Chris Craft Sedan / Mark Daniels | In The Workshop | The Workshop

Chris Craft Sedan / Mark Daniels

Return of the Classic

Restoration is a subject frequently discussed at the Wooden Boat Centre. To engage in the expensive and time consuming process needed to bring a wooden boat back to life takes a lot of faith not to mention courage. The decisions to be made centre around the intrinsic value of the boat under discussion, its place in history, the contribution it made to the evolution of boats or boating and the actual condition of the example under discussion.

Mark Daniels has embarked on the restoration voyage with his 1947 Chris-Craft Sedan. Mark is an experienced restorer and is under no illusions about the task he has set himself. The boat being worked on, however, ticks all the boxes for a restoration. It's precise history is known, it's place in the continuum of boat evolution is important (look at that superstructure). Mark sought out a boat in the best possible condition but, most important, one that had all the original equipment and was unmodified.

It is often difficult to persuade an individual who has the opportunity to acquire an old boat of the difference between an asset and a liability. Just because a boat is old, or free, does not make it as asset. Mainly it makes it a liability. Acquisition of an old boat usually means a commitment of funds and energy which, if applied to a new construction, would demonstrate our adage "you can build a new one in less time for less money". And at the end of the process you could have a new boat.

In this case Mark has examined the literature, which for Chris-Craft boats is extensive, and is now involved in a painstaking dismantling and recording of the structure. It will be a great result.

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.