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Largest Chris Craft Forum???

Discussion in 'Chris Craft Roamer Yacht' started by 92GTA, Aug 25, 2006.

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  1. 92GTA

    92GTA Member

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    I just bought a 1961 30' Chris Craft 6 sleeper cabin cruiser (Commander, I think?) to restore and I have a TON of questions to ask and want even more information to read about.

    Can someone here please refer me to what is the largest, most frequented CC forum on the internet for me to check out? No offense but this forum is VERY slow in terms of posts and responses. (Maybe I'm too used to auto boards?)

    In addition, even after a long Google search, I can't find site with detailed model specifications for the 1961 models. Any ideas where these sites are hiding at?

    Thanks!

    Alex
  2. 92GTA

    92GTA Member

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    Lol, guess I can't edit a post after a certain amount of time...

    Anyway, it's a wooden model. I'm still trying to figure out if it's a Commander or a Constellation. It looks likes kinda like this pic: http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/a...525-roamer-pic-100_1696small.jpg?d=1150082802
    But mine looks a little longer and has allot more cabin space I think. Also how is a Constellation "Connie" different from a Constellation?

    I really want to find complete specifications and plans including plumbing and electrical. Also what are they worth? This is a 2 owner boat. The original owner sold it to the guys I bought it from in 1989 and he simple stored it and partially restored it back to original. I just bought it from him. It's a 99% complete original even down to all the original anchors and rigging. Time of course has taken it's tole. 1 of the original V8's has been rebuilt and has 0 hrs but needs the cooling system reinstalled.

    I'm going to refinish the hull in terms of using a belt sander and the correct paint. Then I'm going to look into how to repack the rudder and propeller shafts so I can get her in the water ASAP. From there I'm going to be living on her and slowly restore every tiny detail.

    Any information is more than welcome! Thanks!

    EDIT!!! I've attached an actual picture of my CC. Please tell me what it is, lol! Thanks! Alex
    P.S. Sorry for the horrible quality, I'll have real pictures Sunday night or Monday when I pick the boat up and seal the deal.

    No matter how many Google image searches I do on all different CC models, none of the pictures I find anywhere match my boat. For example, the wrap around front windshield, the curve of the aft side window on it's rear, the upper cockpit shape/frame, etc. Heck, the more I look at the picture, I'm not even sure any more if it's a wooden hull, lol. I'll guess I'll find out everything for sure Sunday when I go to inspect it and purchase it.

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Aug 26, 2006
  3. Yana

    Yana New Member

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    Metallica

    I think the reason the responses are slow for you here is that, as our fearless leader often putz it, we are Roamer owners, therefore "we are metal heads". Good luck with your search, I am sure someone will post a suggestion where you can go, but I've only really hung here and on Eric's old yahoo site, also devoted to metal hulled Chris Crafts.
  4. 92GTA

    92GTA Member

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    When I said slow I was going by post dates and times in different forums, not so much responses to me. I had made this post the other Chris Craft forum but it was moved here.
  5. artwork

    artwork Member

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    IS it Plywood?

    I presume you read Chris Craft on some major component of the boat to determine the make. Since 'copy cat' boats were not outlawed in the 1960's, it is remotely possible that the boat is not a CC.

    If the engines or some other main component identify it as a CC, and it is plywood as the picture seems. The boat is a Chris Craft Cavalier. This was CC's 'entry level' cruiser. The curved wind shild indicates early 60's my guess 61 -63. I could be wrong (I've slept since then- lol). We had several huge CC dealers on the east side of Michigan (CC was in Algonac at the time) and these plywood boats were everywhere.

    Other 'look-alike' makes (legitamate companies - looked like a CC to the average joe) were Broadwater and Owens. But your pic looks like the original CC.

    Art (just a 'wood guy' converting to metal).
  6. 92GTA

    92GTA Member

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    Yup, checked it out today. It's indeed plywood so it is a Chris Craft Cavalier. I got the Hull # off the CC plate on the engine compartment door.
  7. artwork

    artwork Member

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    Refinishing that plywood

    Unless you are an absolute pro with that beltsander, leave it in the garage. This boat was built with a marine grade plywood which has a thick paper coatig on the exterior. The paper made an excellent 'finishing surface', but if you grind into it or through it looking for wood, you will add a life-time of work to your project. Bare wood will require surface sanding, sealing, more sanding, priming, more sanding, (oops, the grain still shows thru), more sanding, re- sealing, sanding, priming, sanding, finish coating. Getting the picture? Leave the paper there if it has not failed in some way. If the existing paint coating has good adhesion, leave it and sand smooth with a DA sander. areas that have flaking, pealing, etc need to be sanded more thuroughly and feathered in. Try to stop sanding at the original primer. If you sand deep enough to touch the paper, it will first show up as fine hairs (sand a piece of good corrogated cardboard and you'll see the effect). Good luck with your project.

    Google 'wood boat restoration' for advice. There is nothing unique to refinishing a CC verses any other quality wood boat. Also, the interior will be mostly venier - so again, leave that belt sander in the garage. If you sand deeper than 1/32 of an inch, you will regret it.
  8. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    Wise words and very good sound advice from Artwork.
  9. 92GTA

    92GTA Member

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    Thanks for the advice. The boat however is already partially restored and has already been sanded down to the wood.

    I know is going to be involved and am willing to put the time and effort into it.

    I am however at a loss for knowing where to buy the supplies needed such as the paint, sealer, primer, etc. but I'm looking into it right now.

    Thanks.

    BTW, yes I am a pro with a belt sander from doing MANY wooden floors however looking at this hull in it's current condition, a belt sander will be too agressive for it's current state.

    EDIT: Hmm, that brings up a good point, when can one obtain this "paper" that covered the plywood hull?
  10. artwork

    artwork Member

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    paper on plywood

    I have to presume the paper was pressed onto the plywood during the manufacturing process. This product was also used in the sign industry. I cannot imagine a method of re-applying a surface material like that (other than fiberglas cloth and resin, of course).

    As far as the paint, any marine store will sell all the supplies (should be 'on sale' this time of year). If you are looking to save a buck, the thinners, cleaners, and tools are pretty standard with home or commercial products. But Marine paint typically has higher 'solids' ratios to protect from intense UV. It is actually a higher quality product and of course lower production amounts always equate to higher prices. A wood boat forum may offer some alternative suppliers.
  11. wally erickson

    wally erickson New Member

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    West Marine in San Diego will take as much money as you can supply with a smile on their faces, 619 225 8844. Frost hardwood will supply the paper plywood called MDO and any other boat building wood you might need, 619 455 9060.
    That boat is a bit on the big side to trailer from where ever your are to the coast every time you want to hit the whale’s road for a day of sun and spray. Slips are extremely hard to get here and if you can find one, cost a fortune. Think twice before you commit the old man to a wealth transfer to the coast. A smaller glass boat would be safer out on the open ocean and you could still pour tones of money and time into it to your hearts content. The thought of an old dried out plywood boat that was designed to last ten years scares the hell out of me. Even when it was new, they weren’t very sea worthy in any kind of blow, to dammed light. You need a Roamer.
    Wally Erickson
    San Diego
  12. alloyed2sea

    alloyed2sea Moderator

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    To tell the truth....

    ..., if it not too late - what Wally said.
    Yikes!
    :eek:
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