Heartland Classics

2010 Workshop Report

Event Chairman Dan Diehl put together a whole day of valuable information sharing about restoring and maintaining classic boats. The workshop was held in Brent Howard’s shop in Langley, OK. Forty-three old boat enthusiasts learned from the experts and shared their own knowledge in discussions.

Larry Hinton, Moore, OK, reviewed boat trailer safety and illustrated his presentation with the good, the bad, and the ugly of trailering boats. Larry made us think through the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) of our trailers which needs to accommodate the boat. Tongue weight should equal 10 to 15% of total weight. New LED lights are available which are brighter and sealed as all connections should be sealed. Tires need to be run at full inflation and then elevated off the floor when stored between seasons. Check lug nuts and make sure the wrench and trailer jack both fit. Wheel bearings need to be thoroughly checked each year and especially on a brand new trailer. Make sure your vehicle’s transmission is adequate for the tow job. It’s a good idea to inspect and make any repairs to the trailer at the end of a trip before putting it away.


Clay Thompson, Altus, OK, and Steve Spinharney, Tulsa, OK, teamed up to demonstrate how to plank, groove and caulk the seams on a boat deck. Clay explained that Chris Craft and others began doing the grooves in the deck to replicate the cedar strip planks that were so beautiful. At first they were brown and then about 1931, the grooves were caulked with a light color. Clay took us through examining a piece from an old deck to study the placement of grooves and hardware – most important in reproduction. He demonstrated how to cut the grooves using a table saw.

Steve then demonstrated using a Fien MultiMaster tool to cut old caulk out of and clean the old grooves. He then showed how to push or pull the caulk gun with 3M caulk (not 5200) beginning on the groove which is the farthest to reach.

Steve used a product called “SLICK” which is a super wetting agent from ABC Window Cleaner (800-989-4003) on his fingers when he smoothed the caulk and cleaned the edges. The caulk then did’t stick to his finger or lift the caulk at the end.

Dan Diehl, Jenks, OK, and Dave Lundy from Howard Classic Boats had the wood steam box going at 212?. Dan needed some Beachwood bent for his current Riva restoration. The 3/8” thick wood had been soaked and then steamed. It took six men to quickly place, bend, and clamp the wood around the form Dan had constructed. We’ll all be eager to see that in place.

A great lunch was catered and served by Pensacola Pizza & Pasta. Ummm. Especially the homemade cobbler! These sponsors donated products for door prizes given out during the lunch break: Empire Fixture Co. – Tulsa, OK, Howard Classic Boats – Langley, OK, Jones Hardware – Ketchum, OK, Paints Plus – Stover, MO, West Marine – Tulsa, OK. THANKS!

Don Ayers, Edmond, OK, talked about the importance of sharpening tool blades – “The sharper, the safer!” He demonstrated his “low tech” method of having various grits, (ie. 220, 400, 600, 2500) of sandpaper glued to a large pane of ½” thick float glass. He used a Veritas Honing Guide (Woodcraft, $45) to set the blade at the correct angle and then repeatedly (200 -300 times/grit) stroked it on the sandpaper starting with the coarsest. Don also showed the more “High Tech” diamond faced plates to use instead of the sandpaper.
Jim Blake, a mentor of Don Ayers, demonstrated how to use a small paint pin striping tool. He used sign painters enamel for the white stripe over dark seam filler. He recommended varnishing two coats over the dark seam caulk before applying the white seam paint.

Bob Blonstein of Paints Plus, Stover, MO, showed new products for use in restoration. He advocates using catalyzed products for a much more durable job. Just a few of his new favorites are Interlux catalyzed wood sealer which is urethane based to use over stain, Interlux 2-part interior white primer and white finish to use in an engine compartment or inside of a cabin, Resto Motive Glisten which is a 2-part clearcoat sealer for polished metal surfaces, and an interior fuel tank sealer for steel and aluminum by Resto Motive. These products can all be ordered from Paints Plus, 800-472-4551. Bob not only supplies products, but provides great advice! Paints Plus supports Heartland Classics by advertising in Mahogany & Chrome.

Bob Kanak, Fort Smith, AR, showed several model boats he had made. He told how he scaled the measurements of his own boat and used digital photos to even produce the miniature decals. Many of the materials he used can be obtained through hobby stores and also applying a vivid imagination and creativity. A Dremal tool with a flexible shaft is essential along with three different super glue viscosities.

This report is just a small bit of the information shared. But now you know some of the experts to seek out when you are ready to plan your next restoration or maintenance project.

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