68 Chris Craft

A lot of it is covered, after looking at the pics again it appears most is gray but a couple of the upright frames were painted burgandy, probably where the pannels stopped. i would have a much better idea how it went together, if I were the one who took it apart...

Since I started this project there has been much debate at to the year of this boat. Everyone I talk to starts with they quite making those in 67. Enough so that I have been seeking more info about the production that year. After talking with Jack at the Wooden Boat Shop, he was able to confirm that it was in fact a 68. I got the following from him this morning...

Hi Sean,
In 1968 Chris Craft made three models They where a 17ft. (your boat) SS Ski Boat, a 17ft. Grand Prix of which they made 50, and a 20ft. Grand Prix of which they made 35. The two Grand Prix models had mahogany decks. They made the Super Sport models from 1963 thru 1967 in 17, 18, 20 and 21 ft. models.
                                                     Jack

He also said they only made 10 of the ski boats that year.

with a little luck we will start putting on the plywood bottom layer tonight and start planking over that next week.

As of this point in time, I have only seen it in pictures! After tonight I should have some valuable experience and few less tubes of 5200 lying around...

I have not contacted the registry yet, every time i dive into the chris site it wants a membership that i just have not been in the mood to give yet.

Sean,
I've never soaked and just steamed. I don't see the logic in soaking ether. The steam is simply a means of heat transfer. It's really the heat that softens the lignums in the wood allowing it to flex. It's the reason you need to bend before it cools. Of course getting the plank on before cooling is always a problem. Maybe soaking will allow for more time. You are using the old planks correct? They should be pretty much pre bent. Steam only the end with the bend and fasten that end first. Have you been to Don's web site? Ask him the direct question in his forum.

75 stang wrote: I have not spent much time on Dons site, for whatever reason I feel a little intimidated there as a novice. I fully expect the response, "you bought the book right? Read it again." ...

That's funny you mentioned this - I was just comming back to post a warning to you. If posting the question to Don, you should include the fact that you do have his book and have read it!!! I too have noticed that he does get pissed at times. He doesn't like to hear someone doesn't have the book!

I hope you do have some extra wood. Bending wood really is a process that has a large "learning curve". Start with the simple bends it get comfortable.

The book is not specific to one brand of boat so yes it would be worth the read. I picked it up on Amizon. I think i read the bottom on the Atom is done differently but most types of construction are addressed somewhere in the book.

[QUOTE=75 stang]

Anyway she was giving me hell about rebuilding her 283 and how i better not have done anything to change the sound of the motor... QUOTE]

Now there's a CCFemale!

8122pbrainard wrote: Sean, Watch out! Jbear will want pictures of her next or has he already asked you!!!

Asked and answered...

She does like them to talk! I even put flowmasters and an H pipe on her Mustang GT

I don't know which I like more- the nice clean work area or the craftmanship on the boat. The guys around me with clean shops never seem to produce. You're making progress AND have a clean shop.
Keep the pictures coming, I'm enjoying them.

Pete, I think I cursed myself last week, I ended up stranded on the freeway the otherday and i thought about the comments i made.....its one of those i shouldve done it myself cause the knucklehead that works for us broke the plastic clip on the throttle body and didnt tell me....thank god for zipties the problem was i had to call a friend for a flashlight...it was 10 frickin degrees

nature of the beast snob, they come back from lunch with the red eye syndrome and giggling, I told them the other day if you ever get hurt here Ill make em piss test you and workers comp wont cover your a-s

Sean, besides all the whacky comments I post, I read every word and look at every picture and I have to say that your a soldier, and your project is coming along and I am learning as you go. Im still trying to figure out that contraption on the horses

I built a steam generator out of a piece of 2" pipe with a 220 volt water heater element in it. That is a Danenburg design, i added a livestock self filling watering device to keep the water level up. I took a 12" pvc pipe and fit it over the top of the generator to trap the steam. You put the boards in the tube to keep them warm, it also doubles as a humidifier and heater inthe shop...

I think i can use the wood pipe stand for an old skool wakeboard tower when I'm done!

Im getting the beer and 5200 around today while I seal everything with the CPES so we can install the bottom tomorrow. More pictures coming.

I'm learing to tig weld this morning, building a custom dry sump oil tank for another project then back to the wood. Id still rather weld any day than work with wood...

Im off to caulk the bottom, pictures will follow tonight or tomorrow if its late...

made me think of this skit from SNL...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ag6ZLSW_dD8