Saloon Aft Cabin Aft Head Owners Cabin Owners Head Engines Fore Deck 
Controls Wet Bar Forward Head Forward Cabin Stern Lazarette Galley 
Start Lower Hull Upper Hull Deckhouse Wheelhouse Aft Deck Dinette
Wheelhouse ~ Roof - The electrical and mechanical items on Wheelhouse roof were found to be either, broken, insufficient, obsolete, or just old. On top of the Wheelhouse was a partially disassembled broken Decca radar dome . The hailer was disconnected. The mast was disconnected. There were three old unattached radio antennas sitting on the wheelhouse roof. The utility boat davit was pulled out of its housing and was laying on it side. There were two rotting boat cradles bolted to the Wheelhouse roof.

 Everything that was not fastened down was removed. Next came the initial cleaning and then a detailed inspection.		 Wheelhouse Top
Wheelhouse Top Wheelhouse ~ Roof - Abandoned screw holes were re-drilled and then 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.

The roof was then treated with two applications of fiberglass mat and West System 105 / 205 epoxy.
Wheelhouse ~ Roof - The Wheelhouse roof was faired and painted with US Paint - Awl-Grip, Snow White paint.

The new electronics were installed. On the port side is the new hailer, center is the Guest 100-watt halogen spot flood light, starboard side is the integrated GPS and differential GPS receiver. In back of the spot flood light is the Raytheon R20xx random. The sound of the 31" Buell chimed air horns is rich and unforgettable in tone and pitch. The horns are hand-spun of solid brass and finished in chrome.

 Wheelhouse Top
Starboard Wheelhouse Windows Wheelhouse ~ Side windows - Some of the wood framing around the outside and inside of the wheelhouse side windows on both the port and starboard side was soft and rotting. That caused leaking down into the aft guest head and cabin below. The inside wood paneling under the wheelhouse windows was showing signs of delamination and deterioration as well. The decision was taken to remove the sliding windows and open the entire inside areas of the wheelhouse for a detailed inspection and repair.

All of the bad wood that made-up the framing for the side windows was repaired or replaced and sealed with epoxy. The old sliding glass windows were replaced with single pieces of thick safety glass. The windows were secured in place using anodized aluminum “L” molding on both sides of the replacement glass. The inside molding was first bedded in white 3M-5200 and then the glass installed. The outside molding was also bedded using 3M-5200. The molding was secured with #6 – ¾” pan head stainless steel screws.
Wheelhouse - With the inside paneling removed, a detailed inspection revealed that some of the screws holding the support framing were loose. Some of the deck seams behind the framing were open as well. It appeared that the seams had never been caulked by Chris-Craft when the boat was built. There was evidence of rot and rain water leaking down into the Aft Guest Cabin and Aft Guest Head directly below the windows. It was clear that the leaking came from the old sliding windows and the open deck seams. Wheelhouse Starboard
Wheelhouse Window Starboard Wheelhouse - All the inside framing was removed and inspected. The screw holes in the teak decking from the removed screws were plugged with epoxy-coated dowels.

The seams were the fiberglass shells of the outside of the wheelhouse was fastened to the decking was filled with caulking cotton that was saturated with West System 105 / 205 epoxy that was thickened with West System 404 high-density filler.

The teak deck seams were injected with three applications of West System 105 / 205 epoxy. The epoxy was thinned 100% by volume with lacquer thinner to the consistency of water. This process allowed the epoxy to slowly seep into and seal the wood. After each application had dried for 24 hours, it was lightly sanded with 120-grit sandpaper. The bottom, horizontal framing members were reinstalled in a bed of 3M-4200 and then fastened using stainless steel screws. The vertical members were reinstalled using stainless steel screws.
Wheelhouse - Replacement Luan wall panels were measured cut and dry fitted. Any nicks, dings or gouges in the panels were repaired using Famowood mahogany Wood Filler. The new inboard walls were then faired with 220-grit sandpaper producing a clean smooth finish. After sanding, the woodwork was painted with the grain with Interlux – #573 C.C. Red Mahogany Wood Filler Stain that had been thinned 50%. After the stain had set-up for approximately 5 minutes the excess was rubbed off against the grain with a cotton towel.

 The wood was sealed with three applications of West System 105 / 207 epoxy. (The 207 hardener dries to a clear finish.) The first coat was thinned 100% by volume. The viscosity of the second coat was thinned 50%. The last coat was not thinned at all. The epoxy was thinned with lacquer thinner and rolled on with a foam 1/8” foam nap roller and tipped with a foam brush to remove any bubbles. This process allowed the epoxy to slowly seep-into and seal the wood. After drying, the hardened epoxy was smoothed using 220-grit sandpaper. The whited-out epoxy was then vacuumed and wiped-down with a cotton towel and paint thinner.

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. 		 Wheelhouse Window Starboard
Wheelhouse Window Starboard Wheelhouse - In order to achieve a consistent uniform look a 'story poll' was made. Using the 'story poll' as a guide the panels were secured to the inside framing at consistent heights with #6 - ¾” stainless steel screws and finish washers. 
Wheelhouse ~ Saloon door - 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.

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.

 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. After drying, each application was lightly smoothed with 220-grit sandpaper. Before the final application, the wood was vacuumed and then wiped-down with a tack-rag and paint thinner.

The original hardware was cleaned and inspected. There was very little common or standardized types and sizes of fasteners used on the hardware. The original hardware was reinstalled using common sizes and types of fastener.		 Wheelhouse / Saloon Door
Wheelhouse / Saloon Door Wheelhouse - After being refinished the Wheelhouse / Saloon door was rehung
Wheelhouse ~ Center windshield - The bottom part of the center windshield was soft and punkey and visibly rotting.  Water was leaking into the Saloon below from the bottom sides of the frame. The entire bottom part of the center windshield needed to be opened up and inspected. All of the molding and bad wood was removed. The entire area cleaned of forty years of compounds and sealers in preparation for installing a new bottom frame member. Center Windshield
Center Windshield Wheelhouse ~ Center windshield - A new piece of bottom mahogany molding was cut and dry fitted to the window frame. Four holes were counter-bored in preparation for sealing and fastening to the window frame.

The sides and bottom of the new mahogany framing were buttered with West System 105 / 205 epoxy that was thickened with West System 404 high-density filler. The epoxy was mixed to the consistency of peanut butter and forced into every nook and cranny. The molding was then screwed down with stainless steel screws and the excess cleaned up before the epoxy set-up.

 Abandoned screw holes were re-drilled and then 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.
Wheelhouse ~ Center windshield - The glass was refitted and bedded in BoatLIFE Life Seal polyurethane and silicone. The excess sealant was removed from the seams and the glass cleaned. The stainless steel molding was reinstalled using uniform type and size stainless steel screws. Finally the outer metal frame was cleaned and the polished. During the next yard period the paint work will be repaired. Center Windshield
Wheelhouse Starboard Wheelhouse ~ Name board - The Port and Starboard "Independence " 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.

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

 The exposed wood was stained using 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 with a cotton towel.

The wood was sealed with three applications of West System 105 / 207 epoxy. (The 207 hardener dries to a clear finish.) The first coat was thinned 100% by volume. The viscosity of the second coat was thinned 50%. The last coat was not thinned at all. The epoxy was thinned with lacquer thinner and rolled on with a foam 1/8” foam nap roller and tipped with a foam brush to remove any bubbles. This process allowed the epoxy to slowly seep-into and seal the wood. After drying, the hardened epoxy was smoothed using 220-grit sandpaper. The whited-out epoxy was then vacuumed and wiped-down with a cotton towel and paint thinner.

The wood was then 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.
Wheelhouse - The Wheelhouse sides were re-fiberglassed and faired out and then painted with US Paint Awl-Grip, Snow White paint. Bob Bothum of LPX Sales & Service supplied the new "Chris * Craft" name hardware. The refinished name boards were reinstalled using #10 stainless screws and finish washers. Wheelhouse Starboard
Side lights Wheelhouse ~ Roof lights - The large under roof 32-vdc lights provided night light to the side doorway and deck. The general condition of the lights was poor. The decision was made to replace the original lights with new 12-vdc LED lights.
Wheelhouse ~ Roof lights - A plug was cut to fit the roof opening of the old lights. The plug was secured with West System 105 / 205 epoxy that was thickened with West System 404 high-density filler. The epoxy was mixed to the consistency of peanut butter and applied to the plug and opening. After the epoxy had dried the roof was sanded with 120-grit sandpaper. New holes were drilled in the roof for the new LED lights. Side lights
Side lights Wheelhouse ~ Roof lights - The new LED lights were installed with new 14/2 marine wire. The lights provided a soft even light on the side deck and washed the side wall of the wheelhouse.
Wheelhouse ~ Headliner - Work proceeded in the Wheelhouse with the installation of the headliner.

Backer boards were first installed along the centerline of the overhead that would be used to secure the dome lights.

A 1/2" hole was drilled along the centerline in each roof beam for the new 14-2 marine safety duplex wiring that was being installed for the new dome lights.

The electronics box was dropped and rested on milk crates so as not to strain the wiring.

 The decision was made to use Nautolex - bright white, no foam backing, perforated vinyl marine headliner. The vinyl is a tough, durable stain resistant material.. The decision was also taken to hold the new headliner in place with monel staples.

Installing a suspended headliner is a job that requires a great deal of patience. A local person with years of experience in installing marine headliners was asked to cut, fit and install the new headliner. The work started at the at the front windshield and proceeded aft.

 High / Low intensity lights were then connected and fastened to the backer boards under the headliner.		 Headliner
Headliner Wheelhouse ~ Headliner - The decision was made to use Nautolex - bright white, no foam backing, perforated vinyl marine headliner. The vinyl is a tough, durable stain resistant material.. The decision was also taken to hold the new headliner in place with monel staples.

Installing a suspended headliner is a job that requires a great deal of patience. A local person with years of experience in installing marine headliners was asked to cut, fit and install the new headliner. The work started at the at the front windshield and proceeded aft.

 High / Low intensity lights were then connected and fastened to the backer boards under the headliner.
Wheelhouse ~ Headliner - High / Low intensity lights were then connected and fastened to the backer boards under the headliner.

 New mahogany molding strips were cut to the standard Chris*Craft size of 1/4" x 1". With the wood rough cut, the molding was dry fitted and pre-drilled for fastening. One edge of the wood was rounded-over with a 1/2" round-over bit. A Dremmel contour sander was used to smooth the rounded edge of the new molding. The front face was faired using 120 and then 220-grit sandpaper producing a clean smooth finish.

The wood was smoothed using 120 and then 220-grit sandpaper producing a clean smooth finish. After sanding, the woodwork was stained using 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 with a cotton towel.

 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 finished molding was installed using a 1' screw pattern and secured with # 6 - ¾” stainless steel screws and finish washers.		 Headliner