7/26/02

I am still trying to complete the restoration this year before the snow flies.  The outside of my boat is painted the original colors (even though the pictures in the paint booth look a little strange).  The next step is to prime the interior and spray on the Zolatone Black Fleck.  The guys at Custom Auto in Sundance, Wyoming are doing a great job with the painting.

After the painting is done comes the fun part - reassembling all the components.  I've included a picture of the original windshield from the boat.  After I attacked it with sand paper I didn't know how it would turn out.  However, with a lot of elbow grease it turned out pretty good.  I've also included a couple of pictures of my future winter project - restoring a 70 hp 1958 Mark 78.  Note the original funky flip-up stern light on the motor.

06/14/02

 I've included pictures showing my recent progress.  The outside paint was stripped the old fashioned way - dry sanding with no chemicals.  The dents in the back of the boat, from a tipped trailer accident, pounded out nicely.  I was told that aluminum gets brittle as it ages.  I don't know if that is true or not but the aluminum in this boat was very ductile and easy to work.  The outside is now primed and will need to sit for 5 days before the final paint can be applied. 

 The seats for this boat are being created with the original pattern thanks to pictures I saw in this website of David Hammar's Explorer (page 2).  No one in my family could  remember what the original seats looked like.  However, when I showed them pictures of the seats in the Explorer they all recognized the design immediately.  Apparently the hard top on the Explorer preserved the seat fabric where the sun destroyed the fabric in my boat.  I found little pieces of the vinyl when I removed the wood decking.  I've also included a picture of my boat from the early 1960's with my dad at the helm.  I am striving to finish my boat this summer and recreate the picture with my dad in the restored Flying Crest.  Note the color and pattern of the seat back laying in the back of the boat.

 The original windshield was scratched and crazed but had no cracks.  I was able to sand out all the scratches and crazing.  Apparently crazing is near the surface.  I have used 120, 220 and 600 grit sandpaper and finally crocus cloth.  The windshield now feels smooth but is extremely foggy.  The only way to see through it is by wetting it.  I purchased a plexiglass polishing kit on the internet from Wicks Aviation that includes 3600 micro mesh sandpaper and a series of liquid abrasives.  I will attempt to finish polishing out the plastic.  This has proven to be a big job.  It may have been better to just replace the plexiglass but at this point I am too stubborn to quit. 

Bud Viren

E. A. "Bud" Viren