Update on 62 Connie

Kruz,

 

Thought I would update the group . We took the old gal twenty miles southest of Miami to Elliot Key on a nice trial run.

 

All systems go!!!! This is getting exciting.

 

 

Geo

Pictures of 1962 50' CC Constellation hitting the water

Hey Kreuz,

Photos are on page three....check it out. And yea you are definetly on for the grand cruise.......

Am I crazy to buy a 1968 wooden 57' CC Connie?

I am contemplating the purchase of a 1968 wooden hull 57' Chris Craft Connie for crusing on the Chesapeake, the ICW and perhaps live aboard in Florida and other warm climes for a few months each winter. Maybe even the Great Circle in a few years?

We live in Delaware and boat mostly on the Upper Chesapeake. 

Am I crazy to think this makes any sense? I just love wooden classic boats and can get a lot for the money, the boat has surveyed well in the past, the diesels have been majored about 600 hours ago and all systems seem sound. 

She needs interior refinishing, new furniture, topside brightwork refinishing, however the bottom and hull have been recently repainted. I am now recently retired, need something to occupy my idle hands and time and I am reasonably handy when I want to be which means the "honey do" list doesn't get much attention.

I am now studying for my "6 pack" captain's license in the hopes of becoming a better boater. Most of my boating experience is with a 1987 32' Marinette Auminum Cruiser that I owned from 1989 to 2000. 

Is this beautiful classic suited for what I want it to do or should I give up a dream and get real?

Your honest opinions will be seriously appreciated.

Thanks, Dick Burkhard.

62 Connie

Hey Geo,

 

Nice lookin hull on that connie. Looks like they are doing a good job from the pics. Are you pleased? Are you going to have them paint the topsides right away or wait a while? I imagine you are racking up quite the bill down there. Well worth every penny I'm sure... Can't wait to see her in the water...

 

G's Pics: 62 Connie

Connie Update

Hey GShermanGood,

 

Hows that Connie coming along? You bring her home yet?

 

-Kruez-

1962 Chris Craft Constellation

Wow. Two months later and we're almost done replanking. Starting to look really good.

 

Thought I was gonna get out of it cheap but no the maritime gods delivered a blow. Seems like my twin 430 Lincolns are seized due to the fact the previous owner had trucked the boat a short distance to another yard and water got into the exhaust and into the engines....

 

Rick Miller in Miami gave me the name of a good mechanic. John Munshaw. John's a hoot and I think we're gonna be good friends for a long time. If anybody else out here is into Connies give me a shout. I'll be posting more pics later.....

 

George

Water in the bilge on a connie

A general question.

 

How much water is acceptable in the bilge or is it?

1962 Chris Craft Connies

Looking for any books, manuels etc., on the repair and restoration of these beauties. Most "repair" or "build" are on bent frames or much smaller boats. These were production craft and surely someone has written something on them. Any help out there? Thank you.

 

George

Chris-Craft Constellation

Hey George,

Sounds like you have a fun boat project ahead of you. A "big" project. What part of the country are you in? Great Lakes area?

When I was a teen, the Skipper of my Sea Scout Ship had a 65' Chris-Craft Constellation. It was named "Six Pack" because his family of six lived aboard year round. It's actually an interesting story if my memory serves me well.

He purchased the boat for $12,000. It was sunk and sitting on the bottom when he took ownership. It had gone under do to a bad plank near the stuffing box or something like that. He was familiar with the boat and had been aboard her on several occations. After raising her they repaired the bottom. Recottoned, caulked, bottom painted and interior dried out and cleaned. He also repowered her with two Catapillar diesel engines and a new or rebuilt gen set. That in itself is no easy task as the Salon top had to be removed in order for the swamped engines to be removed and the new set installed. Mr. Evans was a resourcefull individual and completed all most all of the work himself with the help of his sons.

Mr. Evans owned a land moving business with a large equipment asset of which he sold in order to afford him the time to work on this project. He managed to hold on to two spare engine sets which he converted for marine use. The two that ended up powering the Six Pack.

They spent the next 10 or twelve years living aboard while under restoration. By the time I met them the boat was complete. Absolutely immaculate. The boat was better than showroom condition. The varnish and paint throughout was flawless with the finish of a fine piano. It really was more beautiful than I can possibly describe.

The next tragic event was when the driver of a hemi powered jet boat rammed her on the port side while docked in her covered slip. The drivers reaction to avoid the accident was to cut the engines at which time he lost all possability of stiring away. The bow of the jet boat had punctured a large hole into the galley area and completely destroyed the settee. Fortunately, all the damage was above the water line. She was hauled and meticulously repaired and again better than new.

A few years later, Mr. Evans sold the Six Pack. I don't know the exact figure but the rumor was approximately $250,000. He hated to do it but I suppose he wanted the full service marina he purchased enough to do so. The marina was situated on an inlet of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. I had only made it out to see them once or twice after that. However, I will never forget the Six Pack.

An old boat is like an old truck. It does not have to be perfect in order to be enjoyed. Charactor is a good thing.

Kruez