"Matriarch" launched - PHOTOS

[Elcoholic]

After nearly two years of restoration work, "Matriarch" was launched with the aid of a 220-ton crane and beautiful weather. Now 32,000 lbs. lighter from her two-year drying out, she's taking her time soaking up the lake but progressing nicely. For those who remember previous posts during the restoration, the diesels fired off fine, the drive shaft couplings work great and the unorthodox 24KW generating system is nothing short of a floating sub-station!

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/Elcoholic/BoatLaunchSept05054.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/Elcoholic/BoatLaunchSept051123.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/Elcoholic/BoatLaunchSept05125.jpg

[JimD]

Absolutely beautiful!

[Domesticated_Mr. Know It All]

Holy Cow!!!!! :eek:

That's just beautiful. ;) :cool:

[maa. melee]

Truly gorgeous! Congradulations! She's a beauty; I can almost hear the cat calls already smile.gif . Hell, I'd whistle at that belle from the docks too!

[Katherine]

Nice Boat! :cool:

[Paul Denison]

What a beauty! Are you taking clients this fall?

[Victor]

16 tons lighter? :confused:

[Elcoholic]

Bu the way, this restoration included extensive remodeling and the result is that I have a couple hundred pounds of antique boat parts that I don't need....alot of it is really good stuff that's hard to find. I'm not trying to sell here but if you are looking for something in particular, I might be able to help.......cheap to good homes. You can email me directly at elco57@yahoo.com.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/Elcoholic/BoatLaunchSept05118.jpg

[Ian Marchuk]

Absolutely gobsmacked.... Well done.
Best Wishes... Ian

[Ross M]

Incredibly handsome boat. Really!

Ross

[Elcoholic]

Although we'll be cruising this fall with friends and family, the actually cruising business will begin on April 1 at noon. Next month, the maiden voyage will be a black tie affair with a string quartet.

Yes, when delivered, the boat weighed 77,000 lbs. When relaunched, she went just under 45,000.....even with the monster diesels, a 400 lb. generator head and a kitchen full of appliances. Unfortunately, she rides bow-down a little due to having to position the engines 2' forward but that should be remedied with ballast under the aft lazarette.

[Wild Wassa]

Congratulations Skipper, I've enjoyed your postings ... and have been speechless with each of them.

Now is the time to really say, congrats'.

Something moved up that creek of yours quickly, watch that wake.

Warren.

[Elcoholic]

Wakes......some people just don't "get it" and ignore the "no wake" buoys. I've always said that there should be boating "driver's" licenses issued, only after successful completion of a "driver's" test.

Anyway, to combat the idiots, I have purchased three "Tigger Hoppers" at Walmart. They're those balls about 24" in diameter with a built-in handle. These are GREAT fenders and at $9.95 each, a super bargain.

[Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )]

W :rolleyes: W that is some boat. WHOA !!!!!!

[Rick Tyler]

Nice boat!

If only it were two feet longer... :rolleyes:

- Rick

[Elcoholic]

I think two more feet would have been the straw that broke the camel's (my) back, which, by the way, I did last winter when I fell into the bilge and landed on the steel engine support beams.

Here are a few interior shots, for those of you who haven't seen them before.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/Elcoholic/EnginesIn.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/Elcoholic/Nov2004Misc.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/Elcoholic/BoatDecember20040063.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/Elcoholic/BoatDecember20040073.jpg

[willmarsh3]

Losing 32000 lbs... I think I'm in store for a treat - and I was not disappointed in the least. Great work!

Will.

[Elcoholic]

I don't understand why the first photos are so blurry but the next ones are clear. Anyway, I'm posting this one again, using a different system, to see if it's any better. Bear with me............

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/Elcoholic/BoatLaunchSept051182.jpg

[joejapan]

.
.
Jeese she's beautiful ! smile.gif She's as pretty on the inside as she is on the outside. :cool:

How long ?.....two years...? :confused: Damn man, what did you do in your spare time ? ;) It looks like it'd take a lot longer than that just to refurbish the insides.

Yep, she's one beautiful boat and I'm hoping we see nice photos from a wonderful cruise next summer. :D

[Rick Tyler]

Boat porn. Pure boat porn.

[Lucky Luke]

Waouh! this "cave à vins"!!!! A few "Chateaux" and "Champagnes" will be welcome there!...would even tolerate some from Chili (they've got really excellent ones), Australia (for the crew ;) ) , and Kiwi ones (for the connoisseurs!). California.. :confused:

I can foresee a LOT of ballast under the aft lazarette to compensate for that forward :D

Best wishes for the coming cruises, and congratulations for the work :cool: tongue.gif smile.gif

[ 10-18-2005, 12:23 AM: Message edited by: Lucky Luke ]

[westinghouse]

Two years AND a broken back?
I'm struck dumb that's so heroic. Beautiful work.

[Elcoholic]

It's not really all that heroic. It's pragmatic. When you're in really deep financially, there's no choice but to "endeavor to persevere." You either finish the boat or have a Texas A&M type bonfire. Here's a "before" shot:

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/Elcoholic/DSC00848BEFORE.jpg

[Elcoholic]

Lucky Luke: I'm strictly a Chianti Classico Reserva guy myself.......with raw oysters, of course.

We used 2,160 lbs. of ballast under the aft lazarette which lowered the stern 4" and raised the bow 2". That still leaves it 4" high in the stern....still not enough. I'll totally drain the 6" of bilge water in the bow and then mark off a new waterline. Not much else left to do. Repainting the waterline afloat should be interesting.

[L.W. Baxter]

"I think we're gonna need a bigger lake."

... :D

[Wild Dingo]

FLAMIN SHYTE!!!!!!! :eek: Mate!! shes bloody fanfriggintastic! :cool:

Jeeeeeeeezzzzzzzz!! Im totally in awe :cool:

[Leigh]

Mate, you took the words out of my mouth......Strueth! Nice boat!

[Ken Hutchins]

Wow, such a big project and to get it done in 2 years, it sure is beautiful, congratulaions. ;) ;) ;) ;)

[Skiff Junkie]

Beautiful work! Will she be staying on Keowee? I occasionally run my Simmons on Lake Keowee.

[Noah]

Wow!! Good job. She looks wonderful! Have fun with her.

[Gary E]

WOW....WOW
Gee does that look good...I can almost hear those 903's runnin smile.gif

Congratz

[Hal Forsen]

Superfine!!!
:D :D :D
HF

[Alan D. Hyde]

Excellent.

Nonesuch.

Many you both spend many happy years together on the sunny side of the surface. :D

Alan

[Evan Showell]

I sense a future WoodenBoat article on "Matriarch" -- Working title -- "Two Years and A Broken Back later . . ."

[dmede]

smile.gif Very, very nice. Gorgeous boat. Reeks of Gatsby... :D

have fun with her and post some pics in use and underway if you get any.

dave

[Elcoholic]

Thanks to all for the compliments. We managed to do it in two years because I just stopped earning a living and hired my two workers (carpenters) full time. Personally, I put in about 55-60 hrs. per week. Fortunately, I have (had?) considerable equity in my house and a sympathetic banker.

The "shakedown" cruise will be on this Friday. The boat will remain on the lake and the business will be run from the pier shown in the photos however, she'll be under roof.

[brad9798]

WOW!

SPEECHLESS!!!

:eek:

[seawitch1906]

what a fantastic boat ! it is a wine cooler what i saw?

[Elcoholic]

Here's another shot I ran across which shows the helm chair. You might recognize it as a former barber's chair, circa 1905. I threw away all the rotten leather stuffed with moldy straw and horse hair, threw away the framing and the porcelain arm rests and rebuilt it to suit me with Honduran mahogany. It still spins, reclines and pumps up.....a three-way (man)power seat.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/Elcoholic/HelmAugust05.jpg

[Dave Fleming]

SWIMPAL, and I quote, "that boat is to die for".

I second her sentiments.....ACES!

[John B]

Is it what!!

Beautiful boat and fantastic job you've done. :cool:

[Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )]

One word :

OOOOOOFA

I nominate this as top WBF Motorboat build

I nominate Dalia as top WBF Sailboat build.

[Steve McMahon]

Holy Crap!
:eek:
Thats all I can say.

[ssor]

[ Unfortunately, she rides bow-down a little due to having to position the engines 2' forward but that should be remedied with ballast under the aft lazarette.[/QB][/QUOTE]

A wine locker would be good ballast. :D

[formerlyknownasprince]

Great job - I bet you enjoy the fruits of your labours now.

I know what you mean about the $$$$ too (says he having just said yes to another $1,250 chrome plating quote).

Enjoy - and MORE PHOTOS PLEASE

Ian

[Captain Pre-Capsize]

All I can do is sigh... Wow!

[Bob Smalser]

Too awesome for words.

Congrats.

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

WOW... that's some boat. Thanks for the pics... :eek: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:

[Elcoholic]

You guys are embarrassing me!

Yes, "the thing in the front with the holes" (as my wife calls it) is a Honduran mahogany red wine rack, to be frequented by real men. The 42-bottle wine chiller is for those sissy white wines that girls drink. The larger holes are for magnums.

I'll add a few more photos. I built the stairs to the helm deck, thereby ending 65 years of hopping-up onto it from the catwalk. To do so, I had to sacrifice the built-in L-shaped couch......original but it took up too much space and severely limited furniture quantity/placement.

It all looks so empty right now, without good oriental carpets and period wicker furnishings.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/Elcoholic/salon1.jpg
Stairs to helm in salon

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/Elcoholic/salon2.jpg
Raer salon wall

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/Elcoholic/salon3.jpg
Forward salon wall

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/Elcoholic/salon4.jpg
Galley entrance..that's Miss America, 1940 on the left.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/Elcoholic/salon5.jpg
The "no-go show panel".....restored but not to be used. Check those copper knife switches with the glass handles!

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/Elcoholic/Graffiti.jpg
Found when the original skylight trim was removed in the galley ceiling.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/Elcoholic/Graffiti.jpg
The "shuttle" to be used if/when needed for the business.....1946 Hunter (Orillia, Ont.) 24-footer.

[Elcoholic]

Looks like I missed the boat! Here's the shuttle........

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/Elcoholic/shuttle.jpg

[AlanL]

Matriarch. Yeah she sure is one mutha of a boat.

Congrats of a brilliant build :cool: :cool:

Alan

[JimJ]

WOW !!!!!

[skuthorp]

A stunning piece of work, preserving a heritage craft for the future.
Have you documented the restoration with film, it would make a great documentary
:D

[mdevour]

Elco,

Fabulous work.

Please, consider at least powering up the meters on that electrical panel! It is just too classy to leave 'em dead. :cool:

Lovely...

Mike

[Bill Thompson]

Wow - as someone who is trying to bring a much smaller and simpler boat of a similar vintage to some level of arrested decline, I am really impressed with your efforts.... Just cubic heaps of man hours represented in that boat's restoration. And dollars, too.
Best of luck with your business plan
Bill

[Donn]

Be still my heart! Matriarch is a stunner!

[Stephen Hutchins]

GAWD man! --you need someone to live onboard/care for her while your away?? Nice work.. Beautiful boat!

[Elco57]

For some reason, this forum will not let me log in as "Elcoholic" but it's me, never the less.

Anyway, I've calculated that we have spent just about 7,000 man-hours on the restoration of "Matriarch" and, naturally, we're not finished yet.

An EXTRA four or five gallons of oil have mysteriously appeared in the sump of the starboard engine. There's NO WATER in there with it.....we drained it and checked. I welcome all ideas, even the supernatural, as to how this has happened.

I can recommend large wooden boat restoration to masochists and those bored, independently wealthy individuals with too much time on their hands. At this point, all I hope is that there will come a time when I can look back and say, "It wasn't so bad." (I should live so long!)

[guillemot]

I am totally floored. Amazing!

Jeff

[Paul Denison]

My all time favorite.

[Gary E]

Since those 903's might hold 5 gal each, someone didnt pour a load into the same engine twice, I hope. Nahh, no one would do that.....well, maybe.

[Lion]

Absolutely gorgeous!! Fantastic job, congratulations.

Lion

[Captain Pre-Capsize]

Elco:

Did you know that we are related? Now, you realize that with life being uncertain and all that... um, you wouldn't want anything to happen to your baby there - you know, in the event of your departing the earth prematurely. So's just remember me when updating things at the lawyers place. ;)

[Ian Marchuk]

Elco , I second Joe's motion nominating this work of art as the restoration of the year.The additional interior pictures have left me in a
state of blind boat lust. This time it is SERIOUS.
As to the mysterious appearance of LOTS of extra oil in the sump, I assume you mean the oil pan. Based on that I would take an oil sample and have it analyzed. It may be fuel. I am not familiar with the Cummins 903, however there are only three possibilities that immediately come to mind. One, someone put too much oil in to begin with or misread the dipstick somehow. Not unheard of, but not likely in this case. Two, antifreeze.. Nasty problem, do not start PERIOD FULL STOP...Drain all oil lines and filter, because the oil is cold and heavy this may take 24 hours to get ALL the fluid out. Before going any further ,get an oil analysis, though that much coolant in the oil should be obvious. Three and the most likely reason may be fuel in the oil . Again, drain as outlined, and have it analyzed.Fuel contamination in this amount may be coming from a seal problem in the injection pump or in the lift pump. I will go back to your pictures and have a look at what I can see layout wise, indulge in unbridled lust some more and er.... see what develops... Drop me a line with your thoughts and noodlings. I would be pleased as punch if I could help.
Oh , and should you become really frustrated with this , I could help by taking it off your hands...... such thoughtfulness and sacrificial caring.... Best Wishes..... Ian

[Garrett Lowell]

I second (and third) what everyone else has already said. Even the shuttle is gorgeous!

[wyndham]

UN-EFFING-BELEIVABLE! What a beautiful job.

[Stari27]

My hat is off to you, what a superb job.

[Ian Marchuk]

Elco, Ford Lehman engines that I am familiar with have fuel injector return lines from each injector to a common pipe that runs under the valve cover. Some are silver soldered , some are brass. They are subject to cracking either on installation , or through fatigue from the inherent vibrations of the engine, as well as heating/cooling cycles.A customer of mine had this happen and he did not catch it quickly enough.The result was an engine failure. A cracked fuel return line , or seal failure can dump a lot of fuel into the lube oil in a few hours of operation.
From the engine picture I cannot see any exposed fuel lines.Is the above scenario a possibility in your case? Ian

[Bob Perkins]

That is just too cool for words..

Thanks - glad to know there are more crazys like us out there!

[Elco57]

Yes, the problem is fuel...lots of it. We pumped out 9-1/2 gallons of "thin" oil this morning. Since then, I have replaced the O rings in the starboard injectors and will do the other side in the morning. Unfortunately, It will cost me another 5 gallons of Rotella T to determine if this did the trick. Failing that, I'll attack the injector pump.

The good news is that "the canvas lady" has nearly finished with Bimini top and covers for the skylights. I still have to fashion another top for the aft lazarette out of 1" stainless tubing but that can wait for now. A boat without running engines is a barge. You may quote me.

I've always thought that anything worth having was worth suffering for. This boat must REALLY be worth having.

Thanks again to you all for the flattery. Favorable comments from wooden boat people are the type of thing that keeps me going.

If (WHEN) I get her underway, I'll post a few photos at cruising speed, most likely with some lunatic at the helm.

[Elco57]

Here's one last photo (I promise) that puts things in perspective. It wasn't staged but when I realized the photo op, I took it. That's my 1964 CC 24-footer in the foreground. (Yes, I have 3 wooden boats!)

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/Elcoholic/SizeMatters.jpg

[carioca1232001]

Elco,
A magnificent job ! :rolleyes:

"Endeavour to persevere" ? Well, you have just been nominated for a Nobel Prize on this count ;)

[Ralphw]

thats got to be the nicest boat I have ever seen in my life

[Rogue Sailor]

:eek: Only two years? WOW! Magnificent!

[carioca1232001]

carioca1232001 wrote:


Well, you have just been nominated for a Nobel Prize on this count Just in time... as a suggestion, do consider sharing the laurels with the two full-time carpenters who thrashed it out with you :D

[Elco57]

Actually, I have owned the boat for two years but the work...99% of it.....was begun October 1, 2004 and we launched in September, 2005.....ONE year, nearly to the day.

The engines are both roaring now, thanks to new injector rings and feeding 24 volts to the 12V starters. (The two seconds of current don't hurt them but do wonders for starting RPM's!)

I thought I might post some "before" and "after" photos later tonight. If anybody thinks I'm becoming a bore, now is the time to say so and I'll back off.

[carioca1232001]

Looking forward to viewing your "before" and "after" photos.

[Gary E]

The engines are both roaring now Way to go... congratz smile.gif

Wish this place had sound ... smile.gif

[guillemot]

keep 'em coming!

[katiedobe]

Faantastic boat. Very impressed. How did the season go. Please post those before and after pictures. Also please post the particulars. Year, length, etc.

[Lew Barrett]

Absolutely magnificent. Having spent 12 years restoring a 50 foot boat for personal use, I am in complete harmony with the pains and joys of a larger scale restoration. You have my admiration, my envy and my sympathy!
Lew

[ 01-21-2006, 02:55 PM: Message edited by: Lew Barrett ]

[brian.cunningham]

:cool:

[Norske3]

A WOODENBOAT MAG ARTICLE MUST BE DONE ON THIS JEWEL!.....hope you took a lot of pics. smile.gif

[Lew Barrett]

I note you're flying the CYA burgee, and an older one at that. Nice to meet you...
Lew

[GROOVY]

The 24" is nice too! Not for sale?

[videoguy]

Holy Guacamole thats one fine job and to do it in two years. It boggles the mind!. smile.gif smile.gif ...Phil

[WoodenBNut]

Elcoholic------
I love that cabin head liner on your boat and would like to use a similar/same liner on the boat I am presently restoring. Can you tell me what kind of material that you used for your cabin headliner? Is it thin wood material that has been painted?? Did you nail it, screw it, staple it to the cabin ceiling framing? Did you put insulation behind the head liner? Did you provide ventilation between the headliner and cabin roof?
Looks terrific! Thanks

[GC]

I am awe struck to say this is a great job os an understatement, hope to see a feature in the magazine soon.

[Elcoholic]

I just stopped in for a "look-see" and it looks like I've been getting a little more ink. The Elco is pretty much a going concern, although floating static for the winter. The purpose of restoration (and financial justification) was always to run a wine and cheese cruise business here on the lake and although the actual business will not begin until April 1, our web site is up and running. We spoiled a few friends last November in exchange for using their photos. I've used the best photos we have to date on the site. WWW.MATRIARCHYACHT.COM (http://WWW.MATRIARCHYACHT.COM)

You can email me directly at the address on the site to answer any questions you may have.....glad to tell you about the salon ceiling, etc.

[Elcoholic]

As for an article, it appears that I'd have to write it myself and submit it for their approval/editing/rejection/whatever and so I doubt that it will ever be done. If there's a freeleance writer out there stuck for material, the story is his for the asking. I have two runabouts in my basement undergoing restoration right now...winter work.......you know, little stuff. I'm converting a 1955 Correct Craft 14-foot "open" inboard boat into a dual cockpit runabout.....pretty slick little conversion if I do say so myself. Hey! Maybe I'll use it for a dinghy!