Painting/Restoring my 1981 31' Chris Craft Center Console

Kenwho

Recruit
Joined
Jun 3, 2010
Messages
5
Theres a long story behind this boat. Originally it had no bracket, with an open transom with twin engines attached to it. It also had a forward cabin which we cut out, and closed off so the bow is open. (I'll have to take some pics so you folks can see.

The boat sat in brackish water for about two years, and collected barnacles, and a nice, yellow stain on the bottom.

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I blocked it up, used some "Barnacle Buster" (something I bought at a marine shop), and it sizzled the barnacles off. Whatever was left came off with the pressure washer. Picture shows how well it worked.

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The barnacles, and yellow stain was the easy part. The tough job was getting the 20+ year stickers off. I found a clay wheel that attaches to a drill you can use that pulls the sticker, and alot of the sticky stuff off. It worked great compared to the razor blade/goof off technique I had originally started with.

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So after a couple weeks of sanding, fixing gelcoat, doing some minor fiberglass work, and everything else in between I finally got it to the point where I wanted to paint. I know it's not perfect, but it's not entering into a beauty contest. I wish I took more "in between" photos, but heres what she looks like about 90% done.

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My next project is to paint that electronics box somehow, and get rid of those lightning rod outriggers for some newer type fiberglass ones.

I also had plans on replacing the rub rail, but don't feel like paying the money at the moment. Then, the non-slip paint for the floor, paint the inside, etc.

The problem is those FL afternoon storms roll in just about the time I get home to work on the boat.
 

Andy in NY

Commander
Joined
Oct 25, 2007
Messages
2,109
Re: Painting/Restoring my 1981 31' Chris Craft Center Console

wow, thats alot of boat to paint! looks good!
 

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: Painting/Restoring my 1981 31' Chris Craft Center Console

Wow sweet boat! Your work looks great so far. That long boat definitely needs some color somewhere. Graphics or something. What motors are on her?

Have you seen this project thread? http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=271420
 

SBTOM

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 22, 2009
Messages
275
Re: Painting/Restoring my 1981 31' Chris Craft Center Console

Thats a whole lotta boat you've got going on there! Looks Good!
 

Kenwho

Recruit
Joined
Jun 3, 2010
Messages
5
Re: Painting/Restoring my 1981 31' Chris Craft Center Console

Wow sweet boat! Your work looks great so far. That long boat definitely needs some color somewhere. Graphics or something. What motors are on her?

Have you seen this project thread? http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=271420


I've been looking at graphics all day long. I can't make up my mind what I want to do.

Now I'm thinking about changing out the green fabic on the t-top and going with white canvas.

The motors are 2 x 250hp Evinrudes. They both have about 500 hours on them. They belonged to our City's police department, and they replaced them with etecs and auctioned theseoff.

I'm into this boat about 8,300 bucks so far..

I'll check that link out :)
 
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