Ever thought Of Restoring A Boat? Start Small.
Ready for the fun part
Don’t make the same mistake… EXPENSIVE mistake I made, and start small on a restoration journey. On ebay today is a barrel Back Dumas kit thats been built and not finished. I had thought it would be fun to buy it and turn it into a left in the field look. Put some rot on it, maybe a dead mouse.. With a for sale sign for 50K. But then I thought, mmmm this may be a better thing to tell folks to try.
Sand and varnish.
The hard part has been done. She needs to be sanded and varnished. Details added and generally the fun part of the process. And even better if you already have an actual size barrel Back, in a weekend you could have a model of your own boat? Or you can sit around and watch the news and throw things at the TV screen? mmm Seems like an easy choice to me? I have run out of shoes and books to throw, anyway.
A cheap 3D printer comes in handy to make custom parts that may be unique to your boat.
Good idea Matt. It may be a good way to lower my blood pressure. I should dig out the completed hull on this wooden model of a 40′ Harco cruiser that a friend gave me years ago and finish it.
You know, I just bought a real Harco 40 boat and I would love to have a model of it. Any chance you would sell it?
The last photo suggests original owner started out to build a Hacker. (insert smiley face here)
Missing photo
Thought about both restoring and/or building a boat years ago. My wife thought I was nuts (I am) and in a flash of lightening inspiration bought me a kit model of my boat. She told me once I built it we could talk again. Well as free time came up there was classic boating to do, fishing, chlorox boating, gardening, kayaking and kayak fishing . 5 Years later it is still in its original box. My wife does have her moments. Maybe when I retire?
Zooming in on the boat reveals it still needs the mahogany planking applied. A chance to further customize.
Looks like a good winter project for someone. Unfortunately I have too many winter projects now. Whoever buys it should finish it and send us pictures.
I just saw yesterdays story on Tara Leigh and your Bruiser…My Angus MacDonald say’s hi
I know! It’s plastic! But a fun model boat story! In my mid 20s, I was visiting my parents one weekend. My youngest brother was in the process purchasing his 1st home. Mom took me to the estate sale the sellers were having, so I could see the house while I was in town. Couldn’t pass up this large Chris Craft cruiser model. Especially at only $10! Of course, my husband then spent about $200 replacing the non-functioning tube-radio setup, with modern RC control. Haven’t run it in years now, but the large, twin antique motors made an awesome rumble.
My wife bought me a Dumas Cobra kit for my 30th Birthday. It was coming along until our first child was born. I’m 54 now, retired and the kids are all grown. I guess I should try to finish it before my 60th.
My sister in law’s Uncle built this model from scratch over 70 years ago. It still sits proudly on a shelf in her and my brother’s living room.
I was given a Chris Craft Red & White model kit by a friend last year. I’ll get going on it when I get my real one back in the water this summer. On another note, Harco 40’s are really cool boats. I nearly bought one about 30 years ago. 😊