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Purchased the 1980 Chris Craft 410 Commander in April of 2020!
WHY??
One might ask what would possess someone to start such an extensive restoration project.
1) The layout - They don't make modern boats in this size range with full width aft cabins, full walk around master beds, and sufficient storage to consider possible live aboard, or at least long term trips. Modern boats have too much "built in stuff" that limit open space. Modern boats are too complicated, with systems/plumbing/wiring impossibly hidden inside walls.
2) Cost. I could never afford to buy a modern (20 years old or less) boat with the features and space that this boat has. By the time I get through restoring this boat, I'll have spent as much as it would have cost for a mid-80's trawler in fair to decent shape - with unknown numbers of things that would soon need attention.
3) Maintainability. When I get through restoring every system on the boat - I will know that every system will reliably work. And if something needs future attention, I'll know exactly where it is, and how to take care of it.
4) Classic appeal - If I'm able to complete the restoration, including getting the topsides restored, all the woodwork sanded, oiled, and brought back to good condition, and hopefully even update the interior - then I'll have a CLASSIC boat that looks great, and runs reliably, and is a joy to entertain on!
During paper signing - it was discovered that the boat had been named when it was on Lake Texoma. The original given name of the boat was "High Mesa II". According to the marina paperwork, she was known by the previous owner as "Classy Lady".
Possible names (should I decide to re-name): (in no particular order, some more likely than others...)
Miss Molly (re: Molly Brown)
Jenny (867..., or from Forest Gump, etc...)
Lake House
Beach House
Man Cave (Man Cavern??)
"Not Compensating"
Endorphin
Melatonin - "Mellow-Tone-N"
The boat will need considerable work to bring it into good operating condition. Below are some thoughts on the priority list:
Remove everything from the boat that isn't needed.
Replace forward chocks
Engines
Clear thru hull for water, check and clear strainer
Impellers / water pumps
Rebuild carbs
Change ignition to solid state
Oil Change
Gas filter change
Pump out gas tanks???
Plugs / points / distributor / wires?
Belts / hoses
Hour meters???
Replace batteries?
Starter ? - don't bother if it doesn't need it?
Alternators ? - don't bother if it doesn't need it?
Bottom Job
Top sides - compound?
Bilge pumps? Any other items required by survey?
DC panel - replace breakers (replace panel?)
Replace interior lights - 3 salon, 1 aft, 1 forward, 1 fwd head, 1 aft head - 10.5" x 5.5"
Replace fire extinguishers
Smoke Detectors
CO detectors
Caulk starboard aft window, clean up water marks. Ceiling mold??
Replace aft cabin curtains
Replace / add main cabin curtains
Replace carpet in main salon - provide adequate hatches to give proper engine access (this may happen as part of (1) Engine work - at least removal of carpet...)
Replace carpet on aft deck - make aft cabin "escape hatch" accessible.
Replace aft deck headliner.
Pressurized water system?
Get toilets working
Get sinks working
Replace Anchor windlass (non-functional, as per seller), anchor, anchor rode
Get showers working (? - might work??)
AC / Heat - Consider replacing mid-cabin unit, and possibly aft cabin unit with self-contained reverse cycle unit that will provide both AC and Heat?
Replace mattresses on beds
Paint / varnish / oil toe rail. Make cover.
Sand and varnish aft hand rail
Sand and varnish woodwork at helm
New cover for flybridge
Cover for helm console / instruments
Side boarding - Step / ramp / 4-step bumper-steps
Depth Finder / GPS
Update running lights. Set up all-around white running light. (??)
Generator / Inverter(?)
Desk for WFB
Try Bimini on Fly Bridge... Does it need new canvas? How hard/easy to deploy?
Table top ice maker.
Sleeping bags / linens for guest cabin. Replace mattresses.
Basic priorities:
Get the boat moving reliably (engines fully functional, tuned up, and solid.
Bottom job / repair / possibly also buff / compound top sides?
Get survey for boat.
Get the boat serviceable for taking guests out (i.e. plumbing, anchor, storage for water toys, galley, etc.)
Make the boat suitable for spending nights / weekends / longer on.
Make the boat suitable to "live aboard"
Complete all the cosmetic things to make her an "attractive" boat.
Work on making the boat suitable for long distance coastal cruising.
Misc Notes:
Plumbing:
Water Fill cap: 1.25" MIP
Waste Pump Out Cap: 1.5" MIP
Gas Fill Cap: 2.25"??
Water Pump: SEAFLO 33 Series Pressurized Water Pump
Hose from Fresh Water Tank: 3/4" ID. Cut off valve at tank under hatch in aft Engine Room
Hose at water pump - 1/2" ID.
Expenses:
9/5/20 - $80 Amazon - SEAFLO Model 33 pressurized water pump
9/5/20 - $180 Amazon - SEAFLO Marine Air Conditioning water pump.
9/3/20 - $435 - Defender - Soft Wet Exhaust hose.
8/31/20 $160 - (Autozone - purchased by Ed) - 2 new engine water pumps, thermostat, misc hose, etc.
8/28/20 (returned - $255.41 - MarinAire - 600GPH AC water circulation pump as backup / replacement for existing water pump.)
8/27/20 $100 - Ed - plumbed portable tank to port engine (and started on Westerbeke impeller on Regal)
8/23/20 $100 - Ed - Messing with port engine. Plugged stbd exhaust lifter.
8/21/20 $100 - Ed - Removed stbd exhaust Y, replaced port cap and rotor, inboard 4 plugs - no change, still won't start.
8/14/20 - $493.61 - Overton's - 55" bench seat.
8/17/20 - $1912.15 - MarinAire - first AC for main salon - 16,000BTU / 120V
8/16/20 - $160 - (Ed) - Water pump major repair kit.
8/8/20 - $300 - Ed - rebuilding water pumps.
7/30/20 - $207 - Jamestown Distributors - 1.25" reinforced water hose for engines
2/29/20 - $200 - Ed Flynn - attempting to get engines to start.
2/29/20 - $1000 deposit check written to Mudd Marine
3/5/20 - $91.22 - BFIC Fuel Systems (CarbsOnly) for 2 carburetor rebuild kits. (Carbsonly.com)
3/7/20 - $200 - Mike, Diving Duck - cleared engine intakes and took video of bottom condition WRT zebra muscles and blisters.
3/10/20 - $17512.50 - Completed PURCHASE of the boat!!
3/13/20 - $176.92 - Walmart - 2x group 24 Marine Batteries - main starting batteries. 1000CA, 136Ah
3/14/20 - **$121 - Academy - TEMPORARY - 6 gallon gas tank, fuel hose, fitting for tank.
3/15/20 - $400 - Ed Flynn - carburetor rebuild labor
3/15/20 - $353.84 - Walmart - 4 new starting batteries
3/15/20 - **$7722 - Slip fee, Emerald Point Marina. Note - this included a 10% "manager's special discount" to cover the 5% discount for paying the full year in advance, and a second 5% for "multiple slip discount".
3/15/20 - $176.92 - Walmart - Second set of (2) group 24 Marine Batteries - second starting set for Stbd engine. 1000CA, 136Ah
3/16/20 - $138.58 - Marine Parts Source (marinepartssource.com) - (2) impeller kits for main engine water pumps. Part no: SHER-23976
3/20/20 - $59.20 - BFIC Fuel Systems (CarbsOnly.com) - 2 choke pull-off assemblies, 2 fuel filters, 2 fuel filter springs
3/21/20 - $122 - Academy - 1100GPH automatic Rule bilge pump.
3/23/20 - $39.07 - Marine Parts Source - Purchased 2 Sherwood seals for the impeller rebuild kit (not included in the kit). Part no: SHER-10514C
7/17/20 - $9791.57 - Platinum Marine - Bottom work - blister repair, replace thru-hulls, replace swim platform supports.
7/24/20 - $212.12 - Defender - Water hose.
7/27/20 - $240 - Ed Flynn - Labor to rebuild water pumps (work half complete, to be installed within the next week).
$38555.10 to this point.
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