1990 Chris Craft 254 Seahawk ( Refurb and upgrades)

[windshield_time]

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

Maybe I missed it, but did you use spar varnish for all the teak, from a spray can or did you brush it on ? I really need to do my swim platform it looks real sad. I included a couple of pics of the original teak and the engine cover I started to redo with old wood flooring.

And love the look of your entire boat, especially the teak, I like real wood accents, would have them in my truck if I could.

 

[chriscraft254]

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

Maybe I missed it, but did you use spar varnish for all the teak, from a spray can or did you brush it on ? I really need to do my swim platform it looks real sad. I included a couple of pics of the original teak and the engine cover I started to redo with old wood flooring.

And love the look of your entire boat, especially the teak, I like real wood accents, would have them in my truck if I could.

Wecome to the thread. Yes and yes! I used both. The quarts are cheaper, so I used the brush on to get a few coats on and then used the spray cans to get the final/smoother finish. The teak work starts back on page 3 I think,lol Its been a long process and seems like each peice called for different applications to get the same end result.

I am also a fan of the teak accents and will be adding some more to this boat as I go along.

Hope that helps, Budd

 

[fibersport]

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

I've been reading along with all your work, it looks fantastic. I do have a question though, I always heard that teak was an oily wood and is difficult to keep varnish on, have you done this on other teak?

 

[Woodonglass]

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

Maybe I missed it, but did you use spar varnish for all the teak, from a spray can or did you brush it on ? I really need to do my swim platform it looks real sad. I included a couple of pics of the original teak and the engine cover I started to redo with old wood flooring.

And love the look of your entire boat, especially the teak, I like real wood accents, would have them in my truck if I could.

This is a great video by one of our Resident Pro's (BWT) on how he likes to seal teak using a combination of Epoxy and Varnish.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqiXZrs5hvM

 

[island mike]

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

Incredible.
Shes a beauty.
I cant believe what you paid for her too!
Nice job and congratz..
Regards I mike

 

[chriscraft254]

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

I've been reading along with all your work, it looks fantastic. I do have a question though, I always heard that teak was an oily wood and is difficult to keep varnish on, have you done this on other teak?

Thanks man, Actually all woods have natural oils and natural chemicals in them. Teak is an oily wood, but a quik sand down and a quik wipe with acetone and you will be good to go. It also depends on the age of the teak. If it is old teak and is been weathered, the oils will be less than if the teak is brand new. And obviously you want to make sure the teak is not wet, one good day out in the sun, and you should have no issues with it being wet.

The video posted above is basically the process I did without using epoxy first. I used one product instead of three products. I also didn't have to mix anything. Just my choice to go this way. Time will be the judge on how long it lasts and looks good.

Whatever teak you are doing you want to seal all sides equally, not letting moisture get under the finished coat at all. If it does it will ruin the finish quikly. Also make sure when installing with fasteners, that all holes drilled are epoxied,varnished or siloconed/life sealed as to not let moisture in around the fastener holes.

 

[chriscraft254]

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

Incredible.
Shes a beauty.
I cant believe what you paid for her too!
Nice job and congratz..
Regards I mike

Thanks Mike, I got a deal up front, but have made up for it since,lol Still way less money than a new replacement. She's getting there.

Budd

 

[chriscraft254]

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

Here's what I have in mind for the engine cover. These are just ply peices I had laying around. I will use the plywood as a truss system. This will add strength to the cover for standing on it and make it less flimsy. I will resin/glass these, then install them by glassing them to the engine cover. Then use foam insulation between the trusses and fiberglass over everything.

I have checked the clearances, and what I have cut there is what I have to play with. Should allow about 5 inches of foam on the top and 1 1/2 to 3 inches tapered on the sides.

Let me know what you guys think. I am designing as I go here.

 

[island mike]

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

Again,awesome job.
she would look stunning with a pair of outriggers on her...
Thought about that yet?
Keep up the good work!

 

[chriscraft254]

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

Again,awesome job.
she would look stunning with a pair of outriggers on her...
Thought about that yet?
Keep up the good work!

Thanks again. Since most my fishing now is in the inland, I can't see the expense yet for outriggers. The only time they would get used is when trailered to go offshore. I would like to have some teloscoping ones with the through the hardtop swiveles. Not ready to drop 2g on them though. For now I got a set of sideriggers that mount off the stern rod holders. There a pretty slick set-up for inland trolling.

Budd

 

[Outback Jack]

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

Wow Chriscraft awesome thread. I like how you are paying attention to detail.
I myself am all about detail in all my toys

I only got my own family into boating a couple years ago. We have always been rver's but wanted to get a boat to see if we liked it. Park the rv by the water why not get out on it and enjoy it. I knew I did, we always had a boat tied to the warf down home. My dad laughs today and says hmm maybe I should do something to the boat after watching you. He just drags it up onshore at the end of the season and leaves it there.

I been checking out lots of threads just to see styles of boats. I said to my wife the other day maybe we can upgrade to a boat with a little cuddy to enjoy and stay a night on the water...hmmm she kind of sounded interested. I like the size and style of this boat and looks like it is smooth on the water. Lots of potential for design with the size of deck space on the back for people.

Maybe after I get mine back on the water I will have to upgrade.

Anyhow keep up the good work

Nice Project

Jack

 

[chriscraft254]

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

Wow Chriscraft awesome thread. I like how you are paying attention to detail.
I myself am all about detail in all my toys

I only got my own family into boating a couple years ago. We have always been rver's but wanted to get a boat to see if we liked it. Park the rv by the water why not get out on it and enjoy it. I knew I did, we always had a boat tied to the warf down home. My dad laughs today and says hmm maybe I should do something to the boat after watching you. He just drags it up onshore at the end of the season and leaves it there.

I been checking out lots of threads just to see styles of boats. I said to my wife the other day maybe we can upgrade to a boat with a little cuddy to enjoy and stay a night on the water...hmmm she kind of sounded interested. I like the size and style of this boat and looks like it is smooth on the water. Lots of potential for design with the size of deck space on the back for people.

Maybe after I get mine back on the water I will have to upgrade.

Anyhow keep up the good work

Nice Project

Jack

Jack, thanks for the kind words man. What kind of boat do you have? The cuddy would definately be fun for the wife and you. This one is just big enough to enjoy. Hopefully it will be even better once I'm done with the interior. Stay tuned, more projets to come.

Budd

 

[chriscraft254]

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

Got a little more done on the engine cover. Cut the truss system down to 3" and radiused the corners. These will get fiberglassed in to the cover to make the cover more stout. The plan right now is to lay in a rubber/vinyl mat, then spray "open cell" insulation, then wrap everything with a foil matting for heat. The insulation will be sanded down after it is sprayed to be even with the profile of the supports. Then covered with the aluminum foil matting and taped.

 

[chriscraft254]

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

Couple pics of the boat docked up towards the end of last season.

 

[sprintst]

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

That is a heck of a deal on a boat with that solid of a base to build on. Keep up the good work. I'll keep hoping I can stumble across a boat like that

 

[island mike]

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

Thanks again. Since most my fishing now is in the inland, I can't see the expense yet for outriggers. The only time they would get used is when trailered to go offshore. I would like to have some teloscoping ones with the through the hardtop swiveles. Not ready to drop 2g on them though. For now I got a set of sideriggers that mount off the stern rod holders. There a pretty slick set-up for inland trolling.

Budd

2G you say?
I have telescopic ones myself.They were given to me as abirthday present at my former job at the boatyard,They are tigress heavy duty outriggers.I checked the internet to see how much they go for I recall(look it up later ) around three hunderd dollars for the whole set,Including the holders and everything else...Good luck.Mike.

 

[island mike]

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

P.s they are side mounted or on the gunwale...
Through the hardtop might be more expensive.I coukd check it out later if youwant..
gotta run to work now.

 

[chriscraft254]

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

P.s they are side mounted or on the gunwale...
Through the hardtop might be more expensive.I coukd check it out later if youwant..
gotta run to work now.

Yeah, I know there are cheaper ones out there, the main cost for me will be the type of swivel mounts I want for the hardtop. plus I will be a adding an aluminum support in the hardtop as I wouldn't trust the hardtop to the stress of the outriggers. I prefer them up high so they don't get in the way on the gunnels while fishing. Again though, I will probably not be adding them until I start trailering for offshore again. I have the side riggers also. Hell, they were $500.00 bucks. I've got a set of Penn downriggers for her to, just haven't mounted the plates yet. Here is one of the side riggers.

 

[26aftcab454]

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

WOW! great boat and a GREAT JOB!-I just came accross your thread. CONGRATS!

 

[chriscraft254]

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

WOW! great boat and a GREAT JOB!-I just came accross your thread. CONGRATS!

AftCab, Welcome aboard the thread and thankyou.