1969 Chris Craft Roamer 46 refit

[q240z]

The marina manager told me they can't splash me on Friday but Monday is open. So after 4,998 days on the hard in Deale, MD, the boat's finally going back in the water.

There are a few minor spots on the topsides where rain can still get inside the boat. I'll be taking care of those areas over the next week or so, but one of them is already done: the gap around the transom door now has Frost King weather seals. It was a cheap and easy off-the-shelf solution and doesn't look bad at all.

1969 Chris Craft Roamer 46 Refit: Transom Door Seal

Cheers,
Q

Before

After

 

[hat4349]

I've done bow in and stern in and find they've both got their pros and cons depending on the marina. But as I mentioned, all of the marinas in my area have very short finger piers, so you have to back into the slips. The slip I'll use in the current marina has 12' finger piers, and they taper down to the width of the piling at the end, so there's no room for steps. The ones in my soon-to-be home port are only 6'! If I parked bow-in there, I'd have to scale my bow railing and need a very tall staircase for boarding.

Good old Maryland marinas and short finger piers. They can be a trip.

 

[q240z]

Now that you mention it...I never have seen stubby finger piers anywhere other than Maryland.

The surveyor just informed me that he won't have his report done until the weekend. It was supposed to be in my inbox yesterday. That almost certainly throws the launch back to later next week instead of Monday. I really hate having to rely on others to do the things they say they'll do when they say they'll do it.

That said, the tent is coming down this weekend. Since the tent structure is also a scaffolding all the way around the boat, I'd like to get the mahogany handrails installed while the catwalk is still there. I first started polishing the stainless stanchion pipes for the handrails in 2016. I did few more in 2019, and polished all the rest, including the big curvy bow rails, earlier this year. They really polished up nicely and are much shinier than OEM.

1969 Chris Craft Roamer 46 Refit: Polishing More Side Deck Stanchions and Bow Railing

Cheers,
Q

Before

After

 

[q240z]

With all the handrail stanchions polished, I next set to work installing them and the mahogany handrail. It wasn't a pre-splash priority, but it's a lot easier to install these things with the catwalk scaffolding that goes around the boat now than it would be after this weekend, when I plan to disassemble the tent. I'm running into a couple of challenges, but still think I can get the handrail installed before the tent comes down.


1969 Chris Craft Roamer 46 Refit: Installing Side Deck Handrails


Cheers,
Q


Before (circa 2008)

After (circa yesterday)

 

[q240z]

Things are falling into place very rapidly. Had a long day at the boatyard today and got my mahogany handrails installed. I also peeled off the top of the tent and got most of the roof frames down. Tomorrow the rest of the tent comes down. If anybody is in the Deale, MD area and has “dismantle massive shrinkwrap tent’ on your bucket list, this is a golden opportunity. lol

1969 Chris Craft Roamer 46 Refit: Installing Mahogany Handrails

Cheers,
Q

 

[madhatter1]

You will need to end this epic thread and start a new one called 1969 Chris Craft Roamer 46 adventures. Nice job.

 

[q240z]

Thanks! But the refit's not done yet, so this thread still has legs. I'm just at the point where I can get it out of the tent, splash it, and drive away. There's still lots of work to do. But I'll be able to also enjoy it as a boat while the work gets done. Much better than being a tent cave troll slaving away in a lousy environment. lol

 

[q240z]

I did a full walk-through yesterday in response to some requests for a video.

I think I have no videography skills, but enjoy if you can! lol

I'm off to the boatyard.

1969 Chris Craft Roamer 46 Refit: Walk-Through Video

Cheers,
Q

 

[rsmith]

Looks great. I can’t imagine the heat and working conditions in that tent all these years. Been a tough road thanks for bringing us all along on the trip. It looks more like it should be in a museum.

 

[Timeless72]

Great days ahead for you! Congrats. Followed this thread for years.The biggest challenge I had after launch was transitioning from constant work to relaxing. I am always up and about with notion of getting something done. As the list winds down, finding it tough to sit still. Wife gets on my ass for anchoring out and then disappearing somewhere for hours. Hope the splash goes well!!

 

[q240z]

Thanks guys! Timeless72, the situation you described sounds like me! lol

That said, after a long day at the boatyard, I'm beat. But it was such a great day I had to share!

I and a very competent assistant got all of the roof frames and upper structures, the shrink wrap plastic, and the frames and scaffolding on the port side removed. Tomorrow I'll tackle the starboard side. With the tent gone, I have to say...this boat is a stunning beauty! So shiny!

1969 Chris Craft Roamer 46 Refit: Dismantling Tent Model XXX

Cheers,
Q

 

[Flying Dutchman]

Absolutely stunning! Congratulations and thank you for sharing!

 

[jim rosenthal]

At some point, you're going to have to name this boat and put it on the transom.

She looks fantastic. A fitting result for all your incredibly hard work.

 

[rsmith]

It’s just too nice to use.

 

[nor'easter]

Amazing work! She is gorgeous!

 

[UNIQUE_NAME]

so many times you will see a boat in the yard, the rehab starts like gangbusters, slows and sooner or later stops.
the boat then just falls apart.
your boat itself looks amazing but that you have had the determination to complete the journey might be even more impressive.
it would have killed mere mortals like us.

good luck and enjoy.

 

[q240z]

Thanks guys!

The most common phrase I've heard in the boatyard and online is variations on: "It's too nice to splash."

LOL

Splashing and using it like a boat instead of a paint and cabinet shop is why I did the whole thing.

 

[q240z]

One of the last holes to fill on the exterior to keep rain out involved installing the mast. I'd had the mahogany clear-coated with Imron MS1 back in 2013, and the bronze parts were all rechromed back in 2010. In 2019 I assembled most of the mast, but then wrapped it up in the spring of 2023. A few days ago, I installed the mast on the cabin top. It looks really good.

1969 Chris Craft Roamer 46 Refit: The Mast

Cheers,
Q

Before

After

 

[jim rosenthal]

Looks terrific. It's too bad no one makes an owner/absent light with the proper curvature for the spreaders, it would look cool out there.

 

[q240z]

Thanks Jim!

Well, it took three days but Tent Model XXX has officially been retired. I took all of the lumber, plywood, and screws that were still serviceable back home, along with the compressor, refrigerated air drier, and airline plumbing. My back's killing me. lol

There's a bunch of refit debris still under the boat, but I'll deal with that after the Travel Lift moves it to the water. Cleaning up the area made the boat look even better!

I've been told the marine insurance underwriters should be getting back to me with their (hopefully) approval to splash tomorrow.

1969 Chris Craft Roamer 46 Refit: Retiring Tent Model XXX part II

Cheers,
Q