T&T: Dry Storage of 1963 - 57' Chris Craft Constellation

[bob Austin]

I would consider any part of the Sea Of Cortez as a hurricane zone--and if
leaving the boat there would want it hauled.
However, hauling and leaving you 1962 double planked Chris Craft will be hard
on it.  The planks will dry out, and will definately change in dimension.  The
seams will open up.  Although the yard will be near the water, with the heat
of this lattitude, there will be significant drying.  When the boat is put
back in the water, she will leak a great deal--enough that you will have to
have large pumps running for some time--in fact probably best to arrange to
keep the boat in the lift slings for at least overnight. I suspect that you
will have trouble finding someone to keep the boat wet during the summer.  As
to damage, it depends of the intregrity of the fastenings, and frames.  It is
possiable that there may be perment damage--but the boat can be re-caulked if
necessary--not a easy job.  Being double planked is better than single
planked.  Some of the Chris's were built with a layer of bedding compound
(Dolfonite) and linen between the two layers of planks.

I grew up on wooden boats--and admire the those who have the time and money to
keep up wooden boats.  Be sure that the boat is very sound before you head
South.  Comming North is most likely to be also very hard on the boat, because
of the seas you may run into.

We had a friend who trucked a boat that size across the US, to take it from
Florida to the Caribbean, many years ago.  The owner escorted the trucker,
with the intent that the boat be kept wet with burlap.  Unfortunately they
were not able to get water during the hottest and dryest part of the trip, and
some planks sprung.  The boat never made it to the Caribbean.  The trucking
was also hard on the boat--and may have been part of the problem.

I agree--get some input from the wooden boat owners and see what they think..

Bob Austin