03/06/2011 - Chris Craft Sedan / Mark Daniels

Time for new wood soon

With all restorations the difficulty is knowing where to start. A clear plan is critical to the eventual success of the project. It is easy to waste lots of time and money by taking a piece-meal approach because of the intimidating effect that thinking about the whole job has.

Mark has been very clear and logical is his approach to the Chris-Craft. This can be seen in the progress achieved already. Firstly, removing the bottom panels in one piece (each side separately) by the expedient of removing all the screws that held it to the frame. These panels can be used as templates for new material, and give a fascinating insight into how a Chris-Craft was put together. With over 5000 screws used in the original construction this may seem a long way round but the boat has now given up its secrets.

 

With the chine guard and the chine plank removed it is possible to make a decision about what stays and what goes, and the order in which it must be done.

Now the inside if the boat is being leveled and straightened. The engine beds are checked for accuracy and all the bottom frames (whether they will be replaced or not) are leveled. The sheer is braced to the floor to ensure that the shape of the boat is retained while construction is undertaken. More internal bracing will be added before the boat is further dismantled.