Oh Jack,

First things first: What size and age? In the 50's a Riviera was an
18-20' open runabout but in the 60's CC put that same name on 30+' cabin
cruisers - let's assume you mean the former.

Then (as you know) there are different flavor carpenters - and that is
just before you get your feet wet. A being a boat builder is sort of
like being a an instrument special cabinet maker like the kind that
builds grand pianos from scratch. I hope you are a better than "decent"
carpenter by current trade standards.

Next trick, find one at all - let alone a good candidate for a
restoration. These were monagany boats, and if poor cared for they can
be salvage proof pretty fast.

Read everything you can find about wooden boats (find a friend that has
an old collection of Wooden Boat Magazine) and start studying.

The hull is all that counts. When(if) you find one, get ready to go
after it with an icepick or a good pointed pocket knife. Any wood you
can stick the tool into will have to be dealt with (either sistered or
replaced). Do not be bashful, the sellers usually think that all it
will take is rolling (no joke) another coat of varish on it to be good
to go.

If the boat is not complete, be wary, people do not take fittings off
good boats, and they can be impossible to replace.

Don't fret the engine. These were old flat head marine engines and if
it needs more than the carburetor cleaned, take it out (save it) and put
in something new so you can enjoy the boat.

I have seen projects like this numerous times. Even one done by a
librarian that was sent to me by a mutual friend because he did not know
about how to select and use a plane (then - he does now). He was on his
third the last time we talked (boat - not plane).

Expect it to take a year if the boat looks perfect.

Did this answer your questions? If not - try again. I will be gone for
a week, but I am here alot.

Matt Colie
Lifelong Waterman, Licensed Mariner and Perpetual Sailor


Jack wrote:
Hello all,
(This has probably been answered before )
My wife has this crazy idea that she wants me to restore an old Chris Craft
Riviera. She saw one on a local lake, and fell in love with it. She thinks
that since I am a decent carpenter, its only natural that I could restore a
boat, right ?? (oh my god, what am i writing!!)
I have no idea where to start. Have you seen first timers restore these
boats? If I find one to restore, what should would be something you look
for to not buy the project boat. (like missing bottom, etc, engine really
bad, etc.) We might just buy one, but I would like to give a restoration a
shot. I have already done cars, so I know that restoration work is tough.
Thanks for your time. Sorry for the long post.