by Gary & Darlene Millpointer members of the Glacier Lakes chapter
Purchased in 2013 from Delavan Lake Boat Shed as a project boat. It was a 1st for me in a boat restoration, as cars were my past experience.
Project work started with a fully sandblasted trailer and all bung supports replaced with new steel & rewelded, bow winch support, new treated bung boards/carpeting, and customizing of trailer. Next on the list was encasing the boat in 2 – 8 ft. plywood wheels so the boat could be inverted. After rotation it was placed on a full size skid outside on rollers as the snowflakes came down. Bottom tear down, 10 lower bottom ribs were dry rotted & cracked. Replaced with white oak, fasteners upgraded to silicon bronze bolts & screws.
New Okoume marine plywood installed on the bottom with Philippine half inch mahogany laid in 30+ tubes of 3M silicone caulk. Planks needed bending and were heated using a turkey fryer as the steam source. A galvanized funnel attached & inverted to funnel the steam through a radiator tube to an 8′ insulated wood box. Each plank steamed took 2 hours for the box to meet proper internal temps, then another 2+ hours for pretreated 24 hour soaked planks to accept steam and bending.
Side planking was replaced below the water line in ⅜ inch mahogany. Transom , 2 side upper bow & 2 deck planks also. Balance of sides are original. Finish was done in 2 coats of sealer, 16 coats of varnish. The MCL motor cylinder wall stitch welded, & welding of exhaust manifold. Block was then rebuilt by a local machine shop. Stainless steel hardware used in various areas of block, & flywheel guarding. Updraft carbs, 6 volt generator & starter rebuilt. A new engine cover was fabricated with mahogany rail and graphics added.
The stock ⅓ length dash, replaced with a full width dash & center glove box. All instrumentation was rebuilt with new switches & wiring. Changes made were external graphics, black deck expansion deck joints, black waterline & steering wheel. Numerous vintage parts were added. Brightwork was polished or rechromed. Interior seats upholstered in a tan marine vinyl. Contractor work performed on interior and motor timing setup thru Custom Boat Service.
This was a 6 year project that was worked on during the winter months. Completion was done last year with its 1st launching on Okauchee Lake. My wife Darlene named the boat “ Once Again” because after 63 years, once again it was back in the water. Lake Geneva is our favorite boat show to attend.
