Can anyone tell me what kind of maitenance is required on wooden boats like Chris Craft's?

Question

I am thinking of purchasing a 46' Constellation and not sure how much maitenance is required. I know that it is more than a fiberglass hull but I really like the classic lines and design. Any input would be helpful.

Answer 1

If you consider buying this boat I would definitely have the boat surveyed before you buy it to make sure you are getting a solid boat.  There are so many areas that constantly need maintanence.  It could look nice on the topside, paint, varnish, rails, windows etc but the engines could need work or the bottom could be weak.  I used to work at a yacht sales and these boats we were selling in the 70's would need work even back then when they were closer to new.  They sure are nice to rev up the engines and feel the power if you can afford the maintenance and gas.  Live aboard and consider it like maintaining a house.  It just never stops.  Keep the bilge as dry as possible.  Repair any leaks as soon as you see them.  Salt water is hard on the paint work and engine paint and fittings.   I would buy a canvas snap cover that would fit over the control/steering area to keep the rain and salt off of these areas like chrome gauges etc.  Don't forget to maintain and change the oil in the engines even if you don't run it much.  We used to run the boats in gear in the slip to keep them limbered up even if they didn't go out.  You'll need to check to see how often the wood boat should be pulled out of the water to have the bottom cleaned and painted and checked for soft spots or worms etc.  Ask a boat yard how much these costs are per foot to give you an estimate of costs to perform these necessary repairs.  I used to pull them at a boat yard and paint them myself or get help from others.  (We pulled them every two years)

Answer 2

I currently live on a '65 all wood Chris Craft Commander it's all wood. we just finished sealing the beams and we know that as soon as we are done we are gonna have to start all over again. It's 45 feet long and we are a Family of 4!! Can you believe it we live aboard as well. Keep Pluggin Its a lot of WORK!

Answer 3

constant wood maintenance. If in a warm climate like the Florida keys your dealing with the heat from the sun and powerful swelling of the wood ..varnishing almost monthly or more as the salt air and sun just eat it up. If kept up it is an awesome look and a great hobby for the right person. It is costly as teak needs constant looking after and repair. If your the type that does not have the time  have to consider hiring  someone can get up there in the costs.

Hulls that need caoking is another story  getting it out of the water man power its alot of work but alot of fun. This does not have to be done like the inside and upper level but at some point will have to be maintained.

Alot to think about barnacles and worm damage can often keep a boat out of water for quite awhile if you are the only one maintaining the boat.

Good luck and hope this helps a bit.

Answer 4

We currently have a wooden 54ft classic motor sailor and the maintenance is non stop the varnish is fuked from only last year and the paint will need doing soon again to. It seriously is non stop! Ours is in London for the winter and the doors have swollen due to the moisture in the air. We have to varnish everything with 13 coats to make it last if you dont the difference is clearly visable!

Your talking about a boat from the 60's. Depends where you want to keep it, the weather in Blighty ruins them the wether in the med is much better for wooden boats. You need to be extremely carefull with such an old boat some could be as good as the day they where built some could be rotten depends on how well they have been maintained.

Whilst in Spain a few years a go an Italian on a classic wooden yacht said he spends a million a year on maintenance but he was very rich and the boat was a work of art.

I'd defo have a survey done first too.

Ok good luck mate if you have loads of time wooden boats are good as they are reletively cheap to maintain just time consuming!

Answer 5

You are getting some great answers, both tongue in cheek and serious.

Gotta love: "the only thing that works on a wooden boat is the owner." Truth

Buy your Connie if you want a love affair, and then hire me to come and maintain the boat. It would be good to keep my busy.

Have fun, be ready to put in some time. I once took a class at the Maritime Museum at Mystic, CT. that was fun and informative.

Find a current owner and ask them some questions.

Magazines: Brass Bell: Chris Craft Owners, and Classic Boating, Wooden Boat will have some info also.

Answer 6

Harder to repair than fibreglass(Imaka).

Constant items....surface finishes(paint,varnish)

Hull condition...your life depends on it...that includes

-monitoring ribs and stringers and their condition or cracks

- monitoring planks and seams

-all fastening points for above.

-growth and underwater infestation(barnacles and ships worms)

-bildge contamination...oil can soften and rot wood...can also preserve it...why take the chance on the former.

-water leaks must be rigorously chased down.

-Deck seams and caulk and finish(again... leaks) and covering maintanance in the case of covered decks.

The list goes on.

Not for the lazy or shallow pocketted...if it sinks and you die, you'll wish you spent more time and money on maintanance.

Answer 7

There are actually advantages to wood over fibreglass.  For example, wooden boats are easier to repair if damaged, but they do require constant maintenance.  Here are two quotes that apply:  

"There is nothing quite so worth while as simply messing about in an old boat", and the second one says "Nothing works on an old boat but the owner".

The amount of work depends partly on whether you are in warm waters or colder waters.   Here are some sites that will help you figure it out.  Enjoy your wooden boat.

Answer 8

check to see what kind of wood boat is made of, then research that type of wood. be sure to check for worms. has maint. been kept up by previous owner.