By Joe Roberts, Northern California/Lake Tahoe Chapter Millie or as she was known as for the first 55 plus years of her life, as just the unnamed family Chris-Craft boat. My father-in-law Ray bought her new in 1958, so the family could have a boat when they were at their lake cabin in Clearlake, California.…
IYRS, one of six accredited boat building or restoration programs supported by ACBS, is please to announce the start of a pilot program that will teach students how to restore a Chris-Craft runabout to ACBS standards. This limited-enrollment class is perfect for experienced boat builders looking to broaden their knowledge and for runabout enthusiasts looking…
By James Barrick, Blue Ridge Chapter About eight months ago, ACBS vice president, Ed Andrews, and I had a great conversation regarding the old Chris-Craft outboard motors. He asked if I was interested in bringing a couple back to life for him. Having a passion for the outboard restoration, and being a collector, I said absolutely! …
From John Seal, Publicity Chairman SML Chapter ACBS The Smith Mountain Lake Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society recently held their annual fall workshop at Bill and Sue Garrecht’s incredible shop in Huddleston, VA. The 26 members and guests in attendance learned from other local club members about 3 topics that are useful…
By Gary Cunningham, Michigan Chapter, and Mark Gelders Loon is a 1949 Hinckley 34 SW sailboat which is in the process of undergoing a complete restoration in Macatawa, Michigan at the Eldean Shipyard. She is a very unusual Hinckley sailboat because she has never been in salt water. Loon was taken directly from the Hinckley…
By Doug McQuilken, Blue Ridge Chapter I was not looking for another boat but serendipity struck! I’m browsing through Craigslist and spot a recent posting for this boat. Looked interesting but when I found that it had been donated to a local non-profit that provides wooden boat building programs to children https://lowcountrymaritimesociety.org/ , I was…
By Scott Rossley, Bay State Classic Boat Club I have always had an interest in Boston Whaler boats ever since I was in middle school. After owning many runabouts, most recently I acquired a 1957 Chris Craft Holiday and my interest in older boats began. Fast forward to my 50s when I spent more and…
By David Quirsfeld, Glacier Lakes Chapter This Thompson Sea Lancer had sat idly in a garage since 1984 until I rescued it from an estate sale in 2021. Unfortunately, the 1980s vintage 80hp Mercury outboard was sold before I learned of the Chicago area sale. With no dry rot to speak of, its overall good…
Varnishing Tips and Photos by Joel Terbrueggen When it comes to varnishing there are any number of ways to accomplish it. I do not believe one way is necessarily better than another, it all comes down to whatever technique you are most comfortable with. After sealing, I use a Scotch Brite pad or 320 grit…
Bleaching Tips and photos are by Joel Terbrueggen After stripping, sand the entire boat with 60 grit, followed by 80 grit. Now decide what area is to be bleached. Usually, it will be only the blond areas of the decks. However, it sometimes may be necessary to bleach the sides or even the whole boat…
From Mike Green, Maritime Classics, Water Wonderland Chapter We know many of you have your boat hauled into your garage for the winter. AND maybe you are even thinking about doing a little bit of touch up work on it. Others might be on year two or three of a multi-year restoration. Here are some…
Note: This is the first of several articles on marine engines written by Bill Hancock, a member of ACBS and the Sunnyland Chapter since 2007. Find the leak Recently one of our members thought he might have a leaky oil cooler. The question became; how do you test a cooler for a leak? Before we…