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'56 Connie 47' Hull restore

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boat_art
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Post by boat_art » Sun Mar 24, 2013 7:05 pm

I watched carefully as we loaded it onto the 3 point trailer and amazingly I could detect no sag at all in the hull! That is a long span from the gripe to the aft 2 corners. The real strength comes not as much from the keel as from the 4 huge 4x5 fir stringers that run almost the entire length.

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http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

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tkhersom
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Post by tkhersom » Sun Mar 24, 2013 7:14 pm

Are you keeping the stairs?

I like them, even though they are not original.
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

boat_art
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Post by boat_art » Mon Mar 25, 2013 8:00 pm

Oh ya I am keeping them! When we first got the boat I told the wife that they have to go. Well, that worked for about 6 seconds. Needless to say, they stay!
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

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tkhersom
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Post by tkhersom » Mon Mar 25, 2013 8:21 pm

I am glad!

I think they add a uniqueness that makes her stand out, and that is better than being original.
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

boat_art
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Re: '56 Connie 47' Hull restore

Post by boat_art » Sun Sep 22, 2013 3:52 pm

Bullnose built up from 1" mahogany.
Attachments
SAM_0333.JPG
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

boat_art
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Re: '56 Connie 47' Hull restore

Post by boat_art » Sun Sep 22, 2013 3:54 pm

Planking in, first primer coat. Tons of shaping and fairing to go.
Attachments
SAM_0339.JPG
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

Peter M Jardine
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Re: '56 Connie 47' Hull restore

Post by Peter M Jardine » Sun Sep 22, 2013 7:38 pm

Glad to see her hull whole again Tom... nice. :wink:

boat_art
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Re: '56 Connie 47' Hull restore

Post by boat_art » Sun Sep 22, 2013 8:02 pm

Thanks Peter...if customer boats didnt keep getting in the way she would be in the water by now!
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

Peter M Jardine
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Re: '56 Connie 47' Hull restore

Post by Peter M Jardine » Sun Sep 22, 2013 9:11 pm

I know the feeling, except for me it's the day job that pays for all the restore work... :roll:
Why can't I just do what I want and have someone pay me a lot to do it? :mrgreen:

boat_art
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Re: '56 Connie 47' Hull restore

Post by boat_art » Sun Sep 22, 2013 9:26 pm

Sorry peter...but it has taken me over 40 years to get to do what I love all day long.
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

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tkhersom
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Re: '56 Connie 47' Hull restore

Post by tkhersom » Mon Sep 23, 2013 5:34 am

That Bullnose looks Great!
:D
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

boat_art
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Re: '56 Connie 47' Hull restore

Post by boat_art » Mon Sep 23, 2013 2:28 pm

Thanks tk! Not as good as yours tho.....YET!
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

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whamm511
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Re: '56 Connie 47' Hull restore

Post by whamm511 » Sat Apr 19, 2014 6:00 pm

Troy,

You mention that you need to FWC your engines since you're in salt water. I take it that FWC means Fresh Water Cool. Is that correct? I would think that since you're in salt water you would want to use Enclosed Cooling for your engines. Perhaps I'm just misunderstanding your nomenclature.

Tom,

I do most of my surfing on my iPhone and I can't get your website to load properly so the only pics I've really seen are the ones you've posted here. Wow you've got a big task but you've also made a lot of progress. Congrats!
Bill Hammond
1960 36' Connie
Flint/Port Huron, MI
http://www.chris-craft.org/registry/vie ... at_id=1708

boat_art
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Re: '56 Connie 47' Hull restore

Post by boat_art » Sat Apr 19, 2014 6:41 pm

Thanks Bill...lots more to go, but then its the goin' not the getten there!
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

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tkhersom
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Re: '56 Connie 47' Hull restore

Post by tkhersom » Sun Apr 20, 2014 6:01 am

whamm511 wrote:Troy,

You mention that you need to FWC your engines since you're in salt water. I take it that FWC means Fresh Water Cool. Is that correct? I would think that since you're in salt water you would want to use Enclosed Cooling for your engines. Perhaps I'm just misunderstanding your nomenclature.
Bill:

Maybe it is me using the wrong nomenclature? :?

I consider a FWC (Fresh Water Cooled) system to be an "Enclosed Cooling" system using antifreeze (at least in the northeast) and a heat exchanger that uses "Raw Water" (in this case salt water) to cool the antifreeze.

Unless I am mistaken we are talking about the same type of system using different verbiage.

It is my understanding that a "Raw Water System" just takes the water from the outside of the boat runs it through the engines and out through the exhaust (unless of course you have a dry exhaust system).

If I am using the wrong name here please feel free to correct me. :wink:

Troy in ANE
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

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whamm511
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Re: '56 Connie 47' Hull restore

Post by whamm511 » Sun Apr 20, 2014 6:52 am

We are definitely talking about the same type of system. I'll just forget about nomenclature and let someone else more versed than I am suggest the right verbiage.
Bill Hammond
1960 36' Connie
Flint/Port Huron, MI
http://www.chris-craft.org/registry/vie ... at_id=1708

High Seas
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Re: '56 Connie 47' Hull restore

Post by High Seas » Sat May 31, 2014 2:13 am

All Diesels were FWC, am I assuming this boat has gas engines?

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tkhersom
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Re: '56 Connie 47' Hull restore

Post by tkhersom » Sat May 31, 2014 5:06 am

High Seas wrote:All Diesels were FWC, am I assuming this boat has gas engines?
Yes, the boat I am talking about is running WBR (Hercules) gas engines.

That being said it is not the boat in this thread, so here is the link to my thread.

http://www.chris-craft.org/discussion/v ... =45&t=8610
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

High Seas
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Re: '56 Connie 47' Hull restore

Post by High Seas » Wed Jun 04, 2014 12:54 am

boat_art wrote:I have checked here and cant find anyone else doing a Connie like mine. I thought I would post some pics but they are all on my website so if you are interested check it out
http://www.boatartgallery.net/gallery/Hercules?page=1

If someone else has posted about a project like this, please let me know. Thanks
Image
What is your hull #? [email protected]

boat_art
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Re: '56 Connie 47' Hull restore

Post by boat_art » Fri Jul 25, 2014 6:12 am

WillieB is now in the water! Without the 'rubber underpants' and with the new bottom and framing, she is more watertight than she has been in 40 years. Pump runs about every hour for maybe 10 seconds, after 4 days on the water.
Next is repairs to the deck to keep her water tight. Then I will overlay with synthetic teak. I know its a not Hoyle but its my best solution. At least 1/8 of the teak has been sanded away over the years and not enough remains to sand again.
Attachments
WP_20140711_005.jpg
WP_20140722_002.jpg
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

boat_art
Posts: 556
Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2012 6:09 pm
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Re: '56 Connie 47' Hull restore

Post by boat_art » Sun Jul 27, 2014 7:22 am

First two pieces of Plasteek laid out. Note the 'maple' cabin side piece. Someone did a good job of replacing that plank but for some unknown reason used maple! After all is finished I will go back and replace it.
Attachments
WP_20140725_011.jpg
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

Peter M Jardine
Posts: 697
Joined: Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:27 am
Contact:

Re: '56 Connie 47' Hull restore

Post by Peter M Jardine » Mon Jul 28, 2014 7:34 pm

That Plasteek looks great... You know how I feel about stuff like this.... The larger boats are not, by definition, trailer queens. We have to make choices based on the amount of maintenance going forward..... because that load is big, and anything that can reduce it is good. Keeping the look is important too. All good man, looks awesome.

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whamm511
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Re: '56 Connie 47' Hull restore

Post by whamm511 » Mon Jul 28, 2014 9:23 pm

I don't know anything really about Plasteek except to say that I can usually tell at a glance when it's not the real thing. That being said I can understand why folks use it. I would ask how it is installed so as to protect the wood below? Is it adhered with some type of adhesive? Is it sealed? When used on decks as in this application how do you ensure that it won't lift, buckle or curl?
Bill Hammond
1960 36' Connie
Flint/Port Huron, MI
http://www.chris-craft.org/registry/vie ... at_id=1708

boat_art
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Re: '56 Connie 47' Hull restore

Post by boat_art » Mon Jul 28, 2014 9:38 pm

Thanks Peter.
Bill....To use only original decking would be well beyond my finances and time. We use this as our summer home and I am not interested in making show points. This will cost me around 6000 just in materials not including my time. I get the dealer price and I have installed it on several customer boats. One boat was done 7 years ago and it looks like new. I have had no complaints from customers.
The decks had been varnished many times and the had been sanded at least twice. I stripped to bare wood with heat gun and scraper. Then sanded with 40 grit, then filled any cracks and holes with epoxy. Then I treated with 2 coats of CPES. The glue is applied with a 1/32 tooth spreader and then the material is laid out and rolled out. Backbreaking work but the results are worth it.
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

boat_art
Posts: 556
Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2012 6:09 pm
Location: United States
Contact:

Re: '56 Connie 47' Hull restore

Post by boat_art » Mon Jul 28, 2014 9:45 pm

I forgot...it is NOT sealed at all. I have not had any problem with lifting or buckling but I guess its possible. Soap and water cleans it and if it is cut or stained I use 40 grit sandpaper to remove it, although it hasnt happend yet except when I did it on purpose to test. I always give the customer some extra material just in case. I have removed small pieces where a customer had a couple screw holes after he moved a component and I fitted a dutchman. Removing the pieces was difficult and I used a hammer and chisel.
Last edited by boat_art on Mon Jul 28, 2014 9:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

boat_art
Posts: 556
Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2012 6:09 pm
Location: United States
Contact:

Re: '56 Connie 47' Hull restore

Post by boat_art » Mon Jul 28, 2014 9:48 pm

After finishing the port side deck, caulking edges (Lifecaulk) and installing the coaming. Next I will start the varnish process. I should have removed the shore power cord, looks bad.
Attachments
WP_20140728_002.jpg
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

User avatar
tkhersom
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Re: '56 Connie 47' Hull restore

Post by tkhersom » Tue Jul 29, 2014 6:18 am

I have been told that once you use plasteak you will never go back to the real stuff.

AB still has good teak on her fore decks so I am going to oil them and keep them maintained as long as I can, but if (or when) I need to replace it in the future that is what I will use. :D
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

joanroy
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Re: '56 Connie 47' Hull restore

Post by joanroy » Wed Jul 30, 2014 5:51 am

Keeping our old cruisers alive is quite a challenge and sometimes originality doesn't always make dollars and sense. As temporary caretakers, preservation outweighs originality. This is not to say that we shouldn't try to keep them as true to original as possible, but if we keep them floating and useable during our ownership, the possibility exist for a future museum quality restoration. More and more old wooden cruisers are being crushed and left to rot and the survivors eventually will be prized and spending the money and time it takes to bring them back will be well worth it. Just not in our lifetime. I think we're kind of the middle men. My decks were glassed twenty five years ago by the original owner whom had already owned her for thirty five years. I think it saved the boat. I t kept out that rain water that causes so much rot and destruction. The Plasteek is great for now and will help save the boat for some lucky future owner.

boat_art
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Re: '56 Connie 47' Hull restore

Post by boat_art » Thu Aug 14, 2014 6:20 pm

Agreed.....we dont really own wood boats, more like we assume the responsibility till someone else takes over.
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

Peter M Jardine
Posts: 697
Joined: Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:27 am
Contact:

Re: '56 Connie 47' Hull restore

Post by Peter M Jardine » Thu Aug 14, 2014 7:57 pm

joanroy wrote:Keeping our old cruisers alive is quite a challenge and sometimes originality doesn't always make dollars and sense. As temporary caretakers, preservation outweighs originality. This is not to say that we shouldn't try to keep them as true to original as possible, but if we keep them floating and useable during our ownership, the possibility exist for a future museum quality restoration. More and more old wooden cruisers are being crushed and left to rot and the survivors eventually will be prized and spending the money and time it takes to bring them back will be well worth it. Just not in our lifetime. I think we're kind of the middle men. My decks were glassed twenty five years ago by the original owner whom had already owned her for thirty five years. I think it saved the boat. I t kept out that rain water that causes so much rot and destruction. The Plasteek is great for now and will help save the boat for some lucky future owner.

Very well said.

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