Retro Crestliner Discussion Forum

gusmassard · Joined: 19 Apr 2008 Posts: 2 Location: usa

Hi, I have a 1953 crestliner that was modified. The bow cover was cut off from the light back, no dash board. I would like to make a new bow cover and dash or find another boat for parts. Is there a pattern available? The rest of the boat is in great shape. The previous owner is 92. He cut the bow for ease of fishing. Thank You, Gus

Samster · Joined: 26 Aug 2009 Posts: 17

Hi Gus,

I do sheet metal work for a living and if I was going to replace the front deck I would use the shape of the boat itself for a template.

I think the catalogues have a measurement for the length of the plate which I think is measured from the front of the boat. I'd clamp the aluminum to the boat so it sits in the proper place and then trace and trim the edges to fit.

I know from working on airplanes that nothing is ever "cookie cutter" so most times it's best to make parts to fit the project rather than using a template.

Sam

OutBdNut · Joined: 27 Mar 2005 Posts: 593 Location: Minnesota

If you try to make a deck yourself, the Crestliner full decks were made in two halves with a rib on top up the middle - look at one before you start - may not be all that hard to make the two halves and the rib.

Hard part would be to duplicate the deck edge above the dash that gets rid of the sharp edge, although I've seen flexible plastic chrome stuff used that used to be sold to put on the edge of your car door so it wouldn't get chipped if you hit something opening it. maybe it's still available somewhere!

Note that teh crestliners that have short decks like the model 802 Commodore14 had one piece decks without the rib.
Dave
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57 Commander 12 Custom Deluxe 550
58 Commodore 14 Speedster (modified)
58 Cadillac Riviera 14 split deck
Dozens of old outboards

Chris · Joined: 15 May 2004 Posts: 270 Location: North West

I put a custom deck on my Commander. It came original as an open bow (1 foot long deck). A previous owner put on a deck, but it was sort of a lousy job, in that he just grafted it into the original short deck. It was one piece from side to side. But he did do a good job of making the main "hoop" or curved part to the rear, that the wheel was attached to. I've since these photos put on a proper dash with the wheel mounted to the wood.

The front hoop is original, and the rear and center brace were from the previous owner. I added the other braces...

I made my new cover in 2 pieces, left and right, with a wide sheet metal seam down the center, with it going wider at the rear for style points

Here is is in current form...

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Chris
1956 Commander 520
1956 Viking
'55 Johnson 10,'57 Johnson 18,'55 Johnson 25
1958 Evinrude Lark 35

http://www.retrocrestliner.com/viewerphotospage53.htm

http://s127.photobucket.com/albums/p156/7car7/Aluminum%20Runabouts/My%20Boats/

Chris · Joined: 15 May 2004 Posts: 270 Location: North West

I would think the biggest challenge would be making the rear curved brace (hoop). It's got to be heavy enough to support a body, and a wheel. Mine was made from 1/4" "T" beam aluminum, and I have now idea how it was bent. Probably with a hydraulic press of some sort.
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Chris
1956 Commander 520
1956 Viking
'55 Johnson 10,'57 Johnson 18,'55 Johnson 25
1958 Evinrude Lark 35

http://www.retrocrestliner.com/viewerphotospage53.htm

http://s127.photobucket.com/albums/p156/7car7/Aluminum%20Runabouts/My%20Boats/

sandusky · Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 24

I gotta tell ya, this is one sweet boat!!!! I can't imagine putting a speedo in a boat when all you'd be doing is grinning from, ear to ear!!! No time to look down . I Love it. Thanks for your posting of pics.. Sandusky

Chris · Joined: 15 May 2004 Posts: 270 Location: North West

Thanks so much sandusky! I appreciate that. It's a fun boat. This has been a rotten summer for us, in that we sure didn't use it much. I miss it. Sits under a metal shed nice and dry, but dusty. I keep a towel over the windshield to keep it clean.
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Chris
1956 Commander 520
1956 Viking
'55 Johnson 10,'57 Johnson 18,'55 Johnson 25
1958 Evinrude Lark 35

http://www.retrocrestliner.com/viewerphotospage53.htm

http://s127.photobucket.com/albums/p156/7car7/Aluminum%20Runabouts/My%20Boats/

squirrelboydeluxe · Joined: 12 Jan 2010 Posts: 24

Some people are so damn talented it is just downright depressing. Crying or Very sad

Chris, that is about as beautiful a job as even the factory could have hoped for.
Have you ever considered going into the windshield buisness?

George B

Chris · Joined: 15 May 2004 Posts: 270 Location: North West

Ha! Not sure about the windshield business, but if I was retired, I'd love to find plain open boats and turn them into runabouts. I had so much fun building this thing, I'd do it all the time if I could get away with it.

As for the windshields, boy, it would have to be "on site" to make them. There was so much fitting and adjusting to get this one right. I'd fear every boat would be different enough to make people think that the fit wasn't quite right for their boat after getting pieces in the mail.

I'm really torn - LOVE this style windshield. My Viking has the standard wrap around curved style, and I'm sure it would look real slick with the split style with aluminum braces. Just not sure I want to change it from original or not. Besides, I'd have holes in the deck to fill with screws or rivets or something.
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Chris
1956 Commander 520
1956 Viking
'55 Johnson 10,'57 Johnson 18,'55 Johnson 25
1958 Evinrude Lark 35

http://www.retrocrestliner.com/viewerphotospage53.htm

http://s127.photobucket.com/albums/p156/7car7/Aluminum%20Runabouts/My%20Boats/