Transom and keel work.

Chipping along and getting work done. After a week of trial and error, I'm finally satisfied with the upper and lower transom bows. The curve is correct and no checking or cracks.

Starting the fitting and assembly of the new transom.

The new Mahogany keel is fitted to the bottom frames and to the forefoot/stem assembly.

Things are coming together!

Now we're cooking!

After burning out three heater elements in a day, I got the bugs out of my steam generator. I raised the water level to 2/3 of the riser pipe, and no problem. Also tried to steam my lower transom bow in a uninsulated plastic pipe, without much luck.

Got some 1 1/2" aluminum sided "Styrofoam" to build a proper box and getting 211-212 Fahrenheit (99-100 dgr. C) in the box. With blocks screwed to the workbench, I have no problem getting the right curve. Though I had to cook the piece 3 times, with overnight soaking in between, to get it the way I wanted. You live and learn......

The upper transom bow cooling off:

Mark Clawson Magic.

Two years ago when I started asking questions on where to send my instruments for restoration, Mark Clawson was highly recommended for pre-war gauges. People also said; "It will take some time though", and they were right on that point. Yesterday I receieved back my blue-faced gauges 1 1/2 year after I sent them out. And they are awesome! His workmanship is exeptional good, we are fortunate that there are craftsmen like him left.

Before:

After:

I also want to mention Dale Kocian for gauge work. He also have a great reputation among woody boaters and is a great guy. He is also about 30% less in price than Mark. I just sent him 3 Chris Craft gauges for a 1958 Riva Florida for a friend in Norway, that had a 5 day stint under water last summer.