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My First Wood Chris Craft (1958 15' Cavalier)(K Engine)
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- hecticlyrelaxed
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My First Wood Chris Craft (1958 15' Cavalier)(K Engine)
Hello everyone here at Boat Buzz forum!
I am a new member of the club, as well as a new owner of a 1958 Chris Craft Cavalier! I am very excited about getting this boat as I have wanted an old Chris Craft since I was very young. I think this will be a perfect starter Chris Craft for me and I am excited to get it in the water and enjoy it. I am sure this Chris Craft will be the first of many as boats are in the blood : )
Although this boat is in pretty good condition I have a list of thing I would like to work on to get him 100% sea worthy. At this point I am less worried about too much cosmetic stuff. I really just want to get it on the water and enjoy for the summer. I will plan on doing cosmetic restoration stuff during the winters.
I bought this boat in South Lake Tahoe, CA and from what I have been told this is where the boat has spent it's life thus far. This will also be the primary lake that I use the boat in as well.
I received the Information package and Hull Card from The Mariners Museum which is awesome this information still exists.
I have added this boat to the Hull Registry as well which can be seen here:
http://www.chris-craft.org/registry/vie ... at_id=2064
Well I am looking forward with talking with some of you here on the forums. My ears are open so advice and comments are encouraged and appreciated. I have some questions that I was hoping to get some mentoring on and will post them here as they come up.
Thank You,
Josh (hecticlyrelaxed)
I am a new member of the club, as well as a new owner of a 1958 Chris Craft Cavalier! I am very excited about getting this boat as I have wanted an old Chris Craft since I was very young. I think this will be a perfect starter Chris Craft for me and I am excited to get it in the water and enjoy it. I am sure this Chris Craft will be the first of many as boats are in the blood : )
Although this boat is in pretty good condition I have a list of thing I would like to work on to get him 100% sea worthy. At this point I am less worried about too much cosmetic stuff. I really just want to get it on the water and enjoy for the summer. I will plan on doing cosmetic restoration stuff during the winters.
I bought this boat in South Lake Tahoe, CA and from what I have been told this is where the boat has spent it's life thus far. This will also be the primary lake that I use the boat in as well.
I received the Information package and Hull Card from The Mariners Museum which is awesome this information still exists.
I have added this boat to the Hull Registry as well which can be seen here:
http://www.chris-craft.org/registry/vie ... at_id=2064
Well I am looking forward with talking with some of you here on the forums. My ears are open so advice and comments are encouraged and appreciated. I have some questions that I was hoping to get some mentoring on and will post them here as they come up.
Thank You,
Josh (hecticlyrelaxed)
Last edited by hecticlyrelaxed on Fri May 31, 2013 1:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
My First Wood Chris Craft Project / Hobby
1958 15' Chris Craft Cavalier
Engine Model K
1958 15' Chris Craft Cavalier
Engine Model K
- hecticlyrelaxed
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Re: My First Wood Chris Craft (1958 15' Cavalier)(K Engine)
Can anyone tell me if this water pump is missing a cap or freeze plug. I had some water come out of the water pump when hooked to the hose. I may want to rebuild this possibly? Any feedback would be appreciated!
My First Wood Chris Craft Project / Hobby
1958 15' Chris Craft Cavalier
Engine Model K
1958 15' Chris Craft Cavalier
Engine Model K
- hecticlyrelaxed
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Sun May 19, 2013 12:49 pm
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Re: My First Wood Chris Craft (1958 15' Cavalier)(K Engine)
And a few more engine pictures I have...
My First Wood Chris Craft Project / Hobby
1958 15' Chris Craft Cavalier
Engine Model K
1958 15' Chris Craft Cavalier
Engine Model K
- Matt Smith
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Re: My First Wood Chris Craft (1958 15' Cavalier)(K Engine)
Welcome to the crazy fun world of classic boating. The great news is that on Lake Tahoe you will NEVER be alone. The good folks at Sierra Boat Co, are a fantastic resource for you if you need professional help. We all need proffesional help by the way. Yes that kind.HA.. someone will comment on your engine shots. Not sure what you mean by a cap? That brass thing is a cup for grease.
1948 25' Chris Craft Sportsman
1937 16' Special Racer
1968 40' Rice Trawler
1968 11' Crab Skiff
2018 Hole in my head
WoodyBoater.com
1937 16' Special Racer
1968 40' Rice Trawler
1968 11' Crab Skiff
2018 Hole in my head
WoodyBoater.com
Re: My First Wood Chris Craft (1958 15' Cavalier)(K Engine)
You should never hook a hose up to the engine. You should allow it to draw water from a bucket. Looks like one of the water pump shafts shifted and knocked the sand core plug out.
Jim Staib
www.finewoodboats.com
1947 Penn Yan 12' Cartopper WXH474611
1950 Chris-Craft 22' Sportsman U-22-1532
1957 Chris-Craft 26' Sea Skiff SK-26-515
1968 Century 17' Resorter FG-68-174
www.finewoodboats.com
1947 Penn Yan 12' Cartopper WXH474611
1950 Chris-Craft 22' Sportsman U-22-1532
1957 Chris-Craft 26' Sea Skiff SK-26-515
1968 Century 17' Resorter FG-68-174
- hecticlyrelaxed
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Re: My First Wood Chris Craft (1958 15' Cavalier)(K Engine)
Thanks Matt!Matt Smith wrote:Welcome to the crazy fun world of classic boating. The great news is that on Lake Tahoe you will NEVER be alone. The good folks at Sierra Boat Co, are a fantastic resource for you if you need professional help. We all need proffesional help by the way. Yes that kind.HA.
I have noticed that their are a good amount of classic boats in the Lake Tahoe area. I know that their is a Wooden Boat Classic in Tahoe coming up and I am looking forward to attending and getting some inspiration : )
I added Sierra Boat Co. to my list of resources, thanks for the suggestion.
My First Wood Chris Craft Project / Hobby
1958 15' Chris Craft Cavalier
Engine Model K
1958 15' Chris Craft Cavalier
Engine Model K
- hecticlyrelaxed
- Posts: 9
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Re: My First Wood Chris Craft (1958 15' Cavalier)(K Engine)
Jim,drrot wrote:You should never hook a hose up to the engine. You should allow it to draw water from a bucket. Looks like one of the water pump shafts shifted and knocked the sand core plug out.
Thanks for the insight about not hooking up the hose. I will make a better setup for running the boat out of water.
What would be your recommendation for me tackling the water pump project. I would like to get this problem fixed so I can be confident that the engine is cooling correctly. Thanks in advance for any advise you can send my way : )
My First Wood Chris Craft Project / Hobby
1958 15' Chris Craft Cavalier
Engine Model K
1958 15' Chris Craft Cavalier
Engine Model K
Re: My First Wood Chris Craft (1958 15' Cavalier)(K Engine)
Welcome aboard! I saw this last week while visiting the Antique Boat Center's website, and thought it was perfect. Especially Rule #1.
http://www.antiqueboat.com/Uploads/file ... 20List.pdf
I hope you get many years of enjoyment from your new investment.
http://www.antiqueboat.com/Uploads/file ... 20List.pdf
I hope you get many years of enjoyment from your new investment.
1953 CC Riviera 18-R-927
- hecticlyrelaxed
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Re: My First Wood Chris Craft (1958 15' Cavalier)(K Engine)
dreed wrote:Welcome aboard! I saw this last week while visiting the Antique Boat Center's website, and thought it was perfect. Especially Rule #1.
http://www.antiqueboat.com/Uploads/file ... 20List.pdf
I hope you get many years of enjoyment from your new investment.
Thanks dreed,
I am excited to be apart of the club. This is definitely a boat that will be enjoyed. Although one day I would love to have it "show" quality, my main priority is to have a reliable and solid boat to enjoy on Lake Tahoe with my family. This one is now part of the family and will be passed down to my kids who at this point in time are 6 months old and 3 years old.
Also thank you for sharing the link. I will be printing and laminating the checklist to put into my boat binder : )
My First Wood Chris Craft Project / Hobby
1958 15' Chris Craft Cavalier
Engine Model K
1958 15' Chris Craft Cavalier
Engine Model K
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Re: My First Wood Chris Craft (1958 15' Cavalier)(K Engine)
Are you sure that is a 1958? The '58 had the white band just under the rub rail. I had a 1958 with the 60hp that I totally restored with new sides and decks. I'm trying to find a picture to post.
- hecticlyrelaxed
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Re: My First Wood Chris Craft (1958 15' Cavalier)(K Engine)
George,George Emmanuel wrote:Are you sure that is a 1958? The '58 had the white band just under the rub rail. I had a 1958 with the 60hp that I totally restored with new sides and decks. I'm trying to find a picture to post.
I have the hull card from the Maritime Museum, the boat was shipped from the factory on 10-17-1958.
It appears that someone painted the black on there at one point. I would love to see the pictures of your boat if you can find them. Can you recall what the Hull Number was?
My First Wood Chris Craft Project / Hobby
1958 15' Chris Craft Cavalier
Engine Model K
1958 15' Chris Craft Cavalier
Engine Model K
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Re: My First Wood Chris Craft (1958 15' Cavalier)(K Engine)
All I have is a scan of a picture from the early 1990s at Mt Dora. Let's see if it will post OK. If you wish to communicate my e-mail is [email protected].[img][/img]
Re: My First Wood Chris Craft (1958 15' Cavalier)(K Engine)
Hose pressure is usually 30-60psi. Enough to blow right by the seals. If it were mine I would take the pump apart and press the shaft back where it belongs. I'd replace the bushings and sand core plugs in the end plate and test it.
hecticlyrelaxed wrote:Jim,drrot wrote:You should never hook a hose up to the engine. You should allow it to draw water from a bucket. Looks like one of the water pump shafts shifted and knocked the sand core plug out.
Thanks for the insight about not hooking up the hose. I will make a better setup for running the boat out of water.
What would be your recommendation for me tackling the water pump project. I would like to get this problem fixed so I can be confident that the engine is cooling correctly. Thanks in advance for any advise you can send my way : )
Jim Staib
www.finewoodboats.com
1947 Penn Yan 12' Cartopper WXH474611
1950 Chris-Craft 22' Sportsman U-22-1532
1957 Chris-Craft 26' Sea Skiff SK-26-515
1968 Century 17' Resorter FG-68-174
www.finewoodboats.com
1947 Penn Yan 12' Cartopper WXH474611
1950 Chris-Craft 22' Sportsman U-22-1532
1957 Chris-Craft 26' Sea Skiff SK-26-515
1968 Century 17' Resorter FG-68-174
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Re: My First Wood Chris Craft (1958 15' Cavalier)(K Engine)
Unless it was a "hold over" a boat shipped in October of 1958 would be a 1959 model year. Typically model year change over was in mid to late summer (July/August).
Greg Wallace 23 Custom 22166 former Chris-Craft dealer Russells Point, Oh.
- hecticlyrelaxed
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Re: My First Wood Chris Craft (1958 15' Cavalier)(K Engine)
Here is a scan of the Hull Card I received from the Mariners Museum.Greg Wallace wrote:Unless it was a "hold over" a boat shipped in October of 1958 would be a 1959 model year. Typically model year change over was in mid to late summer (July/August).
A few things I still am trying to understand:
What year is the boat given the ship date?
What is a B.S.O. Number?
What Plant was this shipped from as I cant quite read it?
Anyone familiar with the dealer?
Any other interesting information I may want to know?
Thanks in advance for any details that can help me have a better understanding of my boat!
My First Wood Chris Craft Project / Hobby
1958 15' Chris Craft Cavalier
Engine Model K
1958 15' Chris Craft Cavalier
Engine Model K
- quitchabitchin
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Re: My First Wood Chris Craft (1958 15' Cavalier)(K Engine)
The Essential Guide lists V-15-001 to V-15-1096 from 1955-1959. I would think shipping as late as October that it would be a 1959.
FLASH1969 Chris Craft Cavalier Ski-230 HP 327Q
CCABC Board of Directors Member
CCABC Board of Directors Member
- hecticlyrelaxed
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Re: My First Wood Chris Craft (1958 15' Cavalier)(K Engine)
Looking at the title that I got with it it says 1959 on there as well. Although this is not the original title it sounds like this boat is a 1959. Thanks for helping me clarify thisquitchabitchin wrote:The Essential Guide lists V-15-001 to V-15-1096 from 1955-1959. I would think shipping as late as October that it would be a 1959.
My First Wood Chris Craft Project / Hobby
1958 15' Chris Craft Cavalier
Engine Model K
1958 15' Chris Craft Cavalier
Engine Model K
- Captain Nemo
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Re: My First Wood Chris Craft (1958 15' Cavalier)(K Engine)
I don't know what the BSO # means either. Someone will surely chime in on that. The plant looks like it says Caruthersville.
Nice looking boat , the first thing I would track down is a curved Taylor-style windshield. That would be correct for that boat.
Nice looking boat , the first thing I would track down is a curved Taylor-style windshield. That would be correct for that boat.
Boats are to be made of wood, otherwise, God would have grown fiberglass trees.
- quitchabitchin
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Re: My First Wood Chris Craft (1958 15' Cavalier)(K Engine)
The Essential Guide does note that the later models had a one piece curved windshield. The photo shows the two piece.
FLASH1969 Chris Craft Cavalier Ski-230 HP 327Q
CCABC Board of Directors Member
CCABC Board of Directors Member
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Re: My First Wood Chris Craft (1958 15' Cavalier)(K Engine)
[quote="hecticlyrelaxed"][quote="George Emmanuel"]Are you sure that is a 1958? The '58 had the white band just under the rub rail. I had a 1958 with the 60hp that I totally restored with new sides and decks. I'm trying to find a picture to post.[/quote]
George,
I have the hull card from the Maritime Museum, the boat was shipped from the factory on 10-17-1958.
It appears that someone painted the black on there at one point. I would love to see the pictures of your boat if you can find them. Can you recall what the Hull Number was?[/quote]
My hull number was V15697
George,
I have the hull card from the Maritime Museum, the boat was shipped from the factory on 10-17-1958.
It appears that someone painted the black on there at one point. I would love to see the pictures of your boat if you can find them. Can you recall what the Hull Number was?[/quote]
My hull number was V15697
Re: My First Wood Chris Craft (1958 15' Cavalier)(K Engine)
I've got the same boat with Hull #930, so it was built only about 73 boats before yours was. The Maritime Museum tells me, "Your Cavalier Utility, V-15-930, was shipped from the Caruthersville, MO plant". I'm guessing yours was built there too.
Re: My First Wood Chris Craft (1958 15' Cavalier)(K Engine)
I'm confused. Your boat has the natural mahogany sides on the hull. So many I have seen are painted all the way up on the sides like one of the other posters noted. Mine has been painted more recently but I am trying to decide if I want to strip it to wood and make it natural.
Does anyone know which is correct for a 58??
Does anyone know which is correct for a 58??
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Re: My First Wood Chris Craft (1958 15' Cavalier)(K Engine)
Correct would be varnished sides with the white band at the top. I previously had a picture of mine underway near the top of these posts but the spray prevents the entire side of the boat from being shown.
E-mail me and I'll send a scan of the original brochure: [email protected]
George
E-mail me and I'll send a scan of the original brochure: [email protected]
George
Re: My First Wood Chris Craft (1958 15' Cavalier)(K Engine)
Thanks George. The spray makes yours look like blue at the bottom. I've seen so many pictures with that area painted. Even some of the literature for the new boats........ I wonder if they did them both ways??
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Re: My First Wood Chris Craft (1958 15' Cavalier)(K Engine)
Hey All!
I believe that these Cavaliers left the factory with both the white band on the rub rail and without. I have a 1958 15' Cavalier with a K, V15970 (pictures below). My grandpa purchased it early in the 1970's from the original owner (picture from that time period below). I recently received a copy of the hull card and was hoping for more information regarding options but there was nothing regarding the white paint on the rub rail.
I began to wonder whether Cav's with the K and not the A engine were made without the white on the rub rail to distinguish them but from some of the pictures I have seen (1960 17' w/ K here: http://www.antiqueboatshop.com/recent/1 ... /index.htm) my theory is somewhat disproved. Although 15' with a K could have been made without the white band and not distinguished on a 17' because they weren't offered with an A engine, I could be wrong on that offering though.
At any rate- I am super excited to start working on my 58... I grew up on this boat and have lots of memories with her. Back in the 80's she pulled 6 grown men slalom skiing! Lots of power for a little boat!
I believe that these Cavaliers left the factory with both the white band on the rub rail and without. I have a 1958 15' Cavalier with a K, V15970 (pictures below). My grandpa purchased it early in the 1970's from the original owner (picture from that time period below). I recently received a copy of the hull card and was hoping for more information regarding options but there was nothing regarding the white paint on the rub rail.
I began to wonder whether Cav's with the K and not the A engine were made without the white on the rub rail to distinguish them but from some of the pictures I have seen (1960 17' w/ K here: http://www.antiqueboatshop.com/recent/1 ... /index.htm) my theory is somewhat disproved. Although 15' with a K could have been made without the white band and not distinguished on a 17' because they weren't offered with an A engine, I could be wrong on that offering though.
At any rate- I am super excited to start working on my 58... I grew up on this boat and have lots of memories with her. Back in the 80's she pulled 6 grown men slalom skiing! Lots of power for a little boat!
Josh Bailey
1958 15' Chris-Craft Cavalier Utility K95
1958 15' Chris-Craft Cavalier Utility K95
Re: My First Wood Chris Craft (1958 15' Cavalier)(K Engine)
Josh,
I noticed from one of the pictures that your mechanical fuel pump is missing from beside the carburetor. I guess someone replaced it with an electric fuel pump. I was just wondering how that is working for you. I still have the original mechanical fuel pump on mine and after a professional rebuild (to correct the mistakes I made) it seems to work very well.......
Hope all is progessing well and you get to see some water time before winter. I think I will dump mine in the water for a float or sink test before I sink (poor choice of words probably) too much more money into it.............
I noticed from one of the pictures that your mechanical fuel pump is missing from beside the carburetor. I guess someone replaced it with an electric fuel pump. I was just wondering how that is working for you. I still have the original mechanical fuel pump on mine and after a professional rebuild (to correct the mistakes I made) it seems to work very well.......
Hope all is progessing well and you get to see some water time before winter. I think I will dump mine in the water for a float or sink test before I sink (poor choice of words probably) too much more money into it.............
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Re: My First Wood Chris Craft (1958 15' Cavalier)(K Engine)
I would like to revise an earlier statement I had made that some of the runabout Cavaliers did not have the white band at the rub rail. After more investigation of my boat I have found that it did have white at one point but was changed. Crazy of me to think no one touched the boat from 58'-77'. That's almost 20 years, anyways I also figured out the oil pressure and ammeter gauges are not original and clearly the sides are not either. I will be going back to the original scheme for sure, much better looking. You can see in this picture where the white paint was under the rub rail I took off:
Josh Bailey
1958 15' Chris-Craft Cavalier Utility K95
1958 15' Chris-Craft Cavalier Utility K95
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