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Hi gang! Holtz is nearly finished with Girl Friday. I thought I'd share a several pictures from the restoration process.Tom and his crew have done an amazing job. He rebuilt my blown starboard engine and I took the leap to have her repainted. Then, as will happen, we encountered what we consultants call "scope creep." It turned into a major refit.
The pics start with shipping her down to Marmora:



Note to self: A noisy starboard prop might not be the cutlass bearing. You could have cable TV wire wrapped around the prop. Sigh.



Then stripping her down:


Lots of crazing and repairs to make topside:



Despite everyone's misgivings, I'm sticking with the black hull. Can't help myself:



New boot stripe and restored swim platform:


New soft top and curtains:



Painted rub-rail with stainless:



Nearly done. Refitting the windows is proving to be a bear.

Jamie

Very nice. She is looking good.
Are you touching the interior?
Are you doing any of the work yourself?

Black hull is sharp..especially when done right!
Yours looks well done from pictures.

I am interested in seeing the finished look with the canvas front window setup.
I toyed with doing that clear canvas setup for years...or restoring frames and bending up new lexan windows.
Restore and bend too much of a job and canvas...wasn't sure about the rake of the canvas and clarity...I have clear side curtains that will fog up at times.

But...each year I polish up the curved sections with nexus Plastic polish to the point I can see thru OK-ish and figure I'll make it a project for next year.


Looking good,
when does she splash?

Congrats, nice job ....and a lot of it...

Why did you make black the soft top? Won't this be getting too hot with the sun?
What model is this 31? I don't seem to be too familiar with this configuration.
Thanks.

Yannis: This is a 1962 Express Cruiser that's been modified. There are quite a few of them--they put a fiberglass mini-bridge in place of the windshield. They also took out the front cabin windows. For the top, I asked quite a few people with black canvas bimini tops if they were hotter than usual. They didn't seem to think so. The white had become so dingy, and wouldn't clean up. The windows aren't vinyl, but some slightly harder, clearer plastic.

Holtz Boat Works did all the work. I have done some work in the interior--new hatches, new flooring and vinyl. Tom's guys installed a refrigerator in place of the ice box. This boat is really for picnicking. I spent my youth on a charter fishing boat on Lake Michigan, so I'm just beginning to think about fishing again.

Awesome work!!!!

Looks sharp as heck! Ain't it great working with a solid team you can trust!

Fantastic work!!!!

Dug

Thanks, Dug--hey, that's your bowrail! I am still grateful for it. And I owe Captain Pat a contribution for this year. Better get a check in the mail.

Nice!