1977 Chris Craft Catalina 25' restore

[Ponderosa]

Long story, I'll try to make it short.

I was driving down a back road about a month ago and spotted this boat in the weeds. I made a mental note to stop the next time I came through. Well the next time I went through the weeds had been cut and a "for sale" sign had been posted. The asking price was $2000.00 OBO, so I called. Talked the guy down to $1200.00 over the phone but made no deal just agreed to meet the next day.

The next day came and off I went to wheel and deal. Ended up getting the boat for $1000.00 the only kicker was he didn't have a clear title, he never transfered ownership. And it had been seven years since he purchased from the previous owner. So after calling the authorities and trying every way I could to get this thing legal and couldn't I was reduced to parting it out to recoupe my money. But thats not the end of the story.

I got to looking at all the paperwork inside the boat and found some old 2004 Coast Guard paperwork. And on that paperwork I found a phone number. So I called it hoping it was the number of the previous owner. And guess what? It was, so called and explained the situation and asked him if he would sign the "bill fo sale" over to me so I could make the boat legal. And he said he would and he did.

On top of that I went back home immediately afterwards to see if I could start the motor a 305K. So I removed the distributor primer the oil pump with a drill and ground down paddle bit. Replaced the distributor. Connected my portable gas tank to the fuel pump. Stuck the intake hose in a 5 gallon bucket and turned on the garden hose. Oh yeah I took a battery out of the old ladies car too. I couldn't believe it but it started on the second try. Runs smooth as glass.

This never happens to me.

I've started to restore and will post pictures

 

[goboating]

Re: 1977 Chris Craft Catalina 25' restore

The man on the field holds up both hands and says...ITS GOOD!!!!!!!!!Touchdown!!!!! Congratulations, I'll start off by wondering what the inside looks like(deck, stringers)? I'm also glad the PO was cool with signing the title after so long. Lots of members here with advice. We'll give you all we can but we are visually oriented. Pictures and lots of them. Or better yet how about a video? Welcome to the club!!!!!!!

 

[Ponderosa]

Re: 1977 Chris Craft Catalina 25' restore

I've replaced sparks, dis cap, wires, points and rotor and it runs great. One problem though, my oil pressure when I originally fired it up was around 38 psi at idle. Now it is around 10 to 20. The gauge seems to be ok. Any ideas?

 

[island mike]

Re: 1977 Chris Craft Catalina 25' restore

pics please

 

[Ponderosa]

Re: 1977 Chris Craft Catalina 25' restore

Found the prob leak in oil line to the filter

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: 1977 Chris Craft Catalina 25' restore

This record has already been played,but PICS PLEASE!

 

[rrumba]

Re: 1977 Chris Craft Catalina 25' restore

^^^^^what they said, interested in what she looks like.

 

[Ponderosa]

Re: 1977 Chris Craft Catalina 25' restore

I'll get some pics up today.

 

[proshadetree]

Re: 1977 Chris Craft Catalina 25' restore

Hello neighbor TN here. Where do you boat? Dale hollow is nice water if you get that far down. Lets see your pride and joy. Are you going to dock her or let her be a trailer boat. I dock my 25 foot century too big to pull around all the time. Welcome to the madness.

 

[Ponderosa]

Re: 1977 Chris Craft Catalina 25' restore

The first pictures are the condition when I got it home and cleaned it up. The dash was made from a piece of white 3/16" plastic I dug out of the trash at work. It also has a new coat of paint. The inside is gutted right now.







View attachment 121071View attachment 121072View attachment 121073View attachment 121074View attachment 121075

 

[Ponderosa]

Re: 1977 Chris Craft Catalina 25' restore

proshadetree

I will have it on Taylorsville Lake just outside of Taylorsville Ky this next spring. Here are some pics after the new paintView attachment 121077View attachment 121078View attachment 121079

 

[erwinner]

Re: 1977 Chris Craft Catalina 25' restore

Your pics didn't load correctly. Here's Woodonglass's thread on posting pics. It's kinda a PITA, but I'd sure like to see them!
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=410147

 

[Ponderosa]

Re: 1977 Chris Craft Catalina 25' restore

Heres what it looked like when I brought it home and cleaned the dirt away.

 

[Ponderosa]

Re: 1977 Chris Craft Catalina 25' restore

Here is the progress so far. A coat of paint and a new dash made from a piece of 3/16" plastic board I dug out of the garbage a work. Gutted the interior also and will be working on it over the fall and winter. I've replaced the plugs, distributor, rotor points and coil. I bought some inexpensive instruments to get it on the water until I can afford better.Runs smooth. Total cost so far including original purchase about $1500.00.

 

[Pmccraney]

Re: 1977 Chris Craft Catalina 25' restore

Cool boat. Thanks for sharing your find with us. A lot of good folks on here to help if you need any along the way. Always good to see another chris craft getting restored. Best of luck.

 

[proshadetree]

Re: 1977 Chris Craft Catalina 25' restore

Love the lines on her. Have you checked it for rot? cant wait for updates.

 

[Ponderosa]

Re: 1977 Chris Craft Catalina 25' restore

Yeah, there's an area on the stringer below the frig that's a little soft. Should be an easy fix.

 

[Ponderosa]

Re: 1977 Chris Craft Catalina 25' restore

Well I finally had some time and money to put into her. I found an original top frame with canvas but the owner didn't want to sell. Purchased some seats and hardware today at BP. This weekend I'll be putting on the deck rails. Looking good so far. I'll post pics sometime next week.

 

[Ponderosa]

Re: 1977 Chris Craft Catalina 25' restore

Took it out for the first time yesterday. There is still a small oil leak that is troublesome. I'll be tracking that down this weekend. Also had to adjust the trans linkage while on the water. Other than that everything went extremely well.

There is also a vibration at cruising speed, I'm assuming the prop needs some work.

I'm happy so far.

 

[Ponderosa]

Re: 1977 Chris Craft Catalina 25' restore

I been trying to determine if this boat had a fuel level sensor. I found one thread that says they did not come with a sensor and that you can't stick the tank. That seems odd that this size boat doesn't have a way of knowing how much fuel is on board. I've looked as much as I can at the tank but I don't see any way to monitor fuel levels.