Heartland Classics

Restoration Workshop 2010

KP — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:03:28 +0000

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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1959 Riva Ariston #219

KP — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:45:51 +0000

by Dan Diehl
In 2009 I went to the Tavares boat show looking for information on restoring my 21’ Cobra. Terry Fiest had his beautifully restored Cobra at the show and I thought I would take pictures of it to help with my project. After finding many of the parts I needed at the show’s swap meet and getting my pictures of Terry’s boat, I was feeling pretty good about my Cobra. My friend Clay Thompson, a knowledgeable and prolific restorer of wooden boats, and I headed for the docks to see the boats that were there for the show. As it turns out, the Marque Class group for the ’09 show was the Riva series of boats. Clay is also an owner of a Riva Aquarama and a Riva 1959 Tritone. When we walked out on the dock, there was an Ariston on each side of the walkway. I was spellbound. I’ve always thought the Cobra had the best lines of any boat ever built but when I saw the Ariston, I put it at the top next to the Cobra. In my mind, these are the two most beautiful boats ever made. Right there, that day, I knew I had to have an Ariston.

I’m the kind of guy who loves a project. All of my boats are “near basket cases” when I acquire them. Well, try to find a junked out Ariston! There aren’t many. After looking on the internet for several months, both in the US and in other parts of the world, I was having no luck at finding a project Ariston and was getting more and more discouraged.
One night Clay called me to tell me about a project Ariston he found on Peter Mellon’s Antique Boat America website. I immediately called Peter and he made arrangements with the owner in Houston for me to take a look. My wife, Alicia, and I flew from Tulsa to see it. It was truly a “milamore” boat. That means it looks good from a mile or more. It was discouraging at first but it did have most of the hardware with it. Alicia said it was a boat with “lots of potential but not much else”. The only thing keeping it in one piece was the fiberglass someone had put on the outside of it years ago in an attempt at “restoration”. Peter did a great job of negotiating the deal and a week later Alicia and I drove down to trailer it home. This Ariston, #219, was one of the first three boats brought to the United States by Carlo Riva in 1959 for the Miami Boat Show. As it turns out, Clay’s Tritone is one of the other Rivas brought to that show. What are the odds of that? Both, though, are in TERRIBLE shape. We just couldn’t resist the urge to get the boats together again after 50 years for some pictures. So, on our way home, we took a long detour to Clay’s home in Altus, Oklahoma to re-unite these two potentially gorgeous boats. We took pictures, ate dinner with Clay and his wife Patty and were off to Tulsa. Now the real fun begins.

Many thanks go out to Peter Mellon and Clay Thompson for finding the boat for us. I mostly want to thank my wife Alicia, for having enough faith in me to help make it happen.

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1957 14′ YELLOW JACKET Riviera Deluxe

KP — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:54:19 +0000

FOR SALE: 1957 14′ Yellow Jacket Riviera Deluxe, 1958 35 HP Johnson Model RDS-20 and original trailer with new axle, wheels and tires. New decks, original colors and decals, 10 coats Epifanes Varnish. Restoration just completed.

Located at Table Rock Lake, Missouri

Don Parker
Email (donaldwparker@hotmail.com) donaldwparker (at) hotmail (dot) com
or call (402) 770-5400 or (417) 739-2124.

$6,750

ACBS 2009 in Muskoka

KP — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 23:03:42 +0000

Ten Heartland Chapter members attended the 8th Annual International Show and Meeting in Gravenhurst, Ontario, on Lake Muskoka hosted by the Toronto Chapter. BEAUTIFUL

Two full days of pre-event on-the-water tours of boat houses showed participants awesome collections of Canadian mahogany and chrome.

Big Thom, owned by John and Carolynn Thompson, was the one Heartland boat in attendance. The canvas top was SO welcome during the periodic drizzle and rain. Steve and Jeff Silverthorne, brothers from Toronto, joined the Thompsons to add local stories and directions during the cruises.
Don and Kathy Parker join the crew to enjoy lunch on the dock of a boat house. We all enjoyed lounging in the “Muskoka Chairs”.
Inside the boat houses we saw wall to wall mahogany, mostly Canadian creations preserved from the first half of the twentieth century.
The boathouses also displayed collections of classic boating memorabilia.
There was business to tend to, also. Pictured here are Secretary Teri Hoffman, Treasurer Jim Mersman, and President Dick Werner. One item of business led to the decision to have the 2012 International Show and Meeting at Table Rock Lake hosted by the Heartland Classics Chapter.

The Heartland Classics members in attendance, Forrest & Kally Bryant, Jim & Marilyn Conner, Bob & Linda Kanak, Don & Kathy Parker, John & Carolynn Thompson, had a great time and will have beautiful memories of Muskoka.
~~~ some pictures contributed by Steve Silverthorn

1956 17′ Custom Chris Craft Sportsman

KP — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:58:27 +0000

Hull # CC-17-2186
Delivered new to:
Cain Chris-Craft Sales, 4820 N.W. 10th St., Oklahoma City, OK February 1956
Original Power - KLC - 120 HP replaced with 1955 or 1956 Ford 272 “Y” block 8 with dual Carter Carbs (repair kit tab - 272-23405)

PROJECT FOR SALE

Currently in shop, upside down, bottom removed frome chine to chine. General condition of hull is good considering age, no apparent twist or “hogging” of hull. Water damage to forward deck area and stem.

Health issues have forced me to give up project restoration and sell boat as is. I have not yet put an asking price as it would depend on interest of buyer. Boat is located in Wellington, KS. (25 mi S of Wichita)

More information and pictures available by e-mail: johnjtboat@sbcglobal.net

Grand Lake 2009

KP — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:38:10 +0000

Classic Boats came from the Heartland and to the Heartland for a Grand Boat Show on Grand Lake of the Cherokees in northeastern Oklahoma, Sept. 10-13, 2009.

Enjoy a quick review of the boats.

Grand Lake Show Chairman Darren Arnold

Grooming for a show means washing off the road grime after a trip from Colorado for Bob and Chris Ann Braaf.

Friday’s evening cruise took participants to Bob and Linda Kanak’s boathouse and a scrumptious meal and tour of their boathouse cabins filled with classic boating memorabilia.

Saturday allowed time to visit with friends, go for boat rides, judging, and to speculate about how many of the eggs would really hatch.

Sunday lunch also brought the delivery of door prizes, show trophies, and a heartwarming speech by Chris Smith, grandson of the founder of Chris Craft Boats. Many of us now own An Odyssey, A Collection of Short Stories compiled by Joy Smith, his daughter who was also at the boat show.

There’s nothing quite like the sharing of boating memories, the tales of essentials lost and found, and the expectations of future classic events.

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‘09 BEAVER LAKE RENDEZVOUS

KP — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:56:22 +0000

The Natural State provided the perfect scenario for a boating rendezvous. Beaver Lake in northwest Arkansas was made even more beautiful by ten classic boats cruising on a day of perfect weather – blue sky, very light breeze, and 80 degrees.

Those boats rolled in from Kansas, Missouri, Texas, and Oklahoma to join the classics boaters who call Beaver Lake, Arkansas, their home port.

Points of interest included a waterfall to cruise under, . . .

. . . a quiet cove for a refreshing dip or a place to lounge in the sun, . . .

. . . and time for lots of pictures.

Guy McCullum in his “red and white” rounded up the crews and headed them to his home dock where he and Jacque hosted a “Texas style BBQ”.

The day was filled with meeting old and new friends, discovering new classic boats, good food, and of course, lots of talk about boats.

Thanks, Guy and Jacque, for planning and hosting a fun event.

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2009 Classics Cruisin’ Table Rock

KP — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:10:36 +0000

Classics Cruisin’ Table Rock June 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 2009

‘09 Classics Cruisin’ Table Rock Lake

KP — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:38:20 +0000

Nothing could be finer than Cruisin’ Table Rock Lake in Classic Boats,

topped off by the best of Ozark cookin’.

67 people
from 14 states
in 27 classic boats
= a funtastic weekend !

Rock Lane Marina served as “home port” for the weekend.

Friday’s cruise went west on the lake and then returned for dinner at the Ozark Yacht Club served by the Moist family.

The perrenial self-designated chow line leader.

Old friends and new friends enjoyed visiting, celebrating and learning together.

Saturday was a two-state cruise into Arkansas and back.

Saturday evening’s amazing meal was provided by the Thompsons at their lake home. Every room is a museum of classic boat parts displayed with warmth and creativity.

What a View!

Sunday Morning was the cruise to Big Cedar for Brunch and a last visit with friends before leaving for home.

Thanks for all of the pictures sent in by:
John Thompson, Nicki Thompson, Todd Cushing, Mark Robson, Jan Hinton, Forrest Bryant and Don Parker

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Eureka! We Made It!

KP — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 02:59:09 +0000

Cruisin' to Holiday Island

The 2009 Table Rock Pre-Event was a success. Ten classic boats with 26 people left the east end of Table Rock Lake in Missouri on Wednesday, June 3rd, stopped for lunch at Campbell Point, then cruised on to Holiday Island in Northwest Arkansas. Though the skies were threatening, there was no rain and just a bit of wind making it easy to enjoy the beautiful scenery along the route of the White River.

Frechette's Moxie

26 Pre-Event Cruisers

After 54 miles on the water we transferred to “chartered transportation” up into classic Eureka Springs and the 104 year old Basin Park Hotel.

Eating, walking, shopping and visiting filled the overnight stay until we returned to the marina for the cruise back to Rock Lane Resort making it a 108 mile roundtrip.

Staging for Return Trip

Back at Rock Lane we all enjoyed an Italian dinner and began greeting the rest of the weekend cruisin’ friends.

Captains' Table