R Stern

Transom - The Transom was in the same condition as the other parts of the boat. It needed attention. From years of unprotected exposure to the suns UV rays the mahogany had black stains on the starboard side. Additionally, there were originally supplied parts that were missing.

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 woodwork did not have a uniform color, texture or finish. The choice was made to try to 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.

Transom - The woodwork was first painted with multiple applications of Strypeeze paint and varnish remover followed by hand scraping to remove the accumulated old finish. Stripping the wood revealed that the quarter round molding had failed and that the seam of the transom was rotting in places.

The decision was made to replace the quarter-round molding and repair the seam along the transom. First the rot was dug out and then the wood sprayed with an application of Ethylene glycol antifreeze in order to kill any rot spoors.

Transom - Using the old molding as a pattern new mahogany 3/8" quarter-round molding was cut.

Transom - With the wood rot stabilized the bad area was repaired using Famowood mahogany wood filler. The wood filler was smoothed and blended with the original wood using 120 and then 220-grit sandpaper producing a clean smooth finish.

Transom - A thin bead of 3M 4200 was run across the transom seam. The new molding was fastened using #6 - 1 1/4" stainless steel screws with a 6" pattern.

Transom - 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.

The wood was coated with six applications of Interlux - #95 � Goldspar Varnish. In order to achieve a consistent uniform coverage, the varnish was applied using a 3� - 1/8� nap foam roller and then tipped-off with a foam brush. After drying, each application was lightly smoothed with 220-grit sandpaper. The object is to fill the valleys and sand off the peaks. Before the final application, the wood was vacuumed and then wiped-down with a tack-rag and paint thinner.

Transom ~ Name Boards - The two transom name board were approximately thirty years old and in need of an overhaul. The decision was made to try to salvage the old wood and lettering and not to start over..

The old varnish and coatings were slowly sanded down with 220-grit paper until smooth wood and or varnish was exposed.

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.

The wood was finished with six applications of Interlux - #95 – Goldspar Varnish. The first, five coats were rolled on one on top of the other. After the fifth coat, the varnish was smoothed with 220-grit sandpaper. Last, the whitted-out varnish was tacked with a cotton towel and paint thinner and then a final coat of varnish was tipped on..

Transom - Bob Bothum of LPX Sales & Service supplied the "Chris-Craft" name hardware and new stern light.