Chris Craft restoration
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. |
Jack wrote:
My wife has this crazy idea that she wants me to restore an old Chris Craft Riviera. Estimate the amount of time and money required to do the restoration, then multiply by 10. If that doesn't stop you, maybe a frontal labotomy willG. Seriously, if you have any limits on the amount of time and money required, don't start. Lew |
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. |
Great information. I knew a boat restore was an insane job.
Instead of a boat, the wife is going to get a 69 camaro. Now there is something that I can do. Thanks to all for your time. "Matt Colie" wrote in message ... 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. |
Funny ... I started out looking at a camaro, got the insurance quote ... and
ended up with an old fixer upper of boat :-) Instead of a boat, the wife is going to get a 69 camaro. Now there is something that I can do. |
On Sat, 30 Jul 2005 16:15:05 GMT, "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. I have restored antique speedboats for 30 years. Two things. 1. Get an expert, a real expert not just someone that thinks he is a an expert, to examine the boat carefully. Be sure you are restoring a boat that will reward your efforts in the best measure possible. 2. Look for Dan Danenberg book on runabout restauration. I don't believe everything he says but it's a great start. |
In article , P.C. Ford
wrote: On Sat, 30 Jul 2005 16:15:05 GMT, "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. I have restored antique speedboats for 30 years. Two things. 1. Get an expert, a real expert not just someone that thinks he is a an expert, to examine the boat carefully. Be sure you are restoring a boat that will reward your efforts in the best measure possible. 2. Look for Dan Danenberg book on runabout restauration. I don't believe everything he says but it's a great start. I agree on those two points but would add one other: 3. Consider building one yourself from scratch. There are designs for wooden runabouts which are attractive and designed for the home carpenter. Glen-L ( www,glenl.com) has four or five different models of the type you are speaking of that have been built many, many times by guys in their garage. They have full materials lists and packages for fasteners, coverings and hardware so you could figure within 10% or so what it might cost for you to build. You could follow the instructions step by step until it is finished. Restoring something means that, for the most part, you have to 'write your own instructions' as it were in order to get it done. So, if it would take a real Chris-Craft to make you happy, go for it. Plug away at it and eventually you will get it done. However, if I were doing it, based on other boat projects i've done and helped on, I'd start from scratch and go from keel to deck with new materials and a design that other guys like me managed to get finished. Jeff |
On Tue, 02 Aug 2005 12:00:57 -0700, raoul wrote:
In article , P.C. Ford wrote: On Sat, 30 Jul 2005 16:15:05 GMT, "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. I have restored antique speedboats for 30 years. Two things. 1. Get an expert, a real expert not just someone that thinks he is a an expert, to examine the boat carefully. Be sure you are restoring a boat that will reward your efforts in the best measure possible. 2. Look for Dan Danenberg book on runabout restauration. I don't believe everything he says but it's a great start. I agree on those two points but would add one other: 3. Consider building one yourself from scratch. There are designs for wooden runabouts which are attractive and designed for the home carpenter. Glen-L ( www,glenl.com) has four or five different models of the type you are speaking of that have been built many, many times by guys in their garage. They have full materials lists and packages for fasteners, coverings and hardware so you could figure within 10% or so what it might cost for you to build. You could follow the instructions step by step until it is finished. Restoring something means that, for the most part, you have to 'write your own instructions' as it were in order to get it done. So, if it would take a real Chris-Craft to make you happy, go for it. Plug away at it and eventually you will get it done. However, if I were doing it, based on other boat projects i've done and helped on, I'd start from scratch and go from keel to deck with new materials and a design that other guys like me managed to get finished. Building from scratch is certainly a pleasure. However, the typical home built boat does not have much of a resale value. If selling the boat is in any way possible (and most boats are eventually sold) you should note this. Glenn-L boats in my opinion would have a particulary low value. One would be better served to build a more complicate boat. Hint: plywood is not fun to work with and does not produce a long lasting boat. Stick with real wood. |
I forget the name of the book but there is an excellent book on restoring a
Chris runabout. I have seen it in the library and at Borders. I would recommend reading that and then re-reading it since there is a lot to the project and potentially there is a lot more too ;-) boats are actually easy, since nothing is level or straight mistakes don't show right ;-) Don't I wish. Just remember that Chriscraft boats were built to last 10 years, OK so they have gone a lot longer. I like them too. Brian |
Boy, Now I'm shocked!! One of your group advised not to use Glen_L
plans due a poor resale value of plywood boats?? 1. I"ve been doing some reading in books, mags, and internet forums for about a year now and all I've seen is "Glen-L is one of the best". 2. All I've seen is a well built plywood boat, glassed on both sides, is so much better than a fiberglassed production boat. 3. A good wooden boat is worth it's weight in gold due to the great detail work that goes into them and last so much longer than present day boats. Wouldn't this increase it's value, rather than decrease its resale value. So who's right? I do understand some home-builts look terrible, squared off, with poor paint and overall poor quality. But I understand this is in the minority of boat builds. The normal is a "great looking, high quality, well made piece of art, built to last a lifetime of enjoyment". Mike, Pensacola, Florida |
On 10 Aug 2005 21:24:48 -0700, "Mike Sr."
wrote: Boy, Now I'm shocked!! One of your group advised not to use Glen_L plans due a poor resale value of plywood boats?? 1. I"ve been doing some reading in books, mags, and internet forums for about a year now and all I've seen is "Glen-L is one of the best". 2. All I've seen is a well built plywood boat, glassed on both sides, is so much better than a fiberglassed production boat. 3. A good wooden boat is worth it's weight in gold due to the great detail work that goes into them and last so much longer than present day boats. Wouldn't this increase it's value, rather than decrease its resale value. So who's right? I do understand some home-builts look terrible, squared off, with poor paint and overall poor quality. But I understand this is in the minority of boat builds. The normal is a "great looking, high quality, well made piece of art, built to last a lifetime of enjoyment". Mike, Pensacola, Florida If you are concerned about getting a decent return on investment, buy a restorable boat. |
To the original poster: If you decide not to restore this boat, I'm looking
for a Rivera to restore. Don Dando , Please reply to: "Lew Hodgett" wrote in message ink.net... Jack wrote: My wife has this crazy idea that she wants me to restore an old Chris Craft Riviera. Estimate the amount of time and money required to do the restoration, then multiply by 10. If that doesn't stop you, maybe a frontal labotomy willG. Seriously, if you have any limits on the amount of time and money required, don't start. Lew |
I was waiting for the subject to come around again to post this link..
Pat Ford and others were giving hints as to how to go about choosing and restoring an older runabout. I advocated, as well as considering restoration, to consider building from scratch. This is a link for a couple of guys in the Nederlands who are building a pair of Glen-L Riverias from scratch. They have an advantage others perhaps do not because they are furniture builders and have access to CNC machines to cut the frames and parts. However, the photos are very instructive as to the process. (BTW: Glen-L sells a frame kit with all frames cut and jig-assembled to gain the accuracy the Dutch guys get with their machines.) http://www.veltens.nl/home.htm Another suggestion which I'm surprised Mr. Ford did not make since he is an officer in his local chapter is to join the Antique and Classic Boat Society (ACBS), especially if there is a local chapter. Join even if you don't have a boat and, really, escpecially if you don't have a boat. The people I have met who are members are a very friendly bunch and may even have your perfect project boat out in their own barn! This is a link to the PNW Chapter. There is plenty of info here and links to other chapters around the country: http://www.acbs-pnw.org/ HTH Jeff In article , Don Dando wrote: To the original poster: If you decide not to restore this boat, I'm looking for a Rivera to restore. Don Dando , Please reply to: "Lew Hodgett" wrote in message ink.net... Jack wrote: My wife has this crazy idea that she wants me to restore an old Chris Craft Riviera. Estimate the amount of time and money required to do the restoration, then multiply by 10. If that doesn't stop you, maybe a frontal labotomy willG. Seriously, if you have any limits on the amount of time and money required, don't start. Lew |
On Wed, 17 Aug 2005 09:19:20 -0700, raoul wrote:
Another suggestion which I'm surprised Mr. Ford did not make since he is an officer in his local chapter is to join the Antique and Classic Boat Society (ACBS), especially if there is a local chapter. Join even if you don't have a boat and, really, escpecially if you don't have a boat. The people I have met who are members are a very friendly bunch and may even have your perfect project boat out in their own barn! This is a link to the PNW Chapter. There is plenty of info here and links to other chapters around the country: http://www.acbs-pnw.org/ Have to plead mea culpa here. It is certainly correct to say that the best thing one could do in a situation like this is to join the ACBS. I used to have a sigfile with the chapter's url in it. But I thought imprudent to have the chapter associated with some of my rantings. (!) Good luck to the original poster. Building a new boat is a neat thing to do. I'm partial to traditional construction. I did work on a cold molded runabout once. Pretty disgusting. Goo gets everywhere. And I do mean everywhere. But maybe you are neater than I am. Regards, pcf I |
On Fri, 12 Aug 2005 22:02:16 -0700, P.C. Ford
wrote: If you are concerned about getting a decent return on investment, buy a restorable boat. On the other hand, If your looking to build something that you can call your own, and don't care what the other 1/2 of the world thinks whom actually have never built a mashed potato mountain on a dinner plate, build whatever you like and call it yours. You can always claim originality....:o) M Russon |
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