1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

[chriscraft254]

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

Last but not least, you can see in this pic sorta, that all the upper striping and name logo is removed. i like it without, but have something else in mind in the future.:facepalm:

Ohh and Batman wants to know when I am going to be done making a mess and be done with this project! This is him taking a look at what I'm doing over the fence, looking pitiful. and yes, my place is a disaster right now. It doesn't always look like that.

 

[lil buggy]

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

great start on the list. a moutain of headway there. the anchor looks sweet, do you got a windlas on it?
batman will forgive you once he's perched up on the doghouse for the test run

 

[25thmustang]

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

Once again awesome progress.

Also, will keeping any varnish brush in a bag in the fridge keep it usable for a while? Do you still clean it and then store it, or just right in there when covered with varnish?

 

[GT1000000]

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

Once again awesome progress.

Also, will keeping any varnish brush in a bag in the fridge keep it usable for a while? Do you still clean it and then store it, or just right in there when covered with varnish?

For many years I have kept any brush in the fridge with whatever substance on it for several days...No Problem...
Couple of tips, though...

First, when you put it in a ziplock bag, try to press as much of the air out of it as possible, this will keep the paint or whatever, from forming a skin, that may have to be removed before reuse...

Latex or water based paints, stains, etc...can keep in the fridge for a loooooong time, just make sure it reaches room temp before using...

And Oil Based paints on the brush are best kept in the freezer, if its going to be for more than a few days...again, get as much of the air out of the bag and let it reach normal operating temp before use...

Hope this helps...

 

[chriscraft254]

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

Once again awesome progress.

Also, will keeping any varnish brush in a bag in the fridge keep it usable for a while? Do you still clean it and then store it, or just right in there when covered with varnish?

Gt has it right, but for about 25 years I have been wrapping regular cut in brushes in aluminum foil and keeping them in the fridge. I use the ziplock bags only with the small foam brushes.

To answer your question, yes. I don't clean it first and actually keep it pretty wet when stored in the bag or aluminum foil.

When you do it in aluminum foil, lay your foil out flat, then lay your brush down and roll the foil around the brush, fold the front edge over and roll some more. One its wrapped, you can flatten the bristles down to its original profile and throw it in the fridge.

 

[chriscraft254]

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

Marathon to thunder continued. had to leave work today because of a dibilitating migrain. Slept tell 6 something. Luckily I felt good when I awoke.

Had to take the bow pulpit off to wire and install the new led bow light.

This turned out to be quite the project. Took a couple hours. Removed the pulpit, installed new wiring in the channel on the underside and caulked with 1 hour silocone. This had a piece of teak that sat in there before but basically got destroyed taking it out. The caulk will do the job since it is basically hidden under the pulpit. The pulpit bottom got 7 or 8 coats of varnish before but I never sealed the screws so I got a little water damage but it dried out and this time I installed all bolts with silocone and sealed the bottom wher it meets the boat knotch.

The knotch was filthy and had to be cleaned and compounded before the install. then the caulk was applied.

Here is the underside where the water damege was and you can see the channel that the wires run through.

I filled the holes with 1 hour silocone and also under the bolts before they were tightened down. this should be more than water tight when done. You can see the slight damage around the holes here also. Not as bad as the bottom. Will redo later, probably next winter.

Bow pulpit front rail plates were also caulked really well and then bolted through with new stainless bolts and washer/lock nuts. It is solid as a rock now. All the caulking was wiped with a damp cloth and then buffed off to be nice and clean when done with install.

 

[chriscraft254]

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

Here is the new bow light installed and wired up. I love this light, it is the coolest bow light I have seen sold.

The pulpit sits in a pocket, tomarrow I will i hour caulk the seam all the way around the pulpit to the glass. This should keep any water from even getting to the caulking that I put under the pulpit.

All in all, I think the bow pulpit and related items really still looks good and will be strong and sealed.

No varnishing done today, but I did reinstall the cabin doors, the rest of the varnishing can be done with the doors installed. Its gonna look great! Also cleaned up the boat a bit, just getting things ready for the big cleanup. Tomarrow will definately be a late night. I will be ready for a relaxing weekend.

 

[lil buggy]

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

lookin good,
i really like the bow led, i gota hunt for one of them, sweeet.

 

[lil buggy]

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

its been buggin me for a few days now, i know i've seen that logo(boat name) before.
how long has he had that boat? did he use the same logo on a previous boat?
only thing i can think of is, did he didn't make a trip up to pittsburgh, or,
a few decades ago,, i worked on the long haul towboats and we passed by his and your front yard about once a month on our way to cairo il and we always stopped at paduca ky. not sure but i know i saw it somewhere:facepalm:

 

[chriscraft254]

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

its been buggin me for a few days now, i know i've seen that logo(boat name) before.
how long has he had that boat? did he use the same logo on a previous boat?
only thing i can think of is, did he didn't make a trip up to pittsburgh, or,
a few decades ago,, i worked on the long haul towboats and we passed by his and your front yard about once a month on our way to cairo il and we always stopped at paduca ky. not sure but i know i saw it somewhere:facepalm:

They took a trip to pitsburg on her I think two years ago. They met alot of people up there that still inquire and stay in touch. The tug boat operators really like it to. They got a tour on one of the big ones one time for a tour of theres. Very possible you saw it up in your area.

I bought the bow light on ebay. It was the cheapest place I could find that one. Make sure you get the stainless, they sell a cheaper one in a silver color that looks crappy,lol

 

[chriscraft254]

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

Just got in from the boat. Burned some midnite oil. Got the port side trim tab on beaded in 5200. And installed the other underwater light also. Then put the swim platform back on the same way the pulpit got installed. Siloconed all the bolt holes ect. Still have to varnish the underside, but that can wait till next week.

Also cleaned up all the misc crud laying around the stern of the boat/drive. Its getting there. The underwater lights lit the driveway up nicely for working out there....lol

 

[GT1000000]

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

I would bet that sleep is NOT very high on your "To Do" list for at least the next day and a half...

You have got to be like a kid waiting for Christmas morning, or the last day of school before summer vacation starts...

Best Regards on getting it all set to go...

 

[lil buggy]

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

that makes sense, i bet i did see her,, i'm not crazy after all,,,lol.
next trip, make sure he looks me up, i'll get him a slip to recharge for the trip home. ,,,,, how's he doing?

i'll start the bow led search soon. i got one of those silver ones,,lol,, now. i would like all the nav lights to be led, to save power as well as they just look cool. i gotta search for replacement led's or new fixtures,,, to be continued,,lol

hope you have another productive day today. they are callin for eve possibility of rain up here.
nice push. glad you feel better

 

[25thmustang]

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

Great progress. I'm also glad you caught the water issue on the pulpit. You should have that cured now. I also agree, that real still looks great.

Anxiously awaiting more updates!

 

[BSnB]

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

Great job, CC, as always. That bow pulpit looks great and the LED Bow light too. Batman clearly needs a boat ride and I don't think that's a dog you should disappoint!

 

[chriscraft254]

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

I would bet that sleep is NOT very high on your "To Do" list for at least the next day and a half...

You have got to be like a kid waiting for Christmas morning, or the last day of school before summer vacation starts...

Best Regards on getting it all set to go...

Thankyou sir, and you are right. I have done soooooooo much to it over the last few months I can't wait to get her on the water and run some tests. Sleep would be nice though, I'm exhuasted. Its been a marathon for sure and I'm not done yet. Got a feeling sunday will be the relaxation day. Just hope the boat/outdrive do ok.

that makes sense, i bet i did see her,, i'm not crazy after all,,,lol.
next trip, make sure he looks me up, i'll get him a slip to recharge for the trip home. ,,,,, how's he doing?

i'll start the bow led search soon. i got one of those silver ones,,lol,, now. i would like all the nav lights to be led, to save power as well as they just look cool. i gotta search for replacement led's or new fixtures,,, to be continued,,lol

hope you have another productive day today. they are callin for eve possibility of rain up here.
nice push. glad you feel better

Dads doing real good, he was doing some painting on his boat rails today I think. What I like most about the bow light is it is led, so hardly any power draw. The only thing left to change over is the gauges and the spot lights to led. Definately felt better today and got alot done. The weather couperated also, the rain went around louisville. Looked bad for a bit but went south. means more work got done.

Great progress. I'm also glad you caught the water issue on the pulpit. You should have that cured now. I also agree, that real still looks great.

Anxiously awaiting more updates!

Thanks man, It should be good to go now and if its not, I'm buying a stainles bow pulpit:facepalm: Updates a coming

Great job, CC, as always. That bow pulpit looks great and the LED Bow light too. Batman clearly needs a boat ride and I don't think that's a dog you should disappoint!

Thanks man, Batman will get a boat ride sunday if all goes well tomarrow. he needs to get his swim on!! lol Little nervous about the outdrive but I think its good to go.

 

[chriscraft254]

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

Marathon update, Had to only work a half day today so reallly got some running around done and some projects knocked off a little.

Got a nice surprise when I got home, the led light were in the mail. Replacement for the broken ones, so of coarse I went right to work. It was very simple, pulled out the other strip, wired the other one in and stuck it in there, let there be light!! All led systems are a go!!

Then focused on getting that little plug in the outdrive squared away. I happened to have a bag full of 3/4 inch drain brass drain plugs that I bought to fit the livewells when I am using them for beer coolers. I drilled the grommet that was in the outdrive to fit the plug. I think it is going to really work great!Now it won't matter if someone pulled it out, because they can put it back in.

Drilled out.

Plug I'm using.

Installed.
It really worked well because the plug bushing was exactly the same size as the bolt flange, so it layes almost flat to the outdrive housing.

 

[chriscraft254]

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

Also got another coat on the door frame and one more coat on both the bow trims, port and starboard.

Went to dmv and got my new sticker! I am legal to tear it up again,lol 2012 BABY!

I had to go to lowes and get two new brass drain plugs for the risers, installed them and also installed the motor drain plugs. Then filled the motor with water and tighten down the hose, put the ears on the outdrive and fired her up. The motor runs flawlessly. I did have an issue that freaked me out, the starter was hung for lack of better word. Probably just from sitting. I thought it was bad, but then it worked itsself loose or something. It starts fine now. I let the motor run and my temp was 155 degrees.

It is official, the engine cover does work! I can already tell it is going to be much quieter now. But will take video to compare to the last video running down to the party cove.

Took the logo cover off the electronics box and sanded the edge and reinstalled. Finished installing the swim platform, just a few screws and got some shorter bolts for the radar so my electronics box door will open up flat to the ceiling. also tightened down the swim ladder.

Cleaned up all the crap off the boat that I don't need anymore, tools, sand paper etc etc etc . tomarrow will basically be compound,wax and clean her up. Get the boat loaded, and go go go!

 

[chriscraft254]

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

My previous check list. Bold lettered is done or should be done by tomarrow at noon or by 2 pm.

- Finish all teak to finished varnish coat.

- Re-install cabin doors.

- Coat bottom of swim platform with varnish, atleast 8 coats.

- Install swim platform to stern brackets.

- Install port side trim tab beaded in 5200

- Tighten bow pulpit bolts and mount/install new fortress fx-16 anchor.

- Install new bow light and wire/test.

- Temperarily silocone side window that I removed the rubber from to find a replacement.

- Clean and polish prop.

- Clean wiring behind gauges and install trim rings and screws.

- Install hds-7s and test to make sure they are working after sitting all winter in the house.

- Check radar dome and make sure it works.

- Clean cabin and load all safety gear and food and frothy beverages. This means I have to go shopping to.

- Finish polishing the exterior of the cabin with 1000 grit film disks, them 3m compound. Striping and seahawk logo has already been removed.

- Start motor on muffs and check operation of outdrive/ linkage of throttle.

- Check operation of bilge pumps and rest of electrical systems.

- Clean entire boat.

- Compound all interior fiberglass and wax.

- Wax exterior hull including bottom.

- Woody coat non skid

- Clean and wax hardtop.

- Sand edge of electronics box logo cover where I got overspray on the edges of the starboard.

- Install rear seats and front helm seats.

- Load boat with whatever else I will need for a hell of an air show and fireworks. Grill W/propane, flagpoles with american flag and Marine Corp flag, boat rod, fenders, ditch bag, first aid kit, binoculars, camera, video camera, duck food, extra cloths, wet gear, warm gear, tools, cooler filled with ???. couple fishing rods and tackle box, music/cds, and last but not least toilet paper/portapoti and the boat plug. keys might be a good idea to.

Thats just what i can remember off the top of my head, ohh and sexy women,lol

 

[lil buggy]

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

whaaaaaassssuuuppppp!
and it is done!
i gotta admit, thats one heck of a work ethic you got there.
you definately rocked that list.
but you left a few things off,,,,

- get business cards printed off

and

- check batteries in camera



i am stoked that you can splash her,,, and in time even!
also glad pop is feeling better and is knocking out his own list

all roses Budd, enjoy the fruits of your labor