Antique resurection

[Sanguinius]

Well I'd like to say hi and that I'm glad to have found this board. I was just given a 1965 Owens boat this past weekend. She's in a sad shape and I likely will be needing plenty of help in putting her back on the water.

It's a 36'er that sank last year. It was down less than 24 hours and has been on the blocks over a year. A faulty bilge level switch put her down. Some cleaning has been started and I will be poking around for rot this weekend.

The guy said when he put it on the sling the "knees"? seemed weak. He said a boat that size should be put in on rails but the marina didn't have any available (It sank next to the pier).

So what I need to know is what you guys think as well as any advice you may have for me on this project. I took over 40 pics of her and uploaded them all to photobucket. Here is the link:

The Naughty Cuss

Let me know what you think and what I should be looking for and whatnot as well as good places to start. Thanks.

 

[rockyrude]

Re: Antique resurection

At the front, if you intend to refloat it for yourself, I'd worry most for the engines, if they were under water and not "blown out" after resurfacing then you may still have water in the cylinders or worse yet they've rusted and siezed the rings.
She's a wooden ship, the wood easily survived the ordeal , just needs to be cleaned up.

 

[Sanguinius]

Re: Antique resurection

Well according to the guy that pulled it, the knees were soft? Not sure what that means but he wants a waiver in case she crushes in the sling. The engines supposedly have been blown out shortly after it happend and turn freely. Both engines have new starters and wiring. Of course I'll be pulling the plugs and cranking each over in turn to make sure.

Another thing to note was that when I was going through the cabin, there was NO smell at all. Also lends me to believe there is no rot taking hold anywhere. Usually wood that's rotten stinks especially after sitting for a year correct?

 

[FlyTSi]

Re: Antique resurection

What made it sink in the 1st place. I know you said the bilge pump was bad but what caused the leak , or was it to much rain water or something.
Good luck
Kenny

 

[Sanguinius]

Re: Antique resurection

I'm not for sure. I'll be looking into that as well. I didn't see any holes and they said it was the bilge level switch that went bad. The pump was fine but the switch never kicked it on. I figured on an old wooden hull, it's bound to leak a little.

 

[tommays]

Re: Antique resurection

The electric system is wasted which will be a huge task

You will NOT be able to insure the boat with out getting a passing survey with correct electric being a BIG part of that

Sadly the electric is also REALLY hacked up

And the motors are also Chrysler which will be reall hard IF at all to get parts for

Good Luck


Tommays

 

[Sanguinius]

Re: Antique resurection

I know the electric system is requiring a complete overhaul. Thus the need for informationon this task as well as any tips you guys may have for me. The boat was gutted when the previous owner got it so the electric is all installed by him. Thus the reason I'm going to comb through every bit of it as well as likely install all new outlets and whatnot.

 

[tommays]

Re: Antique resurection

I would decide how much money you are willing to spend


Then write up a plan and see if it can be done within that budget



Look over the motors as they are Chrylser which is not bad but NOT made anymore so parts gonna cost if you can even get them



Tommays

 

[sdunt]

Re: Antique resurection

Look over the motors as they are Chrylser which is not bad but NOT made anymore so parts gonna cost if you can even get them

Here we go knocking Chrysler's again.. Get in touch with Franz at edit also Dave at
Check out the for manuals and such..

There is a very good and active forum on Yahoo for Chrysler's:

 

[pgdignan]

Re: Antique resurection

The knees seeming weak is causing the sling operator great concern due to the fact that the knee bracing is structural and your boat could actually fold up in the sling if the knees are rotted or excessively weak. In many wooden boats the knees are installed between the ribs (rising from the keel) and the deck framing if the knees were to fail, the only thing maintaining the hull shape would be a rather weak connection between the deck framing and the ribs. It's a nice looking boat but it sure does need a lot of work, best of luck.

 

[Sanguinius]

Re: Antique resurection

All right then I'll be poking the knees this weekend as well hopefully. Also have to look and see the best way to pull the rear decking up without much damage so I can REALLY get in there and have a good look around.

 

[pgdignan]

Re: Antique resurection

Try using a scratch awl or something similar and giving all the structural timbers a good poking to determine if there are any soft spots. I'm sure with a bit of 2x lumber, waterproof glue and a band saw you'll do just fine. The boat does have nice lines, I hope you get it back together and ship shape soon.

 

[Sanguinius]

Re: Antique resurection

I have my pick set from being a mechanic that I'll be taking down there with me and poking around everywhere I can.

What else do you guys recommend looking for while I'm out there? I'll only have a few hours of daylight so time is critical since I don't have a generator and I don't know if I can get a power line run to her while she's out there.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Antique resurection

I have fond memories of Owens wooden boats from the 50's & 60's. They were very desirable then. Yours looks pretty good from the pictures I saw. However, you already know it is 42 years old but don't really know what kind of care she has received during that time. You should consider having a professional marine survey done to help identify the issues you may face trying to save her. I would love to see her at one of the wooden boat shows some day. Good luck!

 

[pgdignan]

Re: Antique resurection

Bring along a decent flashlight (maybe a couple) and a hard rubber mallet (you can tell alot from the "thunking" sound) then just start: pick, prod, poke and bang your way around.

 

[seven up]

Re: Antique resurection

Hi.

Was looking over your pictures.

The first that bothers me is the blocking. The forward keel at the stem is sunk into the idiotic blocking of the hull. It makes no sense working on the hull with this blocking. A full length plank(s) under the keel with as continuous blocking as can be done, allowing for the straps, should be done to save the backbone, keel. Heavy plywood(pressure treated ?) squares under the blocks and boat stands, too. This helps prevent shifting. Another set of blocks at the rise of bow stem where the plank support along the keel ends. You have fiberglass boat blocking on a compromised wooden hull.


Keep us posted.

 

[Sanguinius]

Re: Antique resurection

Well she's been sitting on those blocks over a year and not knowing much about boating I just want to get her reinforced and back in the water asap. Especially after all I've her about it thus far. Bad blocking, needing reinforcement and whatnot. I definately will keep you guys posted. 2 more days and I'll be taking more pics and be prodding around on the hull.

Thanks for the rubber mallet idea. I never would have thought about that myself.

 

[seven up]

Re: Antique resurection

I understand. A quick sister here and there. Scrape paint splash. See ya.

 

[Sanguinius]

Re: Antique resurection

Nah not THAT quick. The whole bottom will be getting scraped, checked, and likely a fresh coat of paint from the bottom up. Just need to do it in a semi timely manner. Don't want it sitting on blocks another year if avoidable.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Antique resurection

Looks like quite a project. There is one more thing to junk, that would be the new Edelbrock 1407 carbs. Don't need to be blowin' it up after you get it back in the water.