Christmas in February.

The next best thing to getting the last Brass Bell from CCABC in the mail was to receive the "research package" from the Mariners Museum. Chris Craft donated the hull card for every boat built since the 20's, so you can see exactly how your boat was equipped when shipped from the Chris Craft plant. The museum also have drawings, documentation and original photos you can order copies of.



My boat was shipped as a standard boat, no extra equipment or special order.

Removing the hardware.

It's been cold... really cold... On the only day above freezing so far this year, I was able to start removing hardware and gauges. The gauges are in pretty bad shape, and after research and recommendations, I have chosen Mark Clawson (www.markclawson.com) to restore them back to their former glory.

This the current state of the gauges:




And this is how they would look after Mark Clawson is finished:




Through "The Buzz", Chris Craft Antiques boat club's online forum, I got confirmed that my deck vents are the original for the 1940 17" Deluxe.




I got the tickets and hotels for the Mount Dora show in March booked as well. Can't wait...............

Engine choice and old litterature

Thanks (?) to Matt Smith at woodyboater.com, I'm now "plastered all over the blogosphere". All I wanted was to keep a journal for friends and family to follow the progress on the project. Well, this is my chance to keep both the boat project and blog going.

Engine choices:
The original 95 hp K engine was replaced with a 120 hp KLC sometime in the 50's. Since I am going to spend a lot of money on the engine, I asked Don Ayers for his advise on the matter. And, as expected from the "master of barrelbacks", I received a well documented and meaningfull reply. Putting a pre-war engine back in the boat is only right choice. And If I wanted an engine with with more horse power (like the KLC) I should consider to have a 121 hp KB built, which was an option for the 17' Deluxe. The triple carburetor KB is an great looking engine, however 3 grand more than a K, well we'll see.....

Here is some great information I got on the KB from Don Ayers:




From the Chris Craft Antique Boat Club's archives I found a copy of the original brochure for the 1940 Chris Craft line up. Below you see the page on the 1940 17' Deluxe. Cost new in 1940 with the K engine option, $1445.00.




Happy new boating year!

Engine is out and oohh yee, project No. 1....

Took the engine out the same time I lifted her of the trailer. No surprises, but I just want to show of the great engine mount bracing.... Nothing like 2 by 4's and some 5" nails.




The engine on it's new crate. Not for too long I hope........ 2 years maybe 3........




Also, check out the wiring. A "great" retrofit with one "handy-box" at the engine and one under the dash. Four-lead household cable. Ground wire to starter.........




Just want to give a "honorable mention" to project No. 1. Getting this one done first will "grease the wheel" when it come to getting woody-boat expenses "approved" in years to come. My wife's first car, a 1969 MGB which she bought on her 16th birthday. Are in good route to get it finished for her big 4-0 next May. Engine is out being rebuilt by one of the best mechanics I ever met, Wade Marston here in Shrewsbury, old school and can-do. New valve seats for unleaded gas, total rebuild. He might restore and rebuild the flathead six as well. Just waiting for the bodyshop to pick her up for a back to original British Racing Green paint job (and a few pounds of Bondo....).

Off the trailer, out with the engine.

$200 worth of materials from Home Depot + 2 days of labor to build lift frames, $150 for a pair of 2 ton chain falls from Grizzly, $30 for a pair of 4" straps from a on-line shipping supplier and we're ready to lift the boat off the trailer.




All strapped up and ready to lift. Will my frame hold? After all they are made so I can take them apart for easy storage.



Everything just fine, no bending or flexing. So I guess my "rule of thumb" engineering works...... (the clamps are only for keeping the chains away from the boat)



Finally off the trailer and on the dollies. Now you can really see the exceptional beautiful lines. I guess that is why these boats are sought after today.
Now back in the garage for removal of all interior hardware over the winter, and hopefully turn her over to start the woodwork in early spring.

A little history.

This boat left Algonac on May 28th. 1940, and was delivered to Washington DC. I believe the boat was kept in Virginia most of it's seaworthy life. You can see the outline of the boat registration, VA 7418 B, on it's bow. It would be cool to track this down, and find it's original owners or their family.

During production, the hull number was punched into the wood several places on the boat. Inside the hatch frame and on the hatches them self. Pretty cool......



I need to look into suppliers for the engine work. Van Ness Engineering has done great wonders on other engines from gray boats, and Mark Dawson is renowned for his work on gauges. Have a feel it's going to get expensive very soon........

Have started to disassemble of the interior, or what's left of it. Most of the rot appear to be between the forward seat and steering column. Got some rot on top of the starboard stringer, maybe 1/2" deep. I've either have to replace the entire stringer or make a "dutchman". I'll make the decision when it's turned over.

1940 17' Chris Craft Deluxe, No. 71648.

Well, here she is. After two years of studying frame up boat restoration, my new project is in the drive way. And I'm getting ready for 2000 or so hours of restoration work. The 17' Barrelback, manufactured in '40, '41' and '42 is one of the most collectable Chris Craft antique boats, with only 425 made. Even though I'm a woodworker by trade, new skills need to be learned. Steam bending is all new to me. I'll update the blog as I go along with the restoration. Hints and problems will be listed.