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1963 46' Chris Craft Constellation

Discussion in 'Chris Craft Connies, Commanders & Catalinas' started by john LoBosco, Sep 5, 2015.

  1. john LoBosco

    john LoBosco New Member

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    Hi all, I'm brand new to Yacht Forums as well as wooden boats. I recently aquired a 1963 46 ' Chris Craft Constellation and am looking to get started with renovating her.I have contacted a couple of surveyors in my area but haven't had much luck with an evaluation.
    I live in Kansas City and would appreciate any advice to get me on the right track.Any correspondence or literature that can help would be greatly appreciated.Thanks.John.
  2. dsharp

    dsharp Senior Member

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    Did you haul the boat out and look the bottom over? Look for soft spots where the struts and rudders are attached to the hull. Keep the bilge as dry as possible.
  3. john LoBosco

    john LoBosco New Member

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    Yes, the boat is drydocked,
    There are 2 or 3 soft spots about the hull but overall it is very sound.There are no leaks that are visible from the inside .It will need to be repainted .
    The vessel had been completely redone in 2009 , repainted and engines overhauled.
    I'm just not sure how to proceed with the bottom work , also the canopy has been removed for transport , it looks like it is canvas and paint.
    Do you know of any resources that give a detailed ,step by step outline on how to proceed?
    Thanks.John.
  4. dsharp

    dsharp Senior Member

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    I don't know of any, but I haven't looked very hard. If you can post some pictures it would help. People that know how to repair wooden boats are getting hard to find. Most learned the trade from a father or other relative. I don't know if the larger Chris Craft's were double planked or not. Some had a layer of plywood, then canvas, then the bottom plank. You need to get it back in the water asap if it's been out for a while. There were several books published about the company and the boats that may help.
  5. john LoBosco

    john LoBosco New Member

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    I believe it is double planked from a few things I've read and the year.You are correct about the lack of knowledgeable artisans, I haven't been able to locate anyone with much experience.
    What is the downside to leaving it out of the water?
  6. dsharp

    dsharp Senior Member

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    The wood shrinks and all of the seams open up. The boat really needs to be blocked about every 6' along the keel and the chines. The bottom will swell back when it hits the water.
  7. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    It may take a weekend in the slings. Anybody splashing an older wood boat should always schedule with the yard many hours or the weekend in the slings before getting cast off.
    I remember a splash we kept a trash pump running for a day till the planks got wet. Tight as a drum by weeks end. dry as a fridge a month later. This after on the hill for only a few months.
    If anybody works with a yard that is familiar with ole woodies, this may be automatic.
  8. john LoBosco

    john LoBosco New Member

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    I guess I'll have to put more blocking down, I have them set about every 10'
    I am going to start sanding the hull in the next few weeks do that I can get a better idea of what needs to be replaced.
  9. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Do you have some old school (wood boat) guys around you? Blocking on frames and supports are important. Even pressure. Straight line the keel and have wedges available to tap in lil at a time (days&weeks) to get the keel straight if it has settled any. Flooding the bilge with a salt brine may help if it's getting real dry down there.
    Not sure if your hull uses packing between planks; here is where that old school guy will help. NO synthetics.

    Easy on your sanding. Some wood may still have the original treatment on it.

    We like to watch. Send pictures.
    ,rc
  10. john LoBosco

    john LoBosco New Member

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    Thanks for the info. As of right now I don't have or even know anyone that has any experience with wood boats.
    I am asking around but so far no luck.
    It is sitting pretty level right now but I think with the rain it is settling a bit. Do I need to lower the chine blocks a bit to take some of the weight off?
  11. john LoBosco

    john LoBosco New Member

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    I will start taking some pics and posting my progress.
  12. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Let the yard look over the stands and move them if required. Do you see any distortion in the hull or keel from the blocks or stands?
    Rain? washing the ground away or filling the hull? Rain water will rot wood. Make sure any rain water is draining correctly away from windows, trim and hatches.
    How long has she been out of the water?
  13. john LoBosco

    john LoBosco New Member

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    It is in my yard at my whse so there is no one to look at it.It looks straight and level, no distortion that I can see.Its not taking on any water inside I've put some wicking strip on the deck to keep the low spots dry.
  14. dsharp

    dsharp Senior Member

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    I don't think those planks are caulked with cotton like a conventional hull. I think it has a diagonal layer of plywood then a layer of canvas bedded in white lead, then planked fore and aft. Wooden boats were on the decline when I started working on boats. My Dad could have answered all the questions but he had a mild stroke in March at 95 years of age. Before that he could rattle off prop sizes on boats that he re-powered 40 years ago.
  15. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Ah, An old Bull Nose.
  16. john LoBosco

    john LoBosco New Member

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    I have been doing a little work on my 1963 46' Connie and am considering an engine refit, can anyone tell me what options I have as far as motors , sizes and other info, Thx.John.
  17. Jaywally

    Jaywally New Member

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    Hi! I am new to this forum too. Hope you have found the assistance needed on your boat project. Curious as to how things have gone for you over the past few years.
    I have the same boat now and am looking for the layout drawings that came originally with the boat. Do you have or know who might have these? I need to submit a side view layout and top view to the city for a new permit. Just curious as to where I might find them. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
    Cheers! Happy boating!