Jack worked hard on this boat this week. In the first picture, he fitted the new and repairs battens to the transom. Then he glued up the gripe and stem and permanently attached them to the boat. In the third picture, the two pieces of the new keel are being laminated together while attached to the boat. He used the strut and old keel to drill the shaft hole in the new keel. Check out the video below for more about that! He also e fitted fresh plywood pieces in for the sub-bottom and worked on replicating the cut out for the bed log on the keel.

Meanwhile, Shane has been working on a bunch of boats! He's installed the battery box and back seat on a 1950 Chris Craft Riviera, finished caulking the seams and bottom of a 1959 Chris Craft Continental, added a cheek block to the gripe of a Super Sport, and worked on finishing the varnish on a Carolina Flats skiff.  We're glad for warmer weather to keep the shop temperate and help varnish and caulk cure properly!

It's been too cold in the shop to work on paint and varnish this week, so the guys have found plenty of other tasks to occupy their time!

Gary has been removing hardware and sanding the mast in preparation for fresh varnish when the weather warms up a bit.

After a mighty multi-day struggle, the guys managed to remove the centerboard and have it hung to dry. Gary gets to use his very cool moisture meter to make sure it's improving.

It's an under the dash kind of week. Shane is installing and wiring the search light. He has also made brackets for the battery box and installed that in the engine compartment. He's been working on fitting and installing the newly finished seats and flooring.

Jack is also working on electrical wiring under the dash! The horn works now! Beep beep!

Jack has also finished installing the fittings and exhaust in preparation for installing the fuel tank, installed the fuel tank and hoses, worked on the last bits of interior upholstery, and milled some new wood for the rear seat frames. He has also tested all the electronics and gauges and everything works!

Jack helped Gary get a piece of hardware off the transom of the Concordia Sloop. While he was under there, he spent some time investigating the inside of the boat.

Gary has been working on repairing and sanding the centerboard and now it's ready for a fresh coat of paint.

Jack installed the new exhaust hose and cut, polished, and permanently mounted a new stainless steel exhaust tip. He cleaned up and painted the steering pulleys and mounted them on new blocks inside the transom. Everything looks so nice and clean!

Gary is installing a new cutlass bearing inside the propeller strut.

Gary has been repairing the centerboard for the Concordia Sloop.

Jack helped unload a brand new Yamaha outboard engine for the Flats boat.

Gary and Shane have been working on fiberglassing the floorboards for the Flats boat.

This week on the '57 Continental, Jack installed the engine after making modifcations to the motor mounts and reinstalled the strut, prop shaft and propeller, and rudder. He got everything hooked up to the engine including wiring and hoses and finally installed the new dashboard and gauges, switches, and steering box. He also installed the thru-hulls for the drain plug, tank vent, and both bilge pumps. He removed the old, rotten battery box and replaced it with new wooden framing. Next, we'll install the fuel tank and start putting the interior together!

Shane has milled the wood for and made the final two frame replacements and is continuing to work on replacing rotten framing on the transom on the SuperSport.

As we begin a new year, the crew at Lowell Boats is here for all your wooden boat restoration needs! 

Don't forget, registration for WoodenBoat School classes opens tomorrow, January 2 at 8:00 EST!
Marine Painting and Varnishing Techniques​
July 27- August 1, 2025

Runabout Restoration
August 3-August 8, 2025