R Controls

Helm Station & Controls - At the controls area the new 14-2 marine safety duplex wiring was bundled together and only partially attached. The old wiring was disconnected and just hanging down. It was obvious that none of the electronics would work. And just as obvious that none of it was worth saving.

Everything that was not fastened down was removed. Next came the initial cleaning and then a detailed inspection.

Helm Station & Controls - The headliner was removed to gain access to the wiring and air line for the trumpet horn. All of the old electronics were remover and replaced with a new integrated Raytheon digital system including Radar, GPS, Chart Plotter and Depth Speed and Temperature display. New 12-volt DC windshield wipers and switches were installed. The old manual bilge pump switches were replaced with a new panel. Last a AM/FM radio was added.

The center windshield bars were straightened The hold open wing nut on the Starboard adjustment bar was broken off. After drilling and extracting the bolt end a vintage OEM Chris Craft Wing Nut was found and installed.

The center windshield was a source of leaking down into the saloon. The caulking around the inside and outside of the center windshield was dried-out and cracking. All of the old caulk on both sides was dug out and new 3M-4200 injected into the openings. A new all weather rubber gasket was then installed around the windshield edge.

Helm Station & Controls ~ Foot Rest - Some Chris-Craft boats came from the factory with a mahogany footrest. The footrest was hinged with two large bronze hinges. A search on the Internet turned-up a pair of NOS hinges. The hinges were then installed below the helm. One of the salvaged mahogany side panels was used to cut a piece for the footrest. The six sides were trimmed using a ¼ radius round-over bit.

Over the years and owners many different types of stains, colors, tints, sealers and varnishes had been used on the boat. The net effect was that the exposed mahogany woodwork did not have a uniform color, texture or finish. The choice was made to try and achieve a level of consistency. In order to achieve a uniform look the decision was made to strip, sand, stain and refinish all the wood.

The woodwork was first painted with multiple applications of Strypeeze paint and varnish remover followed by hand scraping to remove the accumulated old finish.

Any nicks, dings, scratches or blemishes were repaired using Famowood mahogany wood filler. With the surface repaired, the wood was smoothed using 120 and then 220-grit sandpaper producing a clean smooth finish.

The woodwork was painted with the grain with Interlux – #573 C.C. Red Mahogany Wood Filler Stain that had been thinned 50% by volume. After the stain had set-up for approximately 5 minutes the excess was rubbed off against the grain with a cotton towel. After the stain had dried for 24 hours it was rubbed down with a Green (Medium) 3M Scotch-Brite Pad.

Using a 1/8" nap foam roller and a 2" foam brush the woodwork was rolled and tipped with six applications of Interlux - #95 - Goldspar Varnish. Before the last coat was applied, the previous coats were block sanded with 220-grit sandpaper and then everything was vacuumed and wiped-down with a tack-rag and paint thinner.

Helm Station & Control ~ Instrument Panel - The overall appearance of the engine instrument panel and the surrounding controls was fair. The metal Chris-Craft emblem at the top of the instrument panel was weathered, corroded and pitted. The metal gauge cluster frame that surrounds the engine gauges was covered with black paint. The twelve "On / Off" switches were pitted with corrosion and of assorted styles. The two Morse, duel function, single lever throttle / transmission, controls were corroded and pitted as well. The textured white paint that covered the outer casement of the helm station was dirty, scratched and weathered. And so, the repair and renovation of the Helm Station, Controls / Engine Instrument Panel was started.

Helm Station & Control ~ Instrument Panel - The two Morse, duel function, single lever throttle / transmission, controls were unscrewed, disconnected and removed. It was informative to see that only five of the eight screws were holding the controls in place. Next, the twelve on / off switches were disconnected and removed. During the disassembly it was discovered that only ten of the twelve switches were actual connected to something. As each switch was removed its corresponding wires were tagged for future reinstallation. Finally, the ten port and starboard engine gauges were disconnected and removed. It was interesting to note how some of the gauges and wires were fastened. Some with flat washers and nuts, while other had lock washers and nuts, and yet some had just had nuts with no washer and in some cases just a bolt with no washer or nut. The starboard tachometer was not working and most of the light bulbs for the gauges were burnt out.

The hardest item to remove was the "Constellation" style six spoke, duel ring helm itself. Because the backside of the center part of the helm is concave in shape it is very difficult to attach a gear puller to the helm in order to remove it. It eventually took two gear pullers; one attached to the other to remove the wheel.

Multiple applications of Strypeeze paint and varnish remover were needed to remove all of the old paint from the gauge frame. With the paint removed it was discovered that the black paint was covering the once chromed but now pitted gauge cluster frame. With all the gauges, switches and controls were removed, the ¾" wooden base was taken off. The covering on the base was removed and the wood rough-upped with 60-grit sandpaper.

Abandoned screw holes were plugged with hardwood dowels. The dowels were buttered with West System 105 / 205 epoxy and then driven into the screw holes. Later the top of the dowels were cut off and the wood sanded smooth with 120-grit sandpaper.

After that, the six sides of the wooden base were coated with two applications of West System epoxy. After each coating of epoxy had dried it was faired using 120-grit sandpaper.

Helm Station & Control ~ Helm - The helm was showing its age and ware. One of the helm spokes was broken. The six mahogany spindles were chipped, dinged, scratched or had broken ends. The decision was made to rechrome the metal part and remanufacture new mahogany spindles.

Helm Station & Control ~ Helm - Using the six original spindles as a pattern new mahogany - 3.5"x 7/8" with a 3/8" bore spindles were turned. The convex cutout at the narrow ends were then cut using a ¾” Forstner bit. The center mahogany hub was chucked-up and re-grooved. All the wooden parts were then faired with 220-grit sand paper.

The woodwork was painted with the grain with Interlux – #573 C.C. Red Mahogany Wood Filler Stain that had been thinned 50% by volume. After the stain had set-up for approximately 5 minutes the excess was rubbed off against the grain with a cotton towel. After the stain had dried for 24 hours it was rubbed down with a Green (Medium) 3M Scotch-Brite Pad.

Using a 1/8" nap foam roller and a 2" foam brush the woodwork was rolled and tipped with six applications of Interlux - #95 - Goldspar Varnish. Before the last coat was applied, the previous coats were block sanded with 220-grit sandpaper and then everything was vacuumed and wiped-down with a tack-rag and paint thinner.

The outer and inner rings as well as the six spokes were sent out to Wade Technology Inc. Phila., PA. for replating.

The remanufactured spindles were joined with the replated spokes and rings and the helm reassembled and installed.

Helm Station & Control ~ Instrument Panel - The same Wilsonart, Hunter Green laminate that was used for the wet bar was chosen as the new base for the helm station.

The weathered and pitted throttle / transmission controls as well as the gauge cluster frame were then set out for cleaning and re-chroming to Wade Technology Inc. Phila., PA. The white paint that covered outer casement of the helm station at first glance appeared to be a textured paint. A thorough inspection revealed that there could easily be forty years of built-up paint that was causing the wrinkled look.

The woodwork was painted with multiple applications of Strypeeze paint and varnish remover followed by hand scraping to remove the accumulated the old finish.

Any nicks, dings, scratches or blemishes were repaired using Famowood mahogany wood filler. With the surface repaired, the wood was smoothed using 120 and then 220-grit sandpaper producing a clean smooth finish.

In preparation for the finish paint, two coats of Interlux – Pre-Kote White primer was applied using a 3” - 1/8” nap foam roller. After drying, the paint was smoothed with 220-grit sandpaper. The primed wood was then painted with two coats of Interlux Brightside - White. After the first coat had dried, the paint was smoothed with 220-grit sandpaper. Before final painting, the wood was vacuumed and then wiped-down with a tack-rag and paint thinner.

Because of corrosion, age, and assorted styles, and the desire to create a clean uniform look, the ten "On / Off" switches were replaced with new gasket sealed Cole & Hersee switches. The wiring for the switches was inspected and when needed replaced. Next, all of the bulbs for the instrument lights were replaced. All the cables and wires were uniformly tag and dressed. Because of breakage the two engine temperature gauges were replaced with new gauges. The problem with the starboard tachometer was a broken tachometer key at the connection of the tachometer cable to the engine. The hoses to the port and starboard oil and transmission gauges were all hard and cracked and some were leaking. The four hoses were replaced with new Aeroquip textile braided hose rated at 250 PSI.

Helm Station & Control ~ Steering - While maneuvering within the marina helm control of the rudders was lost. After careful steering using only the engines Independence was able to return to her assigned slip.

A check of the steering quadrant in the Lazarette revealed the the mechanical steering pipe broke off at the clevis. A detailed inspection of the mechanical steering system revealed that the galvanized pipe was rusted in many spots and had broken and was patched several times in the past with pieces of metal and clamps. It was clear that the forty-year old plus galvanized pipe mechanical steering system was in need of replacement.

The old steering system was cut out from the helm to the rudders.

Helm Station & Control ~ Steering - The decision was made to replace the original mechanical steering with a hydraulic system.

Given the size, weight and engines of Independence and after consultation with SeaStar the decision was made to install the SeaStar Pro hydraulic steering system with a 6.9 MPa - 1,000 PSI ram. The system consisted of the helm pump, 3/8" Nylon tubing, ram and rear mounting kit.

Helm Station & Control ~ Steering - The opening of the lower gauge panel was framed with 1" mahogany stock in preparation for the installation of a new lower panel.

Helm Station & Control ~ Steering - A 4 1/4" hole was drilled in the helm station for the helm pump.

Helm Station & Control ~ Steering - A new lower panel was rough cut from 7/8" stock.

Helm Station & Control ~ Steering - A plinth was cut to fit between the new lower gauge panel and the upper part of the helm station in order to anchor the helm pump to the helm station. A 4 1/4" hole was drilled through the plinth and lower gauge panel and the helm pump fitted. After trimming the opening and fitting the helm pump the front mounting kit was installed.

Helm Station & Control ~ Steering - In preparation for the finish paint, two coats of Interlux – Pre-Kote White primer were rolled and tipped using a 1/8� nap foam roller and a 2" foam brush. After each coat had dried, the paint was smoothed with 220-grit sandpaper. The primed wood was then rolled and tipped using a 1/8� nap foam roller and a 2" foam brush with two coats of Interlux Brightside - White. After the first coat had dried, the paint was smoothed with 220-grit sandpaper. Before final painting, the wood was vacuumed and then wiped-down with a tack-rag and paint thinner.

The new helm pump was installed in the helm station and secured with stainless steel screws and finish washers. The original Chris Craft helm was installed. The hydraulics system was bleed of air and completely tested.