| Macatawa Bay Boat Works
Premium Restoration |
| Updated 02/12/2008
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| 1965
Chris Craft Custom Ski Boat 18' |
One
of only 60 produced in 1965, this light weight ski boat came with the 283
V8 and was a great performer. This particular boat was family owned
for most of its life and the customer who has commissioned Macatawa Bay
Boat Works to restore the boat learned how to water ski behind this boat
as a child. This boat was well used by the entire family and has
come to us for a second life. |
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the boat is how it was the day it was picked up from the marina that
stored the boat. |
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Initial disassembly shows an overall solid
boat with a tired bottom. Below, one of several "patches" to
stop leaks or repair rotten areas. This one seams to be done with
roofing tar.
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Rolling the boat over....
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Another patch pictured above, this one is a
piece of steel screwed to the bottom. With many patches, it was time
to take this old bottom off and replace with new Okoume marine
plywood.
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With the bottom off, we found the simple and
efficient frame structure used by Chris Craft on these mid 1960's plywood
boats. We will laminate four new frames that run parallel to the
keel. Years of storage on a trailer that provided inadequate support
have caused these members to lose their proper shape (see below). When
compared to our I-beam straight edge, the bottom is clearly out of
shape. Thankfully, the keel is still straight and solid and can be
reused.
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After the new structural member have been
laminated, installed and faired in, we begin making and dry fitting the
new plywood bottom made of Lloyds Register 3/8" Okoume marine plywood
produced in France in accordance with British Standard #1088 (seen below).
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The dry fit panels are sealed (above) prior
to permanent installation. The 3M-5200 is seen being applied to the framework
(below).
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Installation is a team effort and Kirk
really puts his weight into the project!
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The new plywood bottom attached with 3M-5200
and stainless screws. The screw holes are filled with waterproof putty
prior to the bottom being sealed and painted.
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bottom installed and painted blue
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Rolled
back over, we see the bilge side of the new plywood bottom and restored
framework. The bilge will be painted white and the cosmetic
restoration of the decks and hullsides will begin
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Please check back for more photos as the
progress continues ...
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