Projects - 1968 58' Chris craft Roamer
As DeliveredThe biggest project Dave worked on was the upgrade of the 58' ChrisCraft Roamer he served as Captain. The picture above is the yacht as it was delivered in 1968. It is a Flush Deck motor yacht with Salon and Galley below decks and Wheelhouse seperated from an enclosed Afterdeck.
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After UpgradesIn 1977 a Flying Bridge, Radar Mast, and Dingy with Davit were added. Along with that the afterdeck curtains port and starboard were replaced with sliding windows, and a teak swim platform added on the transom.
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Canvas WorkThe yacht was then completly re-fitted with a Bimini Top, covers for the Fly Bridge and Whaler, along with new windshield and forward seat covers, and clear vinyl curtains across the stern of the afterdeck.
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1961 Century Arabian
Dave's favorite project was the restoration of a 1961 Century Arabian. He found the boat on one of his river trips at Hoppies Marina in Kimmswick, Mo (just south of St Loius). The boat hadn't been in the water for 10+ years, was in pretty bad shape, but it had the "tumblehome" stern of that era, and was laiden with all the original chrome brightwork. The boat was powered by a 225hp Graymarine Fireball V-8 with two side draft carbuerators. This boat had a Velvet Drive transmission and V-Drive, so the engine sat backwards at the stern , leaving the coockpit completely open. Very cool !!!
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The ribs and stringers in the bow and two planks on the transom had to be replaced, but the hull and thankfully the engine and transmission were in good shape. The boat was delivered new completely painted, but when putting it back together, he saw the condition of the mahogany deck planks and decided to strip and varnish them. He had all the chrome stripped, buffed and replated, then reassembled the boat. He showed it at the antique boat shows on Lake Minnetonka, and Bob Speltz of "The Real Runabouts" fame, included it in his Century boat poster (upper right corner). He sold it to a collector in Covington, KY. in 1990.
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