Restoration Progress

Post by **mattbyrne** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 1:49 pm

The Gar Wood section has been very quiet so I thought I post a couple of pics on my progress. I took a couple of weeks off around the holidays and got some "quality" time on the boat. I have the framing complete, new stem and gripe fit, new keel with rabbit cut and the chines are steam bent waiting final fitting and plank rabbit. Here are some photos.

cenger · Post by **cenger** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 2:16 pm

Nice, what year and model? I have ’35 Split Cockpit basket cases that ready for new bottom, frames and keel. I had to work a bit backward by doing some topside framing first. Topsides were so shot I didn’t think they could support the boats own weight when flipped over. Getting excited, engine is down at VanNess, Gauges at Clawson’s and Chrome just came back from Graves ($5K for chrome Ouch!).

Post by **mattbyrne** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 2:49 pm

It's a 1939 19' Custom Runabout Model 912

btw Does anyone know what changed in 1940 to make it a deluxe runabout?

Oberon01 · Post by **Oberon01** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:57 pm

I can't answer the question, but I can report good progress being made on the restoration of my '46 22' 6" Sedan. It is being done by Dave Jerome in Portland and he's been at it for nearly three months. All the frames are done, transom is done and battens in. New planking should be arriving this week. The chrome has been completed, the engine is ready for re-assembly and the gauge cluster is with Kocian. Just have to work out the correct color for the canvas top and sort out the interior. Interior is in very good shape but it is not correct. Will probably replace with a new and correct interior. Hope to have it wet this summer.

Brian Robinson · Post by **Brian Robinson** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 10:44 pm

Matt,

The 19' R/A was still called a Custom Runabout in 1940. The two boats (1939 and 1940 models) are completely identical except for mid-way through 1940 they added the flare details to the covering boards and king planks like the larger boats already had (this occurred somewhere around hull #6454) and added two pleats in the middle of the seat backs. They also used a slightly different gauge panel.

The 1941 and 1942 19'6" R/A's were called Deluxe Runabouts (or "De Luxe" Runabouts). These were redesigned with the biggest difference being the raked aft barrel transom, which added 6" to the length.

The model name changes that came in for 1941 applied to nearly every model, versus that of 1940. The 1941 Gar Woods were the design pinnicle of the companies boat production, IMHO. The 1942 boats were equally good, and extremely rare, with a total of only eight "civilian" boats produced that year.

Mark Christensen · Post by **Mark Christensen** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 10:39 am

Is all of this in the classic boat wiki?

Don Ayers · Post by **Don Ayers** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 11:04 pm

Matt;

Save all the parts and take a lot of pics for me

Post by **mattbyrne** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 2:55 pm

Well Its been a while so I thought I'd post some updated pictures.

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Don Ayers · Post by **Don Ayers** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 3:48 pm

Matt;

Very nice work, Thanks for posting.

At this stage are those bottom planks just dry fit at the moment?

I would like to see if you have any pics of the inner bottom going on with all those little hourglass blocks that GW's are famous for.

Post by **mattbyrne** » Sun Jan 31, 2010 8:15 pm

Inner ply is glued down (5200) and outer planknig is just dry fit for now. I hope to take it all apart and glue everything down in the next week or two.

Not sure what you mean by "hourglass blocks" but
here are couple pictures of the inner ply.

cenger · Post by **cenger** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 10:15 am

Wow Don, I thought I had a Grey Gar Wood. You Win!

Here are a few progress shots.

1948 Deluxe · Post by **1948 Deluxe** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 5:07 pm

I spoke with Matt some time ago. I have 2 1941 19'-6" Deluxe Runabouts, here's the greyest! The other is complete with the bottom off. The "plan" is to do them together side by side. Nice to see someone getting further along on a Gar project than I.
Bob Shapton

drrot · Post by **drrot** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 5:44 pm

Bob,
Did one of your projects look like this?

1948 Deluxe · Post by **1948 Deluxe** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 6:18 pm

Oh yea! That's the one I bought from Maury DeBell. Looks about the same, probably a few pounds lighter from all the moving around. This is hull number is 6706. Shortly after buying this wreck, I bought #6751 which according to Tony Mollica is the last one built in 1941. Somewhere during the two also picked up #6696 a 1941 18'-6" Comet from Jeff Rogers. Shit, their gorgeous before you start the work!

#6751

#6696 w/19'-6" folding V windshield for 6706

Mango · Post by **Mango** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 8:42 pm

mattbyrne wrote:The Gar Wood section has been very quiet so I thought I post a couple of pics on my progress. I took a couple of weeks off around the holidays and got some "quality" time on the boat. I have the framing complete, new stem and gripe fit, new keel with rabbit cut and the chines are steam bent waiting final fitting and plank rabbit. Here are some photos.

Wow, if you did all that in two weeks, congratulations! Nice work.

Post by **mattbyrne** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 9:16 am

Sorry I didn't mean to inply that all that work was done in 2 weeks. I started 1-1/2 years ago!

Post by **mattbyrne** » Mon Mar 22, 2010 9:25 pm

Well tonoght was the big night I flipped the back upright the bottom is done! Not to self never do another bottom. Here is some pictures

Planks glued down

One side sanded

Barrier Coat

Paint

The flip

Ready for the next step/.

Don Ayers · Post by **Don Ayers** » Mon Mar 22, 2010 9:47 pm

fantastic work Matt. You should be very proud and that boat has beautiful lines doesn't it

Brian Robinson · Post by **Brian Robinson** » Mon Mar 22, 2010 10:28 pm

We have the sister to Matt's '39 19' Gar underway as a long term project for a customer. These two boats were consecutively built and are identical models. Really neat boats.

Don Ayers · Post by **Don Ayers** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 5:32 am

I love the crown the Gar's had. Wish CC had not flattened out their decks in the late 30's and early 40's.

I've had the pleasure to ride in one of these and it really does kick A**. The Gar's generally have a deeper entry don't pound as much.

Looks great Brian! Thanks for sharing.

Don Vogt · Post by **Don Vogt** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 7:04 am

I agree Don. Do you think the crowning was purely aesthetic or were there some other reasons, too for crowning? I guess the water runs off better for one thing.

Don Ayers · Post by **Don Ayers** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 8:47 am

Good question. I really don't know. I would think it was purely cosmetic in nature as it would not affect performance.

Mark Christensen · Post by **Mark Christensen** » Tue Mar 23, 2010 11:58 am

If only I could be where you are now..... good job matt!

Post by **mattbyrne** » Sat Oct 09, 2010 6:38 pm

I had rayco make me a new tank a few months back. Should I paint it bilge color or leave bare aluminum? If painted how does one prepare the aluminum to accept paint?

Brian Robinson · Post by **Brian Robinson** » Sat Oct 09, 2010 10:30 pm

Paint it bilge color, Matt.

We use a zinc chromate primer when painting aluminum.

The straps are black.

Bill Basler · Post by **Bill Basler** » Sat Oct 09, 2010 10:56 pm

I agree with Brian. To take it a step farther, you can wash the tank with a product known as Zing...or also ’ToonBrite. Both of these products are acids, intended for use on aluminum. They are often used to eat the scum lines off of aluminum boats that are kept in the water, ie: pontoons, or ’Toons.

This will eat off all of the oxidation, which can keep paints from adhering properly on aluminum. Then, as Brian suggests, use a Zinc Chromate Primer. I think Krylon makes an acid etch Zinc Chromate type primer that works pretty well if you are going to prime with a spray can.

Post by **mattbyrne** » Sun Oct 10, 2010 11:50 am

Thanks guys, one question on the black paint for straps what type of finish, satin, gloss, flat? (maybe I'm over thinking this one)

Don Ayers · Post by **Don Ayers** » Sun Oct 10, 2010 1:38 pm

matt;

you are not over thinking anything. that is what you have to do to get things as accurate as possible. Don't assume anything!!!

cenger · Post by **cenger** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 9:27 pm

Can anyone suggest the best way to cut the rabbits into the chine and keel for secondary frames on a Gar Wood? I’m thinking of using my laminate trimmer but it would leave a rounded off edge instead of a clean square edge that the original had.

Post by **mattbyrne** » Wed Mar 02, 2011 8:51 am

Well the Gar Wood section has been a very quite, so I thought I give an upate on my restoration.

I threw in the towel and sent the boat off to have the pro's do the planking. It was a tough decision but I just do not have the time to work on the boat. I'm still planning on doing the finish and interior.

I got word last week that my engine is done and ready for a first start up. We hope to do that this weekend. Below are some pictures. I know it's over detailed, (originally none of the brass was polished) and I still need to track down an exhaust elbow, but I think it turned out good.

Restoration Progress

Restoration Progress

Time for an update

Grey Gar's

Re: Restoration Progress

Big Milestone

New fuel tank, paint it?

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