Restoration - 1955 Duke 20' Utility

[55duke]

First of all, I would like to introduce myself to this forum. My name is Peter Koppisch, from Burlington, Ontario, Canada. I am a 44 years old, and grew up in a teak lamp manufacturing business. I have had wood dust in my nostrils since I was 3 years old! I have also had 1 foot in some sort of water ( fresh) all my life. I collect 50' and 60's Mercury outboard motors.

This boat crossed by path by chance, and I could not pass it up. It is beautiful mahogany above the waterline, and white cedar lapstrake under the water line. An oceancoast-raised friend helped in the survey, and I decided to buy it.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid97/pf26bc8ea5cb5137ff3c93ab2ff53bfa1/fa16c9fd.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid97/pb780ab99dc76a8bd0365b064516d98ac/fa16c9fb.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid97/p17ec72dca9a83ed3ae2c777f43d584b0/fa16c9fc.jpg

The interior is entirely stripped out, and during the survey we noticed that some white oak ribs were broken, and the 2 garboard planks were soft and the propshaft somewhat loose. The rest is in very decent shape.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid97/p4338dfb89d9edfdd80f735bc934611da/fa16c9ef.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid97/p938de051f6123e0d7da9128123e942a6/fa16c9ec.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid97/p641dbf64bd4d771e237a1a92583971dc/fa16c9eb.jpg

The boat rested in a boathouse from 1987 to 1999, when it was purchased and used for 1 season. It was then stored at Duke Marine in Muskoka, Ontario, the place it was orginally built. It has not hit the water since . i am in contact with Duke Marine
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid97/pa1d99a5d3cc1b773c84f899f01444dee/fa16c9f9.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid97/pd49d59af853e526efcbaea4ec0c9b6c2/fa16c9f5.jpg

The bottom of the boat was replaced in 1978, but only had about 8 years of use. The botton is decent, except for a few parts of the bow, and the garboards and perhaps the keel.

My questions are :

1. How should I restore the bottom, if I intend to store it on a trailer under a roof? West system topcoat? Replace the garboards, keel, re-rivet and paint? Other options
2. A number of the white oak stringers are broken at the waterline. What are the thoughts on either lamination or steam bent replacement?
3. Finally, the finish of the hull is like furniture now. I don't know what the treatment was, but there is no varnish on the surface. It look s and feels like tung oil!( although it needs some attention now). Would the varnish treatment be the answer, and if so, what types and method would be recommended?

I am filled with excitement and terror at the same time. I have the space, tools, basic knowledge and desire to take this on. Your thoughts and guidance will be a valuable asset.

Thanks Peter

[Art Read]

Wow! Beautiful boat! I'm afraid I don't know much about runabouts, but a sometimes poster here, Don Dannenburg(?), Dan Donnenburg(?), (something like that)... has written a well received book on the subject. I believe it covers renewing bottoms quite well.

(That's NOT varnish?!? Could've fooled me!)

[Donn]

http://www.motorbooks.com/pimg/135107.jpg

How to Restore Your Classic Wooden Runabout
by Don Danenberg
Soft Bound; 240 pages
8.25w x 10.65h
ISBN: 0760311005

[Domesticated_Mr. Know It All]

Nice boat. :cool:
Welcome to the forum. smile.gif

[Jack Heinlen]

Welcome Peter.

Dannenberg's book is a place to start, but this boat is somewhat unique as runabouts go. The combination of mahogany topsides and cedar lapstrake below is something I've never seen before--not that I know a huge amount about these matters.

You say you are going to store it on a trailer. Does that mean it will only be in the water for a day or two and then hauled again? Or that it will be on the trailer through the winter?

In anycase, it looks like a wonderful find, and while you have it torn apart: take your time, contemplate, ask questions(as you are doing) and make it sound again.

I look forward to this one. Pretty boat. What's the power?

P.S. My impression, re-reading your post, is that this boat deserves, and you are prepared for a concours restoration, bringing it back to just how it came from the builder. Which means steam bending new frames, replacing any rotten wood, all traditional methods, and a fine finish of varnish.

The bottom construction doesn't lend itself to much modern by way of epoxy and such, just some good ol' fashioned replacing of planks, refastening, reframing, etc.

If you are planning it as a 'weekend' boat that will live much of its life on a trailer there are some ways of sealing the planking against leaks. They involve a small groove cut at the outside of the plank lands, filled with polysulphide, but we'll wait, expectantly, for more information.

First(second) impressions. Keep asking questions.

[ 01-04-2004, 01:01 PM: Message edited by: Jack Heinlen ]

[55duke]

The engine is an in-line 6 Buchanan engine. It was entirely rebuilt a few years ago and runs like a charm. I believe it's about 110-120 hp. I also believe they are a derivative of a Chrysler in-line, and we only sold in Canada.

Perhaps some one might verify this.

Thanks for all your help

Peter