1955 CC Hurricane Restoration

Gary S wrote: Thats what I thought Pete.As much as Correct Craft,Chris Craft,Higgins,etc loved boats they were in business to make money and I didn't think they could take that amount of time sanding and varnishing. I enjoy Alan's thread,I think all of us are learning something,and like all the rest of you can't wait to see and hear it when he's done.

Gary,
The same holds true with the early glass hulls. You know that having done all that work to bring your's back to show material!!

8122pbrainard wrote: The same holds true with the early glass hulls. You know that having done all that work to bring your's back to show material!!

Yes but I'm just a hobbyist I'm just thinking about the original build process and all the skilled labor that was needed.

man, the shape of that transom is just beautiful to me.

8122pbrainard wrote: Alan, Look's good from this side of my monitor - I can't see a glue line!

Yep barely visible Pete.

Question for you, would you fasten the forward spray rails with screws or bolts through the chine? I'm going to 5200 and I think some 3" screws would be fine but asking a pro first doesn't hurt.

Alan,
The screws into chines, stem or frames and the 5200 will be fine.

DrCC wrote: Enough is too much when screws begin to re-appear.

Yeah I figured that one out already But atleast I've got the technique of repairing them down pat.

DRCC wrote: I'd probably install all the spray rails before stain.

Good I've been getting answers from both sides on this one but I want to get my wood working done before I start the finish work so on they go.

81nautique wrote: Gary, I follow a few other wood boat sites and a professional shop would put 3-4 guys on a boat this size and fair and sand it in 1-2 days, start to finish. If it's 4 guys that's 64 hours and that's just about what I have into it for sanding now. In a few books about Chris Craft that I've read there are actually shop works orders that stated "Boat Show Finish" meaning the boat was going to be on display and needed extra attention to detail. So yes they were for the most part mass produced. My thinking on the finish is being a novice I don't know when enough is enough and I would rather spend more time on it now than look at it after varnish and say I should have done this or that to make it better. I'm not trying to impress anyone and I don't intend to show the boat but I want to be true to myself and know that I did my best then I'll be happy no matter how it turns out. I will probably go back and sand that transom again even though yesterday I said it was done! LOL

Interesting Alan. And for the last paragraph,I understand completely, seeing how you took care of the 81 we are in for a treat!

john b wrote: Alan, While your intent is not to impress people, you must realize that anyone who sees it will be impressed. That is a fact of exceptional craftsmanship. Personally I marvel at the skill, labor, and love that goes into a project like yours. People flock to the ACBS shows for the joy of seeing boats like yours and Pete's. I will be one of them if you decide to show it. Make peace with others admiration, it is a true sign that you have brought joy into their lives. What could be better than that.

I guess I'll rephase that statement, I'm not building it to be shown, I'm sure it will end up in a show somewhere but my intent is to drive it as much as possible. It will be at as many ccfan gatherings as possible.

Riley wrote: Alan, with all the documentation you been keeping on the restoration and the beautiful job you're doing, plus the rare boat that it is, some magazine ought to pic up on it and do an article.

I'd sure like to see that Huricane in Classic Boating! That certainly may happen since the publication is local to us.

Riley wrote: It'll be interesting to see how the folks at the ACBS like it. Maybe it'll turn them around on Correct Crafts.

I feel this has started several years ago. They have run out of Chriss's to look at! Also, My Atom has two Best Of Shows (1 judged and 1 not) as well as several Best In Class awards so they do look at other boats.

81nautique wrote: the words Correct Craft seems to draw little interest. Correct Craft did a pretty good job of earning the wood boat reputation they have so that may be tough to get around.

They haven't seen the Hurricane yet, and the TLC you've taken to restore a beautiful wooden boat. Awesome job Alan.

And how many awards did the 81 take home when you owned her?

8122pbrainard wrote:    you'd find out it's a yellow mustard on a hot dog group!

Oh no Mr. Brainard, I'm sorry to correct you but its a "Frankfurter!"

Today was another milestone, I spent the morning cleaning the garage and putting my woodworking tools away for the season. I've gotten as far as I planned with wood work and am ready to start applying some finish.

The rubrail is installed and sanded

Transom detail


Bow Detail

I also got the exhaust holes cut, I thought these were going to be a problem with the angle of the transom but it went pretty easily. I was very happy with the cross-section as you can see a full 1/16" of 5200 between the plywood and the planking. 5/8" thick hull sides and bottom is pretty darn stout.




I then fitted the forward spray rails, they need to be removed and installed properly after the sides are stained and cpes'd.


Then I went about building the rear spray rails, a bit of a challenge cutting that transom piece with just a jigsaw but it came out fine. After a test fit I taped everything off and installed with a nice bed of 5200.










Then of course I had to uncover the Motor for a photo op


later this week when the 5200 on the spray rails is cured I'm going to start bleaching the boat and stain will only be a couple of weeks away.

Alan, looks really good. Can't wait to see what happens when you start applying the varnish. It will be interesting how that will draw out the grains. Can't wait!

Yo have got to be pretty happy with that
-- the rubrail detail Pic was enough to make me drool a bit. Quite a bit of Effort, I am glad to see the boat looks to be worthy of it.

Amazing work Allen, we are going to need to create some new words to describe your over the top quality.