|
Old wooden boats
Anyone with experience of these boats, looking at a 1951 Chris Craft that's been sitting on a trailer for 6 years since purchased
|
I own a 1939 Chris Craft 19' Barrelback - biggest thing is to make sure the bottom has been replaced ( otherwise they leak or are rotted ) and then how does the overall boat look ( does it need varnish ). Honestly, I'd get someone involved who knows this stuff - they can be a real money pit.
MDS |
Originally Posted by mikesufka
(Post 4898173)
I own a 1939 Chris Craft 19' Barrelback - biggest thing is to make sure the bottom has been replaced ( otherwise they leak or are rotted ) and then how does the overall boat look ( does it need varnish ). Honestly, I'd get someone involved who knows this stuff - they can be a real money pit.
MDS |
Originally Posted by F-2 Speedy
(Post 4898175)
Thanks for the feedback, the boats looks to be restored at some point, Ill see if the owner knows
MDS |
In my teen we restored a 39 Century (Learned to ski behind it) and then a 63 Century.
If they are not kept in the water they will leak, we used to fill them with water since they were kept on a lift. I think they are some of the most beautiful boats on the water but a LOT of work. I think there is a wooden boat show coming up at LOTO soon? |
I should add, I think it's much easier to buy a fully restored boat.
Check out www.freedomboatservice.com as an example of what stuff costs. I know Dave ( the owner ). MDS |
Originally Posted by mikesufka
(Post 4898186)
If the bottom is wrecked, it's about $1500 / foot to replace it. Varnish could be tens of thousands to clean up also. Be very careful, and we haven't even talked about the motor yet.
MDS EDIT: Mike I sent you a pm |
Heres some light reading, with alotta pictures. Agree about being way up there on the looks.
serious craftsmanship and artistry involved. https://correctcraftfan.com/forum/fo...an-restoration See how nice it looks in the first few pics. |
If you`re bored I got a lot of stuff I could use help with on the NorTech:D
|
I’ve always been a fan of old Chris crafts after helping out when I was a kid rebuilding them with some old retired factories workers. A few years back I did some repairs on a really clean 1963 37 foot Chris Craft cruiser and it really woke me up to what a lot of work you can run into deep down identifying a small surface problem. This boat being a freshwater boat all its life and one owner was clean but it was rotting from the top down. Rain water penetrated the cabin top and leaked down the side of the frames and rotted areas of them. A small runabout would be far less work than a cruiser but if it was sitting out in the weather rain water is a rotting killer. If you have a heated shop and need a winter project for the next 5 years and are prepared to use the original boat as just a pattern Go for it. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...74241fb61.jpeg This is a Crazy project here. |
| All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:12 PM. |
Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.