TOPIC: Looky what followed me home yesterday

Well it's a done deal. She's home and parked next tot he shed for right now. I did cover her with a tarp but that picture just isn't interesting.

Here are some pics:


Bow close up, needs some work. I do have a new bow light that came with it. I have to find the spot light. It has the whole but no light.


Came with the cushions too. Whole interior was done but not sure when.



Yep he threw in the straps also.
283 Flagship

Here's the "front" of the motor. This motor drives the transmission from the front. The flywheel drives the alternator, crazy hugh?


The bottom needs some work also. Was supposedly done in 2004 but it wasn't painted , at least not well and there's a couple of cracked planks.

Couple of more cracks.

Here is the wood he threw in for the boat. Close to enough to complete the whole boat. Well top side and sides but he didn't figure in the bottom. Can't complain it's Mahogany and the narrow deck planks are already done just need to be bedded.



Another shot of the rest of the length. It's a 5/4 8" x 14' and a 5/4 12" x 14'!


So two quick questions:
1) Do the narrow deck planks have to be the same size as the originals? The ones he gave me are about 1/2 or 3/4" narrower.

2) Where should the build plaque be? Looked all over the boat and can't find it. I'm assuming it should have been on the inside of the transom. They may have taken it off when they reidi the transom and didn't put it back on. I'll probably have to get ahold of the guy and see if he still has it, unless it's some place I didn't look.

Thanks for the help and thanks for looking.

Bob

Bob, you're going to have some fun!!! Looks good. Are you talking about the blonde planks? You want them to be all the same width for sure and you want the rest to be symetrical(sp). I don't think you'll have to change as much wood as you think. Like I mentioned before, contact Joel at antique boat center and he'll help all he can. Shoot him some pics and he will be better informed. My Owens had a plate but was unreadable. There was a no milled in the board fwd of transom and I took that to be the ser no. Again great find, have fun.

Wow, thats a sweet old boat. Is that a corvette steering wheel?

Jack

Joe,
Thanks I'll probably be calling him. I'm also going to get the "Complete Wooden Runabout Restoration" book. Looked really good and was suggested from several folks.

Jack,
Yep it sure is. I have to try and find an original one if I can. Want to make it all original if I can. Worth more that way.

Bob

Definately hook up with the Century Boat Club.

Andreas

W.W. : CONGRATS. Build sheet, serial #'s .??? All inboards should
have a HULL # stamped / recess into the two main engine stringers.
Our 47 Chris was R-16-302 for example. .From that can contact the Centry club & get factory records, like city / date of delivery.

Andreas, Definitely going to join the Century club, should be able to help me find what I need.

Split, thanks I'll look on the stringers later. I have the serial number on the title but want to make sure it matches.

Bob

get rid of the checked planks on the bottom (obviously). I would also do the same on the decks and be sure the decks are tight. Great looking boat. That 283 Owens Flagship motor should offer you years of superior service. 185 HP Bel Air set up yes? Mine were modified to produce 220 each but were still economical to run (as long as I kept the secondary carb circuits shut). Enjoy it good man!! Happy 4th

A hearty congrats to you Bob! That old girl is SWEET, can't wait to watch as you bring her back to glory.

I do not think there are any records for Century Boat like those that exist for Chris-Craft. But checking with the Century Boat Club will confirm.

Not all boats had hull IDs or serial numbers.

Andreas

Jim, thanks, yep plan on redoing the bottom, "again". Half tempted to "dry bottom" her. !/4" marine ply with the planking installed over it. Couple of places in Michigan restore the woodies this way, Chris Craft, Century, Garwood. Not sure about the Bel Air setup. It has a Quadra jet on it.

Mark, thanks, looking forward to it. Have to clear up the other projects before I can start.

Andreas, I'll have to check with the Century Club. Looked all around the motor today real quick and couldn't find anything. Did notice that she has brand new wood wedges under the engine mounts with new bolts and she's higher than original. The dog house pivots on the air cleaner bolt!

Bob

Congrats Bob.
You are a lucky man. You are going to have a beauty.
Neil

Thanks Neil, I hope I can do her the justice she deserves. "The Complete Guide to Wooden Runabout Restoration" book is on it's way LOL

Bob

nice

Nice. I second that emotion.

She's gonna be a beautiful swan when your done!

Thanks guys I hope I can do her the justice.

Bob

wow bob she sure is beautiful,i love that nose peice and keel guard,you will make it even more beautiful,i have no doubt of that!
im sorry i didnt post sooner,i just dont look much in this forum,but i will from now on,im missing alot,john

Thanks John, no problem, I know how that is. It will be a little while before I can get started on her but I didn't want to pass up the deal.

Bob

That is going to be SWEET! Nice find. I'm Jealous..

Looks like quite a find! Check the whole bottom out, framing and transom bows are the areas than go bad. The bottom planking is usually about 3/8" thick. You got a project on your hands but it looks like you're better off than a lot of others I've seen. Good luck.

Century has all the old records of their boats. The hull number will be stamped on the engine stringer, and also the lower starboard transom waterline area, outside. The engine configuration is not unusual for these boats, my Century Sabre has an AMC 327 with flywheel forward, runs like a champ. Hook up with the Century boat club, it's a free forum on Yahoo and we will all give you the best of the best in restoration. Dannenbergs books on wooden boat restoration are the bible for what you are undertaking.
Cal

Cal,
Thanks, I did get the new Complete guide from Amazon and have gotten to chapter seven already. I do have to get the other projects finished first. I'm not looking forward to flipping her over. Not that I'm afraid to do it, just not sure HOW I'm going to do it. I definitely can't do it the way Dan suggests, no room, garage is too small and shed ceiling it too low.

I've been looking for the hull number and no luck yet. I'm afraid it's under the engine wedges on the engine stringer. Probably won't find it until I pull the engine. The transom was redone when the bottom was and I'm afraid the lower board with the number was replaced.

Went to the Century club web site and was thinking I should probably join. Was thinking I should wait until I start on her?, not sure.

Bob

Q-jets are known for leakage. Do a Google search for Q-jet leak repair. Don't want your new woodie to end up as kindlin'!Waterwings wrote:

Jim, thanks, yep plan on redoing the bottom, "again". Half tempted to "dry bottom" her. !/4" marine ply with the planking installed over it. Couple of places in Michigan restore the woodies this way, Chris Craft, Century, Garwood. Not sure about the Bel Air setup. It has a Quadra jet on it.

Mark, thanks, looking forward to it. Have to clear up the other projects before I can start.

Andreas, I'll have to check with the Century Club. Looked all around the motor today real quick and couldn't find anything. Did notice that she has brand new wood wedges under the engine mounts with new bolts and she's higher than original. The dog house pivots on the air cleaner bolt!

Bob

Gary,
Thanks, as you can see from this thread I did buy the boat. I appreciate the heads up on the Q-jet. I thought I remembered something being said about the old Q-jets but couldn't remember exacty what it was.

Bob

Ok Bob, ya got me. Like they say, I have a good memory but it's short. I see I posted last month on your baby. The rumor is that anyone who looks at old boats with restoration in mind is missing a few chromozones. I can vouch for that.

No problem, yeah me too. Only 51 and already the memory seems to be taking a vacation!

Bob