My boats name is "Laura",

by Bill Di Carlo
(Cape Coral Florida)

I recently purchased a 1963 Chris Craft Constellation 42 .

I purchased it in Miami Florida and had to get it home to Cape Coral Florida, the problem is its over 200 miles away.

So I motored it along the Intra Coastal waterway.

Now thats its here at my home I would love to get started and do some long overdue repairs to the gunwale area on the Starboard side.

The boat is sound with a favorable survey, but it needs some TLC.

Most of the work Im going to start on is concentrated at the area where the power cord is plugged it , at the gunwale.

Can someone tell me what type of wood is acceptable on performing this repair?

I was thinking a marine grade ply coated with epoxy and then painted.

I dont want to, nor can I afford a full blown restoration, but rather a sprucing up of some of the rotted wood at that area.

I will remove as much as possible and refit a new piece approx 12 X 12 there and then I will need to also rip a new piece at the bump rail which was damaged on a piling, approx 3 ft long about the last plank of the hull,

I will post some pictures as my work progresses and would appreciate any and all suggestions
thanks in advance.

Bill

Comments for My boats name is "Laura",

Click here to add your own comments

Apr 22, 2014
 mercedes
by: joe

Bill, please call joe
Marine shop next to old store has my number
Mar 04, 2014
 started work
by: Anonymous

So far I've just been doing some minor body work, using body fiberglass filler at non structural areas, such as around the shore power plug etc,

I have not found any stuctural issues as of yet, and I dont plan to,,lol.

There is also a section of rub rail on my starboard side which is missing due to some storm damage, approx 7 ft, of it.

I m going to look for a piece of mahog, I just purchased the stainless trim that goes over it.

Another goal I have is to stop most of the leaks when it rains,,,I know this is almost an impossibility but am going to give it a shot.

The decks need sanding and re finishing as well.
Mar 02, 2014
 1963 - 42' Constellation "Past Time" (is our boat name)
by: Bobby & Linda

Hay Bill we live aboard one of our boats, in Tennessee.

We have been restoring the verry same boat, how neat.

We would love to help you out with any advice.

We Love wood boats.

On the part that you are asking about replacing, if you want to stay as orgional as possible it is best to replace with mahogany.

You will pay about the same price as marine plywood, we bought a Mahogany board 3/4" X 14"W X14' Long for $100.00.

Hope to hear from you, we have been working on PAST TIME now off an on for 2 years..
Feb 27, 2014
 wood repairs
by: paul

Marine grade plywood is good

Most common areas to check for rot and repair are the chines where the bottom of the boat attaches to the sides.

My 67 Trojan is under going that fix this winter.

Not to costly if corrected before rot spreads.

Paul

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Your Wooden Boat Projects...

Want to add more photos?

Photo Uploader

If you are having problems uploading Photos or would like to add more click on this link for the Upload Form.