Project Details

The Happy Hour, 1969 Chris Craft Commander

This classic wood vessel required extensive repairs and cosmetic work. There was bad wood in numerous areas from the keel to the coach deck. At some point in its life, repairs were completed using sub-standard materials resulting in even more damage including fungus rot plus termite and worm invasion. Cosmetic repairs included all new paint, varnish, headliner, inside trim, carpet, hatch combings and more.

As evidenced by the pictures, worms had eaten through the worm shoe into the keel as well as some minimal damage at the chine and chine strake. The A/C condensation caused rot around the hatch in which it was placed as well as requiring repair to the coach deck itself. The starboard cabin side had a small (6 inch) bad spot that when addressed, ended up a major repair including the window frame, cabin wall, aft cabin structure, side deck. The plywood used for a previous repair was completely hollow from termite damage. Other smaller areas of damage were addressed.

All wood, existing and new, mahogany and ply was treated with Smith’s Penetrating Epoxy before paint, varnish or structural epoxy was applied. After repairs, zincs were replaced, the bottom was sanded and painted with three coats of bottom paint. The transom was taken down to bare wood and after which eight coats of Interlux Brightside paint was applied. The freeboard, cabin, decks and fly bridge were all sanded down to 220grit, then primed and painted using Interlux Prekote and Brightside. Bright Work was completed using Epifanes Varnish which was bonded to the Smith’s Penetrating Epoxy. The splash guard on the fly bridge was replaced due to extreme crazing. The teak swim platform had been painted. It was removed, then all that paint was stripped and sanded after which the teak was replenished.

Work completed inside included replacing the headliner, hull liner carpet and fasteners. Trim was either replaced or refurbished. Accomplishing this overall refurbishment required days of removing and reinstalling hardware.

The end result is a gorgeous classic Chris-Craft.