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Chris Craft
Parts, Supplies, and Accessories
Because there are easily over 60,000 items available and we get a few hundred a week on the online store you may need to give us a call and we will assist you in solving your problems and finding the right part for your vintage or other watercraft! Not only will you be getting parts and supplies shipped to your home but you will also be getting outstanding service for the same price and many times for less! We have Engine parts, safety related items, waterskis, wakeboards, refinishing supplies, marine cook stoves, wet suits, soup, nuts, whiskey, bongo drums and nails! - you name it we can get it!
We also stock approximately 2000 board feet of African Mahogany, Philippine Mahogany and White Oak and a line of indispensable tools for the do-it-yourselfers!
We are the lowest cost supplier for your stainless steel fastening needs!
And remember, because of our Kentucky sales tax laws, if we ship out of state we collect no sales tax with no funny business! Depending on the size of your order we can often times save you money on shipping costs as well!
Putting your boat up for the season
News Letters
Woodies Restorations Newsletter
September 2010
Building Memories
Family Boat Building Experience
2-1/2 days of supervised, structured, Boat building with your family
Your family starts at 6:00pm on Friday and leaves with one of these at 3:00PM on Sunday Afternoon!
As Featured in Wood Workers Journal Magazine!
Next Event - JANUARY 21,22,and 23, 2011
It is just about time to put the toys up for the season and begin to prepare for next years season. Once again we have packed our newsletter with tips to help you have a trouble free season with your classic boat. While the boats rest most of us don't we have maintenance varnish work to do, tired upholstery to update, engines to winterize, or maybe it is time for an overhaul for better performance. We will teach you how to give your engine and transmission a check up to determine its health and how much life it has left.
Since the holiday season is approaching we have gift ideas for Christmas wish list too!
As usual, along the way we are going to sprinkle in some announcements about some exciting changes here at Woodies Restorations. Changes that are being made to serve you better!
Hard to find Materials
Like what materials?
Tango Red upholstery material
We were fortunate to find Tango Red vinyl under some vinyl on a 1958 Silver Arrow (hull #3) that had been protected from the sun for its entire life. We researched what was being used for Tango Red by getting samples from all over the United States and got everything from soup to nuts from lots of really well respected shops. Bottom line was that no one material was being used for the Tango Red and no one could match it with the right color and the "smokey" overlay. We found a vinyl manufacturer that has reproduced the Tango Red for us. We now are the ONLY known source of Tango Red ... in the world.
Tango Red was used extensively in the late 50s and early 60s, Silver Arrow, Capri, Sportsman, Continental, 58 and 59 Semi Enclosed, the Cadet and Clipper cruisers, 57-59 Commuter and 57-58 Sports Express and others
This activity was featured in Wood Workers Journal and we have had inquiries from families all over the nation!
We have had families come to the build from as far away as Wisconsin!
Our Next session is quickly filling up!
We have one family from Memphis TN and another from Colorado that is building two boats!
Don't be too late to sign up!
Click here to be contacted for this event!
If any of you have ever heard Chris tell his stories of life in the family and the factories of the Largest Builder of Motorboats in the World then you have missed out on some great and humorous history lessons, and just some plain old fashioned wisdom about life!
Whenever Chris has spoken to an event people wonder and ask "Is anyone writing this down?" For years no one did, but now Chris's daughter, Joy. HAS written it down and a book of Chris's stories is available on our online store for $25.00 + 4.95 shipping and handling! Learn more about the family that built your Chris Craft. If you have a cruiser it is likely Chris actually managed its construction!
Click this link to put yourself on a mailing list concerning this event. This will ensure you get the latest and greatest information as the event plans unfold!
270-866-2628 [email protected]
White flooring for the 1967 Super Sport and others - coming soon
Once we found a manufacturer of the vinyl we needed we are in the process of reproducing the flooring pictured below for 3 boats currently.. One in Indiana, one in our shop here in South Central Kentucky and one in Kansas City, Mo. Can we supply you with new material for your boat?
Period Correct Throttle Cables
We looked and looked for period correct aircraft throttle cables for a recent restoration and found they are no longer made as the old style was no longer FAA approved. So armed with a bad cable but correct knob and button we have had a CNC machine shop produce a program to copy the parts and produce them for us. We have a cable company that produces the cable and we assemble the new cables right here in Kentucky. We are currently working diligently to reduce the cost of these cables but for period correct restorations we now have the cables available - call for recent pricing as we hope to reduce the cost of this cable soon! NO..... for now they are not inexpensive ... we are trying though! Do not call unless you have had a recent physical! It may also help to have some Kenny G playing, and a glass of good wine. Candles wouldn't hurt either. Maybe some aroma therapy. the issue we are working on is finding a cable mfg other than AIRCRAFT. Since a throttle cable failure in a plane may be life threatening those cables are EXPENSIVE.
We can reproduce a vinyl product for you! And yes we can do small production runs! These runs do require substantial lead time.
Fall Layup
The steps to a fall layup
- Change engine oil - pay attention to the plate on the engine that calls out what weight of oil to use!
- Fog engine with oil
- Drain water or pump or pull in antifreeze to the engine
- Remove and store battery
- Plug Exhaust pipes
- Drain fuel system? or fill?
- Fuel Additive?
- Cover Flame Arrestor
- Cover / plug fuel tank vent
- Cover with paint any blemishes in the engine paint
- Leave reverse gear in neutral position during storage
When (and when not) and why (and why not) follow the procedure
When not?
There may be a few cases in which you won't need to lay your engine up for the winter:
- Maybe you don't have a winter - maybe you live in the south where you can use your boat year round
- Maybe you live in Kentucky and are just a little crazy and want to boat on the one or two warm and sunny days that occur each month throughout the winter - even though the water temperature is in the high 30 degree range! Yes, my son and I water skied each and every month one year! The coldest water was 37-1/2 degrees Fahrenheit.
- If you can store indoors and have some assurance that even in a power failure the engine will stay warm AND you intend to use it throughout the winter months.
When then?
- For EVERY other situation we suggest you follow the lay up procedure - Including any time you intend to leave the boat layed up for an extended period of time - more than 3 months summer or winter!
How to
- Change oil
- Run the engine with cooling water attached either through a plunger looking unit called Fake-a-lake.
- Warm the engine (and engine oil) to operating temperature.
- Then remove the oil with a oil pump that sucks the oil through the dipstick tube.
- Also on Paragon Manual Reverse Gears! Remove the top plate and suck the oil out of the transmission - the transmission runs in engine oil!
- Change the oil filter (if so equipped)
- The changing of the oil will eliminate the danger of acids forming in the oil which might do damage to the bearings during storage.
- Fog Engine
- While running the engine at approximately 1000 RPM and with the carburetor flame arrestor off, either use the fancy expensive fogging oil that comes in an aerosol can or pour into the carburetor throat, not more than 4 oz. (1/2 cup) of clean heavy engine oil.
- Feed the oil through the carburetor in such a manner that the engine does not stall.
- Turn off the ignition right away after the all the oil has been poured in to retain lubrication.
- The oil will be distributed through the combustion chamber and passageways, providing a protective coating on internal engine parts!
- Drain water from block or pull in antifreeze
- Just draining the block and manifolds does not protect them from corrosion as the corrosion inhibitor in antifreeze does.
- So, You know..... I have for years done this....
- I pull a gallon of antifreeze into the engine by placing a bucket next to the engine and pulling the hoses off the through hull at the bottom of the boat and placing them in the bucket. I start the engine and pull the antifreeze into the engine using the raw water pump. Stop the engine before the bucket is empty!!!!!!! Then I mix another couple of gallons of antifreeze with water at the concentration that provides the maximum freeze protection. (usually a 50% / 50% mix of water and antifreeze that provides protection to about -40 degrees F. ) Nowadays you can purchase the antifreeze pre -mixed! Then I start then engine again and pull the antifreeze mix in until I see the antifreeze exit the exhaust pipes.
- You may wish to drain the block, manifolds, and heat exchangers (oil coolers ) also as an additional precautionary measure especially if your boat will experience something near or lower than the temperature the antifreeze mix is rated for.
- Don't forget to winterize water tanks, water systems, water coupled heat pumps and so forth if you have a cruiser!
- Cautions!!!
- Clean up any spills to protect pets from drinking the spilled antifreeze ! It is poison!
- You may wish to use Sierra or some other environmentally sound antifreeze instead of ethylene glycol.
- Study the disposal requirements for the antifreeze you use and make sure it is OK for the antifreeze to go in the lake next spring... or plan to start your engine in the driveway using a fake a lake and dispose of the antifreeze using an approved method.
- Remove and store battery
- OK, maybe you don't have to remove.... I would only store in place if you have a good plastic battery box to protect the hull of your boat (fasteners mainly ) from battery acid if the battery were to boil over.
- Remove your battery cables from the battery
- Occasionally apply a charger (say 1X per month ) to keep the battery charged. Before starting the next season test your battery under load (there are testers you can purchase or maybe borrow for this)
- If you remove your battery from the boat then don't keep it on concrete... actually our battery supplier says this is an old wives tale. I say, why take chances - I store in the boat.
- Plug exhaust pipes
- I have seen small animals make nests in the exhausts and fill them with nuts... that is I have cleaned that crap out of a number of exhausts!
- Just wrap with a heavy plastic and tape around the pipe.
- Drain Fuel System / Add fuel additive
- We drain only the carburetor and the spin on fuel filters, not the fuel tank. The fuel tank is filled and an additive is poured into the tank. Today's fuels have ethanol in them which readily mixes with water. In fact, it will mix / adsorb water from the air that may enter through your fuel tank vent.
- Last year I forgot to drain my carburetor and this spring I had a float in my Carter WCFB that was partially filled with gasoline, causing my engine not to run right. The float chamber had to much fuel in it! The float wasn't cheap either!
- You should use a fuel additive and there are additives on the market with these features:
- Reduces all emissions
- Prevents fuel oxidation and stabilizes fuel chemistry for at least 1 year
- Lowers fuel system maintenance
- Eliminates carbon build-up in fuel delivery system and on exhaust components
- Increases fuel economy, especially in older engines. Instantly cures fuel jelling caused by cold weather and E10---alcohol fuels.
- Cover Flame Arrestor
- No that thing on the carburetor is not an air cleaner! It is a flame Arrestor!
- Cover it with plastic and put a rubber band around it to hold it in place around the carburetor
- I know... seems like overkill, but what if .... you have a water leak in the building you are storing your boat in, maybe a garage under a bathroom where pipes could break. - I like to leave my engine hatch open to provide good ventilation for the hull.
- Cover or plug Fuel Tank Vent
- I purchased a boat plug like is used for john boat drain plugs. I use it when I transport my 1960 Capri to keep fuel from sloshing out of the vent and damaging the varnish. For storage, I loosen the fuel filler cap (ever so slightly) - approximately 1/4 turn and then plug the vent with the boat plug. You tank must vent when on the water as temperatures change from morning to night and the boat is using fuel. When stored the tank still needs to vent, however not at the rate it needs to when the boat is in service. Therefore I just loosen the filler cap slightly to accomplish this.
- Touch up paint any blemishes on your engine
- Protect your engine from rusting!
- Leave Reverse Gear in Neutral during storage
Contact us and we can provide you with a customized winterization kit which can include all or part of the list below
- Engine oil and filter
- Fogging oil
- Antifreeze
- A battery maintainer
- Spin on Fuel filter / water separator
- Fuel additive
- Fuel tank vent plug
Contact us
270-866-BOAT (2628)
866-921-BOAT (2628)
Preliminary steps BEFORE a fall layup
- Inspect your boat trailer!
- Will it get your boat home from the marina?
- Check and Repack your wheel bearings (or take to the local tire store and have them check and repack them with grease)
- Is it time to replace your trailer lights and wiring?
- How does the bunk carpeting look? Does it protect the bottom of the hull ok or is it threadbare and the bottom is rubbing wood on wood?
- Give your boat an overall check up - Make a maintenance plan
- Does your bilge pump run excessively? Are your rudder and prop shaft packings leaking or do you need hull repair
- Do you have good water flow from the engine / both sides of engine if V8? Do you need a new water pump impeller or maybe it is time to rebuild the pump? Does it leak?
- Do you have any tapping sounds from under the valve covers of V8s?
- Do you have any unexplained noises from your transmission(s)?
- What is the condition of your exhaust hose / pipes / fittings?
- What is the condition of your hoses and belts on the engine(s)?
- DO A COMPRESSION TEST EVERY YEAR! What is the condition of the engine internals? How much engine life do you have left? Should you rebuild? Do you have a major engine problem or a simple problem with ignition or fuel systems?
- Have you had trouble with water or sediment in the fuel this last season - do you have a spin on water separating fuel filter yet?
- How does your varnish look. Should you do or have a maintenance coat of varnish done for you this year?
- How does the upholstery look? Tired or great?
- Are gauges functional and easy to read or should you consider a rebuild this year? Remember the gauges are a "window" in which you can asses the condition of the engine based on oil pressures, temperatures etc. A gauge that is not reading properly can make the difference between shutting and engine down to protect it from damage if over temp or if the oil pressure should suddenly plummet OR blowing an engine!
- How is the chrome? Can it be polished up? Make sure you do!
Make your plan, Plan your work, and Work your plan throughout the winter months. You can do the work yourself with or without our guidance, saving yourself a bundle of money and becoming more familiar with your boat! Don't wait until spring and have to get in a hurry - costs escalate then! There is a cost associated with being in a hurry!
Aluminum Trim
We looked and looked for aluminum trim that goes on the interior panels of the Silver Arrow against the floor. We checked around and EVEN called another restorer who has done Silver Arrows before. We were told "forget about it, straighten and polish what you have" Well it wasn't in very good shape and it was going to be very expensive to polish. Not to mention if we polish we have to take off the anodizing and it won't look original. So we didn't take no for an answer and low and behold look at what we found!
Boats FOR SALE
We have been VERY successful placing sellers with buyers and enabling transactions!
List your boat with us for only $100 until the boat sells! No broker fees!
Your hard to find item!
We have eight Wholesale suppliers. One of which has a past employee from the parts department at Chris Craft! We have people that cast metal, make windshields, vinyl, marine woods, tools, and more. Put us to work solving your problems! Just give us a call toll free 866-921-BOAT (2628) or email us!
Christmas Ideas
Chris Smith, Grandson of the founder of Chris Craft
The only remaining family member to have worked in the factory!
Wooden Pens Made from wood of your boat!
Your Woodie is close to your heart isn't it? Why not keep part of it there.... in your shirt pocket! It uses a cross pen refill and comes with one Medium Black ink refill installed!
Only $50 for the pen
$15 for the optional case!
+ tax and shipping
Here is how we do this together:
- Get a piece of scrap wood from your boat after some wood replacement has been done. The piece should be a minimum of at least 6" long and 3/4" wide and 3/4" thick. If the pieces you have are thinner, glue them up to make them the minimum 3/4" thick, or send them to us and we will glue them up.
- Ship it to us at:
- Woodies Restorations 653 Lakeway Dr. Russell Springs KY 42642 (attn Close to the Heart)
- We will call you and get your credit card information
- Wait 2 weeks
- Open the package, check it out, Write your loved ones card with it!
- Put it in the OPTIONAL rosewood case
- Wrap and put under the Christmas Tree!
Pretty simple!
Tools for the Woodworker!
No this isn't a Phillips bit... this is a R&P or Frearson bit.Chris Craft didn't use Phillips head fasteners! Are you getting frustrated by spin out of your bit in the heads of your silicon bronze fasteners?
Once a head on a fastener is spun out it is tough to get the fastener out. These Grabits change that . One end drills a cylindrical hole in the fastener and the other is a form of easy out. Both work in your drill while it is in reverse.
One other method of removing troublesome screws is to core around the fastener. These Un-screw-ems go in your drill and do just that when the drill is in reverse. Unscrewing the fastener! Available in many sizes!
Sharpen your chisels and Plane irons from "hammered doggy doo" to razor sharp in just a few minutes!!!!!!
"I used to HATE using planes and chisels .... now I LOVE using them and see them as time savers!"
Sharpen your broken drill bits and make yourself a set of stubby bits.
Sharpen your dull bits! Don't purchase new bits! Sharpen all the old bits you have laying around. Does left hand bits too!
Featured project boat! 1959 Penn Yan
We are seeing a surge in the number of outboards people are restoring - they are more affordable alternatives to the restoration of a runabout or utility and just as much fun. They are smaller projects, making them ideal for the do it yourselfer that doesn't want to take on a project the size of a runabout or utility. So the boat we feature is a small outboard!
I have taken a quick look at the boat and SAW no rot. The price includes the trailer, and all the interior wood etc. It appears this project is just a cosmetic restoration, then just add and engine and water!
See more here http://woodiesrestorations.com/WB-1959-Penn-Yan.html
Times are tough and your boat COULD end up taking a back seat in this economy. Consider outfitting your boat this Christmas as a present to you and your family instead of waiting until spring!...when we can only hope the economy is better!
Treat yourself to The Best Varnish Ever for Christmas!
Our varnish room specifications
- SIZE
- A whopping 54' X 16' with 12 foot wide 13-6" high door
- TEMPERATURE CONTROL - HVAC SYSTEM
- Hepa filtered at base rate 24hrs per day 7 days per week
- HVAC system double HEPA filtered
- HUMIDITY CONTROLLED
- LIGHTING
- 2400 watts of Metal Halide light
- White floor, sidewalls and ceiling
- STATIC ELECTRICITY CONTROLLED! Yes, that is what I said!
More Hard to find Materials!
Alternators that look like Generators
These bolt up right where your generator bolted up on your 6 cylinder engines
Brown Windshield Rubber
Commonly thought to be unavailable, and only available in white. New material currently available in limited quantities! New soft supple rubber in brown.
Alternators
Will Charge your battery at idle speed
This alternator has a built in voltage regulator
This alternator supplies much more charging current
Generators
Generators WON"T charge at idle
Required external regulator
Charges at limited amps - 8 amps is common
Windshields
We can have a new windshield made to order to match your existing one.
NEW
We are dealers for
We have the trailer to fit your Budget and Needs!
USED
Two currently in stock
Tarpon - Aluminum
10,000lb capacity for up to a 30 foot boat
Oh by the way the 30 foot boat is FREE if you want it!
WE WILL REFURBISH YOURS!
BEFORE
AFTER
AFTER
AFTER This trialer was a gimme... "haul it off!" We
Sandblasted, painted, put new aluminum Wheels on, put new fenders, light kit, spring bushings and welded the axles, installed new bearings, installed new bunks and bunk carpeting.
.Venture - Aluminum
12,600 lb capacity for up to a 33 foot boat
Other Great FREE Reading
Silver Arrow Ski Pole
Sorry, we can't show you the ski pole yet. The owner of the pole we are copying has forbidden us to show a picture ....yet. Once the development and pricing is complete you can see what you are purchasing!
*** For now we just need to know how much interest there is in having copies made!!!*****
Submarine for sale!
Call for details and pricing
