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Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

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High Seas
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Re: Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

Post by High Seas » Tue May 13, 2014 12:15 am

Now we start with the bow rebuild, the first pic is from before we started work, please return to this pic every time you shudder as work goes on.... Remember that beauty is only skin deep.......
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2012-03-23 19.23.22.jpg
High Seas the day before rebuilding bow

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tkhersom
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Re: Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

Post by tkhersom » Tue May 13, 2014 6:46 am

OH BOY!

Sounds like this is going to be a traumatic thread. :cry:
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
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1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
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whamm511
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Re: Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

Post by whamm511 » Tue May 13, 2014 7:44 am

What is the apparatus that runs along both sides of the rafters with something extending downward every couple of feet? Is it a sprinkler/fire suppression system?
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: Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

Post by High Seas » Thu May 15, 2014 2:10 am

That's the rails and hardware, we lifted both sides up as a single piece using 4 bike lifts per side. Also pulled the bow piece same way. In the pics to follow you will see a better angle. Hindsight being 20/20 I would have zip tied 2 X 4's to the rails before lifting to add strength and not break at the joints like they did...... Here is a pic from before work started to give you a little "SIZE" perspective. The dinghy on the bow is our 11' Avon......
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IMG_0594.JPG
High Seas CCR 2011

High Seas
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Re: Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

Post by High Seas » Thu May 15, 2014 2:15 am

It was a treat to actually get snow, so before we get started on boat destruction we needed to build a demented snowman in the parking lot for good luck......
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2012-01-17 18.23.12.jpg
Demented snowman 2012

High Seas
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Re: Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

Post by High Seas » Thu May 15, 2014 2:22 am

This is a pic taken the night before showing the boat after lifting the rails and hardware off. Next is to remove the anchor pulpit. Buy the way, it was removed and then reinstalled by the previous MORON with 6" galvanized bolts and tub caulk, thats what caused the bow and stem to rot through....
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2012-01-26 20.45.45.jpg
Sans rails and stanchions before destruction starts

High Seas
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Re: Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

Post by High Seas » Thu May 15, 2014 2:27 am

Next we tied her up tight in the well with 40' spring lines running midships cleat, fore and aft to stop any movement and then built a platform around the bow within 2" of the hull. In this pic we had already pulled the S.S. trim and found a few extra holes and missing plugs.
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2012-03-24 14.05.37.jpg
Bow framing

High Seas
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Re: Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

Post by High Seas » Thu May 15, 2014 2:31 am

Then layed plywood and 3 layers of plastic down and used blue tape on each layer to the hull for easy cleanup. See the spots of missing paint on the Portside just below the cap edge? Just wait, this is gonna get ugly quick................. Stay tuned for more......
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2012-03-24 17.36.20.jpg
Plywood down

High Seas
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Re: Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

Post by High Seas » Thu May 15, 2014 4:50 am

We now have 5 coats of Teak Oil in 5 years and it is still holding up. Never the less, we are in a boathouse year round and the sun only affects it when out cruising in the summer. We only put 100 hours a year on the engines, but usually spend 30 days in the summer at anchor in Andrews Bay, so the decks do get a lot of sun.

High Seas
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Re: Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

Post by High Seas » Fri May 16, 2014 1:09 am

Carnage day 1. I did this with a torch trying to remove just the paint and proceeded to catch the dry rot on fire and burned completely through the planks. Zoom in on the bow and you can see through to the rotted stem. Anyone interested yet? More carnage to come...............
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2012-03-24 20.18.38.jpg
Carnage day 1

High Seas
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Re: Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

Post by High Seas » Fri May 16, 2014 1:14 am

This is a closeup pic of the bow after burning the paint off with the weed burner, note the bronze screws and the apparent lack of structural wood. What was holding this boat together? :oops: This only took about 30 seconds............. And yes those planks are 6" each, so 8 planks equals 48" of rot? More to come.
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2012-03-24 20.18.54.jpg
Closeup day 1

High Seas
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Re: Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

Post by High Seas » Fri May 16, 2014 1:23 am

Another closeup.
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2012-03-24 20.19.18.jpg
Closeup 2

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whamm511
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Re: Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

Post by whamm511 » Fri May 16, 2014 3:14 am

A heat gun is much safer than a torch. But neither should be used if there is Lead Based paint present.
Bill Hammond
1960 36' Connie
Flint/Port Huron, MI
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Re: Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

Post by joanroy » Fri May 16, 2014 4:06 am

That's the craziest paint removal technique I've ever seen! I don't think I would have the nerve to try it, but I like it. Certainly makes quick work of it. Is the hull rot just in the bow?

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tkhersom
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Re: Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

Post by tkhersom » Fri May 16, 2014 6:49 am

High Seas wrote: What was holding this boat together? :oops:
I am thinking it was the paint that you BURNED off. :shock:
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: Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

Post by High Seas » Sat May 17, 2014 1:01 am

tkhersom wrote:
High Seas wrote: What was holding this boat together? :oops:
I am thinking it was the paint that you BURNED off. :shock:
Probably right! :roll: We are learning the hard way, BOATT: Break Out Another Ten Thousand....

High Seas
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Re: Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

Post by High Seas » Sun May 18, 2014 2:07 am

We continue to open up the bow and search for rot. Please comment as we proceed! I need ideas and insight from people that are experienced in doing this work.... Am I alone out here?
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2012-04-03 21.07.47.jpg
Carnage Day 2

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tkhersom
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Re: Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

Post by tkhersom » Sun May 18, 2014 7:01 am

High Seas wrote:We continue to open up the bow and search for rot. Please comment as we proceed! I need ideas and insight from people that are experienced in doing this work.... Am I alone out here?
You are not alone! Just a lot deeper than I can comment on.

I am pulling for you though. That is a GREAT looking boat! :mrgreen:

PS: I am amazed you are doing this while in the water. :shock:
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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tkhersom
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Re: Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

Post by tkhersom » Sun May 18, 2014 7:17 am

If you have not found this thread you may wish to take the time and read through it.

http://www.chris-craft.org/discussion/v ... =45&t=7914

No you are definitely not alone :!:
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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Re: Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

Post by joanroy » Sun May 18, 2014 7:49 am

Salt water cruiser tend to rot from the top down. Rain water gets in and sits and does its thing. Your rot is bad , but not a disaster.
I'd remove the paint a couple of feet from the whole stem. Break back the top three planks to the second rib and the fourth and fifth to the first rib. Cut the rot out of the stem to this point and make a six inch scarf cut joint at the same time. Using whatever left of the piece removed, form a Dutchman with a opposite six inch scarf. Leave the new piece proud. Epoxy and joint the new formed stem piece and thru bolt with bronze bolts slightly countersunk. Fair the new stem piece into the old with a grinder and finish with a sander. Sister ribs at fastening points and replace removed planks. Red lead prime the repaired area and finish paint. Figure out where the deck leaks and fix.

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whamm511
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Re: Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

Post by whamm511 » Sun May 18, 2014 12:12 pm

No Baking Needed!
Bill Hammond
1960 36' Connie
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High Seas
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Re: Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

Post by High Seas » Wed May 28, 2014 2:03 am

More rot found...... Please make the bad man stop! We will keep poking until we find good wood.
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2012-04-04 21.47.48.jpg
Carnage Day 3
Last edited by High Seas on Sat May 31, 2014 2:18 am, edited 2 times in total.

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whamm511
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Re: Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

Post by whamm511 » Wed May 28, 2014 9:05 am

image.jpg
Damage at Bow of Pizzazz
Better to find it and get rid of it! Remember Pizzazz!
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: Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

Post by High Seas » Wed May 28, 2014 11:42 pm

whamm511 wrote:
image.jpg
Better to find it and get rid of it! Remember Pizzazz!
Luckily our boat did not have the bow docking lights, I would have removed them if it did. With a boat this big, do you really need lights to know where the dock is? :D

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Re: Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

Post by High Seas » Wed May 28, 2014 11:53 pm

Yes the rot continues, more to come, are we ready to sink the last 65' flush deck in the world? I DON'T THINK SO! Repairs will go on... And we will not let the rot god take us......... Hopefully in the end. I just got done with the 44' and it was worse than mine.....
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IMG_2006.JPG
Carnage day 4
Last edited by High Seas on Fri May 30, 2014 12:44 am, edited 1 time in total.

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tkhersom
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Re: Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

Post by tkhersom » Thu May 29, 2014 4:45 am

High Seas wrote:
whamm511 wrote:
image.jpg
Better to find it and get rid of it! Remember Pizzazz!
Luckily our boat did not have the bow docking lights, I would have removed them if it did. With a boat this big, do you really need lights to know where the dock is? :D
I have seen people try to use them like headlights. :shock:

Drives me crazy. Yes Doug P. I know that would be a very short trip. :lol:
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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Doug P
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Re: Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

Post by Doug P » Thu May 29, 2014 9:24 am

:D[/quote]

I have seen people try to use them like headlights. :shock:

[/quote]


Those are directional signals that most people never use any way :roll:

High Seas
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Re: Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

Post by High Seas » Sat May 31, 2014 2:24 am

At this point, shoot me now! 3 feet of the stem came out, along with 4 frames down the port side and we are still not done yet..... At least we are still floating! Good pun because we put 6,000 fasteners in the hull below the waterline in the bow 4 years ago during haul out.
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531262_427320170617327_1635664341_s.jpg
Carnage Day 5
531262_427320170617327_1635664341_s.jpg (4.57 KiB) Viewed 4454 times

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tkhersom
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Re: Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

Post by tkhersom » Sat May 31, 2014 5:11 am

I am just hoping there is no more carnage!
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: Restoration of a 1964 65' Constellation

Post by High Seas » Mon Jun 02, 2014 12:39 am

Me too...

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