The lens in the starboard navigation light on my 1963 57' Constellation broke a while ago and I haven't been able to locate a replacement lens. Does anyone know where I might be able to get one?
 
Thanks,
Joe
M/V Crazy Notion
1963 57' Constellation

Don; Porpoising can be a problem with many of these smaller boats for reasons Ray pointed out. It think that two things can make the biggest difference. 1. The center of gravity is to far aft. This is very similar to the CG of aircraft. The CG affects the attitude at which the boat will ride and the...

I apologize for bringing up this topic again as it was discussed back in August 2000. I just need a follow-up on the problem of pospoising of a '63 CC ski boat. I got my boat in the water three times last summer and had a terrible issue of porpoising and must address it now. Comments were made by Do...

At the risk of a shameless plug, I'll second Tom's nod to Wade. Jim is a nice guy to deal with. All of the thirteen orders that I have sent his way were completed in a timely fashion, sometimes remarkably fast, and it's like Christmas when you unwrap them. He is a professional. He is not only fastid...

Graves should be at Mt. Dora and probably, so will New England Plating. In my experience, Graves is 2 times the price of both New England Plating and Wade Technology (Plating) in Philadelphia for what I consider to be the same quality. I have been very pleased with both New England and Wade Technolo...

Hello group:

How about some discourse on chrome techniques, quality, experiences?

Hi Lisa, Our boat (as previously described) was striped and then painted completely white about 6 to 8 years before we acquired her.  At that time we knew less than you have already forgotten, about old wood boats.   We decided to strip it all off and go back to the CC red stain and high gloss varni...

Restoration of brightwork is something about which I can help, as can many othrs here. The old varnish can be stripped safely in three ways, with a heat-gun-and-scraper, with sanding, or with a paper towel soaked in MEK, covered with 4-mil Poly sheet [Visqueen or similar] or aluminum foil, and left ...

Does anyone know if the brightwork on the 1940 Cabin Cruiser's can be restored (I hoping I'm describing it correctly), or is that wood just not going to look good on that year; do i want to keep her painted?...

Thanks so much,

List Kost

First, congrats on restoring a really cool boat.  I have a soft spot for the 60’s boats.  What engine is in yours?  I have had good success with the POR-15 product for cleaning, etching, and sealing older galvanized tanks.  Check the website out and read about it.  Wiring articles are out there and ...

I am presently restoring a 21' 1964 CC Super Sport and have two areas I need help and/or guidance in: ?1. My galvanized steel gas tank is out of the boatwith sender and filler neck removed. Feeling inside I detect a white powder  coating on the higher sections and what I assume is patches of varnish...

also try asndusky paint- they have some (agast) non chris craft colors that sometimes help when blending stains... I think george kirby also carries stain?? maybe not but his paints are aresum for classic colors and sheen
-caleb

Bobby,
 
I used a Interlux filler stain from Classic Boat Connection.  They have several options of the red mahogany stain as well as the darker brown stain.  Try classicboatconnection.com
 
Good luck
 
John McConnell
'67, 40' Connie

Went by and checked on the boat yesterday.  No PINK PAINT!!!  It looks wonderful, beautiful raw, sanded mahogany.  It's a totally different boat now.  Where can I order some interior stain samples.  As I mentioned before, I'd like to go a bit darker and redder than the original, but not as much as t...

Chip;   I know just the fella you want to get in touch with.  His name is Rube Goldberg. Ha!  Just kidding.  I'm very familiar with your engine and I will look into it to see what I can envision.  I have a picture of your engine you sent me some time ago.  I'll start there.   Thx Don Ayers Ps.  Van ...

Greetings list, I have a 1938 Gray Fireball 6-160 engine and the carb's have been driving me nuts since we completed the restoration of our boat in 1991. I finally replaced the three old Zenith 228's with modified NOS Zenith 228's that have accelerator pumps that should actually work!   My three new...

There is a bill in Illinois house of reps to require all boats to have a 1 inch reflective stripe around the hull,imagine that!!

Chris

Wilson,
 
Is this not a legislative issue that could effect every member of the Club over time, and therefore be something that the Club membership might be guided into assisting this member and all of the members in Ohio, rather than having them stand alone?

Skiperbob

Bret:   This matter of affixing new numbers to old boats was mentioned at the ACBS quarterly board meeting at Skaneatles, NY last July. As described by Gene Porter, the ACBS point person on governmental affairs, it is part of some federal Coast Guard regulation. He advised that since it is so onerou...

Also contacting the Northcoast/Ohio Chapter of the ACBS might be an option.

tom

My advice would be to try to find someone in the state legislature that has an old boat and do a letter writing campaign explaining how the state will be liable for the decrease in value of a classic, antique, or historical interest vessel due to their actions,,,,, they HATE the idea of upset voters...

Bret:

Isn't Ohio the same state that told the Wright brothers they weren't interested in having the Wright brothers shop as a museum? Now it's in Michigan!

George

Texas "used" to allow documented vessels to forgo numbering, and avoid state tax and licensing. Now they will have all boats pay for licensing, but they will forgo numbers for documented vessels. (Thank God) However, they will be collecting tax on all documented vessels purchased after 1982 (I think...

Wilson and list, have you heard of any other states doing what Ohio is doing?  My goofy state lawmakers have deemed that all watercraft title registrations must now have a 12 digit hull number for the vessel.  And therefore the vessel must physically bear a 12 digit number.  I believe that the law n...

Let me add some things to Scott's reply to your question about the rudder stuffing box.    You are going to need a very large wrench to loosen the nut on the stuffing box.  Borrow a large adjustable pipe wrench.  Once the nut breaks free, it will be easy to unscrew and slide up the rudder post.  Don...

Carol Ann,   Both the shaft and the rudder each have a "stuffing" box where they enter the boat and each is filled with what is called "flax packing".  This looks like a small piece of rope impregnated with wax.  The first and most simple thing to try to stop them from leaking, if they are the probl...

hope everybody,had a good thanksgiving. i'm having a problem with water coming thru the hull. i replaced,the thru hull bolts on the strut,replaced the drain plug fitting. all that is left is the rudder. is there  packing in the shaft..what keeps,the shaft,water tight?? thank you for any help. carol ...

Keith,     It is a sure bet to re-work the 6 volt system.  First, be sure that the rewinder rewires the generator to be 'spark resistant,' per code.  You will also have to change the coils... no big deal, and the lamps on your control station(s).  You MAY have other 6 volt equipment, but I doubt it....

I am repowering with two K engines in my 34 DCFB cruiser 1952 and wanted use a 12 volt system.   The Toledo Auto Electric company (800-283-2839 responded to me that they could rewind and convert my original 6 volt generators to 12 volt.   I haven't done it yet but I though others might like to know ...

Steve, I'm glad we rehearsed this <NOT>. Your check is in the mail Actually, I have started to supply it. I buy the the more common sizes (1/4", 1/2") in pallets, other sizes by the sheet and sell on ebay at http://www.stores.ebay.com/vintageboathardwareandsupply as well as using it for restorations...