Newbie from Seattle

Qstopher · 05-16-2014, 03:59 PM

Hello Everyone,

First I want to say what a great site, thank you!

I have been a boater my entire life, I was almost born on a 1957 Owens 35 Express that I have been cruising the waters of the Puget Sound my whole life.

Today, the Owens is still in the family and being used each summer by my parents, brothers family or my family and occasionally all of us (tight fit).

For the past 5 years we've spent less time on the water and more time on the hard for we have been restoring a 1965 57 Chris Connie. Years prior to our ownership we had admired her as she was also docked in our home port. Always dreaming of owning a Chris Connie years later we randomly found her for sale on the hard in 2006 and purchased her right away. Since them we have replaced more then 30% of her planks, her entire running gear and 100% of her fasteners. We are in the final stages of getting her ready to be splashed, last task is building new fuel and water tanks. With any luck she will be floating once again this July. One more good old woody saved from the burn pile.

Summer 2015 we plan on a family trip (whole family, less squished) to Alaska.

To all you woodys out there, keep up the good work and thank you for your warm welcomes to the forum.

-Kris

RT Firefly · 05-16-2014, 04:06 PM

GREETINGS,
WELCOME ABOARD! (Hey, he's all the way on the west coast. How will he hear me if I don't yell). 57' Connie? That's a sh*tload of wood!

GFC · 05-16-2014, 04:59 PM

Kris, welcome to TF, and congrats on doing the resto on that old Connie. Nobody will ever build a boat like that again, so good on ya for taking care of her. I can't wait to see photos of her interior and detailed exterior shots.

eyschulman · 05-16-2014, 05:47 PM

Welcome aboard. I am also in Seattle with a sail boat at Shillshole and a modern wood power boat at portage bay. Where are you doing the rebuild? Are you planning on keeping it in fresh water?

Hendo78 · 05-17-2014, 04:38 AM

G'day and welcome aboard fellow woodie!.
Regards
Matt

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Bob Cofer · 05-17-2014, 09:09 AM

I think a shakedown cruise to Bellingham would be a good idea! I would happily provide some local beverages as my price for admission to see the interior.

Pau Hana · 05-17-2014, 10:14 AM

Welcome! If you're on Lake Union, drop a note- I'd love to see her!

Nomad Willy · 05-17-2014, 10:54 AM

Better keep the big woodie in salt water. The salt makes a good preservative. Does a number on your fasteners though.

Was she planked w mahogany and did you use mahogany for replacement planks? Wish my wood on my Willard was mahogany. Should have left the teak in the east where they don't paint their boats.

When you get that big girl done we should have a big raft up.