1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

[chriscraft254]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

Here are some pics from this season, enjoying all the new upgrades for sure. Now if I could just figure out how to get free fuel.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

Thankyou, I love her! Perfect for me anyway

Chris, she is a beauty!

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

Here is some more pics of the boat " lit-up" at night. I am really happy with the under water lights. They look great under way and shining under the platform while at rest. These pics were taken after a good flood here on the river, so the water is very murky. The underwater lights don't look all that bright because of the water clarity. Love the look of all the lights I added together. The led step lights have been great to, no more guessing where your stepping,lol

 

[rowlex]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

i am so jealous of your rig!!

think i am going to try to find a set of those LED's for mine now

 

[Luhrs28]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

Man that thing is totally pimped out! I love it!

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

Thanks man, You can find the lights xtremeled.com. Rob is good to deal with. These are rgb lights, you will need a rgb controller if you want the different color changes.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

Thankyou sir.

 

[MarkySparky]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

Chriscraft254, I am so jealous! That's a beautiful restoration project! I just got some great ideas for my own 1988 ChrisCraft 205BR project! I especially like those lights and extra storage lockers! I was looking for some interior lights like that and have bookmarked the supplier you mentioned! As a retired Navy guy, I can appreciate the switchable colors too! Thank you for the inspiration and ideas for my own project!

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

Markysparky, Man, just saw your message, thanks for all the complements. I definately have a passion for my boat, the better she looks and operates for my use the better. I like things to be organized being a former Marine myself,lol Squared away you might say,lol. Anyway I am glad I was able to give you some ideas, good luck on your project!

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

Installed another switch panel for some of the new items that have been installed, matches the one I installed before but is only a 3 switch. Its nice to have all the stuff that I installed seperated from what was existing, this way if there is an issue, I know right where to go to find the problem. Also installed a step ladder on the back teak platform. Thats been great for swimming, sometimes I even stand on the swim platform while fishing.

Cut out -

Finished with the helm finally other than the two little holes under the switch panel!

Added some red/white/and blue under the bow pulpit. Gave her another good waxing with woody's XXX wax.

Swim ladder

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

Thought it was time to do some videos. All you have to do is click on one of the pictures.

Early morning calm.


Over the bow shot! Think its pretty cool.


Second New motor running well.FINALLY!!!


Mom and Dad aboard, gave me a chance to video

 

[fibersport]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

What you have done with your boat is simply spectacular. I thought it looked great when you first bought her, but after the changes you have made, it is really a tribute to your abilities. Can you share how you did your pads? I need to make some up for my boat and have a few different thoughts, would like to see how others have done it.
thanks -
Greg

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

Thanks Greg, I appreciate it Are you talking about the bolster pads or the teak step pads?

What you have done with your boat is simply spectacular. I thought it looked great when you first bought her, but after the changes you have made, it is really a tribute to your abilities. Can you share how you did your pads? I need to make some up for my boat and have a few different thoughts, would like to see how others have done it.
thanks -
Greg

 

[fibersport]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

Sorry, the bolster pads. Did you stitch the vinyl together or fold and staple? I did some some panels years back on my other boat that I just sort of layered the different colors like house siding or shingles. By using some thin plastic, I was able to form a nice straight edge when I folded the vinyl back over instead of having to sew the seams - granted my seams were horizontal and with less padding.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

Greg, I wish I could say that I built them, but I don't do sewing,lol I did design them if that counts. The bolsters were stitched together then laid over foam and stapled with stainless staples. I had them 45% the back corners so they would mesh good in the corners. Also they are mounted on a marine board, not sure what kind. It looked like pressboard but wasn't, (dark brown). The guy that built them for me, showed me a peice that had been soaking in water for weeks in the back of his shop. Its important to use a good backing or they will swell and not last long. I have seen the type that fold over, I prefer the stiching because the folds seem to collect dirt and can hold water. I inspired another guy who had seen mine to build his own, the thread and pictures are on THT. I will try and get you the link.

Sorry, the bolster pads. Did you stitch the vinyl together or fold and staple? I did some some panels years back on my other boat that I just sort of layered the different colors like house siding or shingles. By using some thin plastic, I was able to form a nice straight edge when I folded the vinyl back over instead of having to sew the seams - granted my seams were horizontal and with less padding.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

New still shots of her running.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

Well, end of the season. Getting back to working on the battle wagon to make her better for next season. I have decided to go ahead and Varnish all the teak. After two seasons on trying to keep up with the teak oil, lets just say its getting old! I removed the bow pulpit for the first time and the teak side steps/pads to sand them down and restore them again and then varnish. I chose Rustoleum Ultimate Spar Varnish with UV Protection, spray can style.

The plan is to remove all the teak and coat with atleast 6 to 8 coats of varnish. It will be interesting to see how it stands up to the weather. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Here is the teak pictures so far.

Before

Working on the bow pulpit. All the existing wood dowels were rotted and the pulpit basically came apart at the seams. I dug out the old dowels with a small chisel, then redrilled them. Dried the holes out and installed new dowels. Used water proff glue for dowels and between planks. I went overboard on the glue so it would seal the wood between planks. The gunnel pads were pretty easy, they have three coats of varnish on them already. These will all get sanded after 3 coats to make them very smooth between additional coats..

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

Redoweled,clamped and then sanded after 24 hours. This thing is solid now!

1 coat on the pulpit and 3 coats so far on the step pads. They will all get sanded between coats after 3 coats are applied. This will lay the varnish down more smoothly filling in the grains. By the time it is done, should be smooth all the way across. Really happy with the way they are coming along. This sh!ts so easy a cave man could do it. By the way, i am using spray can varnish. Can even spray it upside down. Bought at lowes for about 7 bucks a can. Should have less than a hundred bucks invested by the time I am done.

 

[zopperman]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

Oh man. I was drooling over this boat before I even saw what great work you did. Awesome job, really love to see some creativity

but I DO wish you had some nice twin merc 300's on there instead of that omc...

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: 1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

Oh man. I was drooling over this boat before I even saw what great work you did. Awesome job, really love to see some creativity

but I DO wish you had some nice twin merc 300's on there instead of that omc...

Thanks man, she is a constant project, but one I enjoy doing.

This is my first I/O. I can say, I really do like it. And for the cost of two new motors I could buy a bigger boat,lol It would be sweet with twin outboards though.