her for the first time.

[Deleted]

I may yet get this thing in the water by the Holiday weekend.

Today, I pin-striped the deck.

[tchrguy]

Brig,

That is indeed a paragon for emulation. Perhaps, someday you can do the same to that big yacht of yours.

[Deleted]

Thanks Teach. It's getting very exciting. For so very long, it looked the same, despite constant progress. But, it is amazing what a little paint can do to brighten things up.

I've got the inside half of one patch left to do and the rest is just re-assembly. Some of it requiring two sets of hands. If I can get help, I'll be done by Friday. I would have gotten the patch done tonight, but the wife is gone at budget meetings and I'm stuck here with the kids asleep and a need for supplies. I even tried emailing my neighbor to see if he was still up and could make a run for me. No joy.

I'll getter, though.

[Odyssey]

Brig, Is that your daughter in the pic?....

It sure looks it, if it is,My goodness she has grown since this thing called CMKX got started.

[Deleted]

Yes, my daughter turned nine in April. She was nine months old when we got into this mess. Plus, I have a son who turns Seven Friday. He wasn't even a gleam in my eye yet when this mess started. He's the lad in my Avatar and that pic is over two yrs old, already.

Simply amazing this thing has kept us riveted this long.

[Deleted]

My son turns 7, today. I have been working feverishly to get the boat done so we could go for a boat ride on his birthday. School gets out in an hour and I am ready to pick him up...



For some reason, the pic of the dash did not upload properly, though it may appear later. (I've had that happen before.)

[Odyssey]

Good show!!

She looks Great!!!

Congratulations on finishing in time for the weekend.



I wanna go...sob, sob....lol

[tricia]

Wow, Brig, fantastic job. Your project turned out beautiful. You and your son enjoy your boat ride today. Congratulations!!

[Deleted]

Thank you, ladies. Unfortunately, our first attempt was a bust. I wore down the battery trying to get it started. It did start twice, but I couldn't keep it running... sigh.

[lonewolf]

Nice job Brig. , it turned out very nice.

[Deleted]

Thanks Wolf. I busted my butt to get it done by this weekend. Hopefully we will be able to actually use it at some point.