Circa late 1960's Smith Craft

[SSDaytona]

Re: Circa late 1960's Smith Craft

Mine looks like sheet plywood construction hull with what looks like a mahogany top, but I am not sure yet. Should have more details in the next few weeks. Still working through the re-registration process!

As for repainting it, what paints as well as application process do you all recommend?

Thanks,
George.

 

[Ned L]

Re: Circa late 1960's Smith Craft

I'd recommend a good quality single part traditional oil base enamel. If you want a good marine name Kirby's in New Bedford Mass will ship. Quite frankly for lake use any good oil base will be fine, Rustoleum will do well, or a good oil base porch & deck paint. For the mahogany decks I'd go with an exterior 'spar varnish'. Exterior for the UV blocking. I stay away from polyurethane varnishes as I find the 'spar' varnishes are easier for maintenance.

 

[Buickwes]

Re: Circa late 1960's Smith Craft

George,

Thought I would reply on here in lieu of private email so I could share this post with others. Here is what I am doing to my Smith Craft, all based on my father's expertise in wooden boat restoration.

I am treating the edges and seams of the bottom plywood with CPES penetrating epoxy. The old plywood is DRY and soaks up a lot of it. The plywood used on the boats, at least mine, is Weldwood plywood which has a phenolic resin-cellulose skin over the plywood. http://www.fiberglassics.com/wiki/images/0/01/Hilinera60001.jpg I soon will be painting the bottom, first using Pettit's high build epoxy primer and then Pettit's easypoxy paint (also used on the sides). They have a color, Bikini Blue 3299, that matches the blue hull color pretty closely.

As far as the interior and decks, I agree with the previous poster about using spar varnish. The polyeurethanes aren't great for boats.

Hope this helps.

Wes