Every Summer, The owners of Northern Star, a 1969 Chris Craft Commander 38 express, located in Annapolis, MD. go over their wish list, and we start planning. All during the summer months, Phone Calls, parts sourcing, brainstorming, discussing the “what if’s” and seeing what will logistically fit into the schedule. Generally we have about 5 months on the hard to work with. Take out work schedules, holidays, and other logistical hurdles and it usually works down to about 3-4 weekends on average. yes that’s about 10 days or so of actual Hand’s On work. The owners and I work side by side. we work til we drop,, maximizing every hour possible, and get an incredible amount of work done in one weekend. We make an incredible team, and the running joke is that by Sunday we all have to go back to our “real jobs” to rest up!. For the past two years it’s been all about getting her “reliable”. The first two years of ownership were bumpy at best, never getting a good cruising weekend without something going amiss and scrubbing the plans. This year it was a bit different. After describing to me they had “by far the best cruising year yet” they were ready to kick it up a notch and start updating systems and working on some of the “neat stuff” along with still reducing the possibility of a “stressful incident” if at all possible. This year’s list, and the pictures below include: 1) Complete update of the 12 volt distribution system. 2) Rebuilding the Stbd Side heat exchanger that was failing on us at season’s end. 3) Adding a “house bank” of batteries, to increase the battery capacity for multiple overnight stays. 4) Wire in the DC side of the dual voltage refrigerator aboard. 5) Replacing the “never working right” cable driven Tachometers, for new Electronic Tachs. 6) Taking off the small aftermarket steering wheel and having he parts made to re-install the original “destroyer” wheel, 7) Rehabbing the on board Hot water Heater and Plumbing it to the engine for underway Hot Water 8) Repairing the original Engine Room Lighting to work again, and finally finish completely mapping the entire electrical system by hand, and labeling any circuits that were “unidentified”. I’m Happy to report that over the span of 5 weekends, we managed to accomplished ALL except for the HW heater plumbing to the engine (But it’s ready to be done and will be done shortly). As well as all of this, Fred, a Master at wood working, and finishing, combined his talents with mine to really create some exciting and beautiful pieces. (The new electrical cabinet, The helm, and the Swim platform with new Snap Davits blocks for their Tender) Here’s to another fabulous season to Northern Star and her owners, and the plans are already beginning for next Winter. Enjoy the Pictures and click on each thumbnail to get the full view!!
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Located in a dark, damp closet, just HAD to go!
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The old panel out the hard work begins (Mapping it all)
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3 Different Locations to map and diagram
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Mapping all the circuits required some creativity
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Notes, Notes, and More Notes
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Combined with 2 different original drawings to figure it out!!
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The decision Made. Panel ordered from Blue Seas Systems
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And arrives on schedule!!
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The new location. Up on Deck. Easy Access! Challenging to do!
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Removing old Tachs
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The Custom Bushing made for the Destroyer wheel “Re-Install”
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The Bushing fits Perfectly!!
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The New Electronic Faria Tachs, installed in the Original Pods
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The destroyer wheel returns the “Originality” of the Helm. Along With the New Tachs!!
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Fred’s Woodwork Magic Begins
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Coming Together
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The finished Project
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Hinged and back cover installed
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6 volt Golf Cart batteries provide MAJOR 12v Capacity for overniting
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Snap Davit Blocks Fred Made Accent his Platform woodwork
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Hot Water Heater removed, rehabbed, and replumbed
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Time to cut the shrinkwrap and get her wet!
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New wiperblades
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Off she goes!!
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Touchdown!!
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I Dubbed her “The Belle of the Bay” She’s a “looker”
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All ready for the boating season!! See ya Next Winter!
