M/Y Shangri-La Renovation Project

Pantry drawers installed

2011-07-30T17:19:00.004-05:00

The second of two cabinets made by EagleWood Cabinetry was installed today under the stove where the old refrigerator used to be. This cabinet will be used as a pantry.

Welding work done

2011-07-11T17:15:00.005-05:00

This past week we completed our welding projects on the boat with several areas of the bottom replated and new plating around a new starboard exhaust pipe. The bilge has been repainted, the starboard shaft log has been replaced and a new wet exhaust hose installed for the starboard engine. These are projects I hadn't planned on doing this year but I knew the time was coming. The Shangri-La is a 50 year old steel hulled boat that was in sad shape 6 years ago when we first bought her. The expenses involved with these projects have cut in to our cabin renovation project for the year so there probably won't be much more done in that area until next year.

After everything was sealed water tight below the waterline, we launched the boat on Sunday. I still have to put the plumbing back together but the boat is useable for the rest of the summer.

More welding

2011-06-30T17:12:00.009-05:00

This past week we replaced the starboard shaft log, that's what the pipe is called that sticks out the bottom of the boat for the propeller shaft to go through the hull, by cutting out the old one and welding in a new one. We've also had to cut out the starboard exhaust pipe that sticks out the transom and will have a new one welding in within the next few days. Bart Slye of Brown's Custom Medalworks has taken on these projects too. While these projects are going on, I've been scraping, chipping rust, cleaning and painting the aft bilge with POR-15 Rust Preventive Paint.

Painted forward bilge

2011-06-12T20:26:00.001-05:00

Chipped loose paint and rust, wire brushed, cleaned and then painted the forward bilge using POR-15 Rust Preventive Paint.

Rusty setback

2011-05-27T18:42:00.003-05:00

Our renovation project this year has had a small setback when some rust holes where found while prepping the bottom to paint under the starboard battery, just aft of the port battery and under the head. I hired Bart Slye of Brown's Custom Medalworks here in Oconto to do the repairs.

Entertainment control center

2011-05-22T19:40:00.021-05:00

Things have started very slow this year working on the boat. The past week though I have managed to create and install the built-in entertainment control center into the starboard forward bulkhead.

Holes were cut through the bulkhead so each component is flush mounted through the bulkhead while securely mounted on shelving built inside the starboard hanging locker. The components include from top to bottom, a DVD/VHS recorder-player, a 12 CD disc changer, an AM/FM/SIRUS-XM/iPod radio control head, a disc changer control head, a DirecTV receiver, a 2-TV video distribution box/antenna amplifier, and an impedance matching speaker zone distribution box. The placement on the forward bulkhead was considered to allow using IR remote controls while sitting on the rear deck or by bouncing the IR signal off a mirror on the gangway door while laying in the v-birth.

Also included in this installation are speaker volume controls so each pair of speakers in four separate zones on the boat can be adjusted or turned off from that area of the boat. The speaker zones are the v-birth, the salon, the rear deck, and a pair of wakeboard tower speakers that will be mounted on the satellite TV dome arch above the hardtop.

For those actually following this blog, it does start to look like I'm building a UMC, ultimate man cave.

Built-in Chest of Drawers

2010-08-31T18:50:00.013-05:00

Today we installed one of two cabinets and the wood panels for the refrigerator doors that we had made by Nick Baus of EagleWood Cabinetry & Design. Since we don't have any room to hang clothes, we will fold all our clothing and store in this cabinet. We had Nick place a removable divider in each drawer so Barbie and I will have our own side in the drawers. The next cabinet that we will have him make is a two drawer pantry that will fit under the stove where the small refrigerator was.

Galley cabinets

2010-08-30T19:20:00.006-05:00

After a week of refacing the galley cabinets, I think they really turned out nice.

Before

After

Hot water

2010-08-19T21:30:00.004-05:00

For the last 2 afternoons, I removed the old Sears 10 gallon water heater and replaced it with a new Atwood 6 gallon marine water heater, then wired into a switch with a pilot light in the galley.

The head

2010-08-10T11:57:00.003-05:00

A few more items in the head and it will be completed. The shower is done, we wallpapered the walls, trimmed everything in oak, installed a light inside the shower, a courtesy light under the cabinet to light up the floor at night, florescent lighting overhead, and mini-blinds over the window. Yet to do is to finish the ceiling in white padded vinyl, a little trim around the counter top, and a full wood valance box around the mini-blinds.

Starboard side

2010-08-01T09:17:00.011-05:00

For the last couple of days, I've been working on the starboard side of the cabin. In the area below, originally there was a bunk bed where the top bunk folded down to make a couch. Frank had cut a hole in the forward bulkhead for a place to put some pictures and nic naks.

I took out the nic nak box and filled the hole with a piece of plywood, then placed oak paneling over the walls. Our plans for this area are to place flooring about the drawers and place a couple of white vinyl swivel barrow chairs with a small oak table attached to the side between them. Drawer facings will be varnished mahogany and the window covering will be mini-blinds. As you notice, I also placed an A/C outlet on each wall.

Shower completed

2010-07-27T20:06:00.009-05:00

It has been over a month since I last posted any pictures or updates on our renovation project. In that time, I have completed the shower with fiberglass paneling, installed a shower sump under the floor where both the head sink and shower drains into then is automatically pumped overboard, installed plumbing coming off the head sink, and installed a light on the shower ceiling. I also stained all the woodwork that I have been building with cherry stain then applied 3 coats of satin finish polyurethane over it. We have decided to wallpaper the head walls so we found a nautical themed vinyl wallpaper over the Internet and have it on order. At the same time, I ordered mini-blinds for the head. Those should arrive by the first week of August and should have the head completed by the middle of August.

Oak Paneling and Battery Switches

2010-06-22T20:42:00.019-05:00

My task today was to start placing unfinished oak paneling over the white walls and bulkheads. Once cut to fit, the panels were glued and nailed with wire brads to hold them in place. It seems like no mater how careful I am in my measuring, I'm almost always a quarter of an inch off by the time I'm through. I guess that's what trim is for.

Before

After

Before

After

Later in the day, the UPS man brought me the battery switches that I bought from Defender.com. I bought a 3 1/5 inch hole saw and cut two holes in the steering podium to install them. The hole saw wasn't quite big enough so using a Dremel Tool, I enlarged the holes so the would fit. I though I had enough large gauge wire to wire them up but I didn't. So next time to the electrical supply store, I get what I need. The top switch is to connect either the starboard cranking battery or port cranking battery, or both at the same time, to the fuse panel the runs the boat. The bottom switch is to connect the house batteries to the fuse panel for the cabin.

Before

After

Installed New Refrigerator

2010-06-21T19:04:00.011-05:00

Today I built the cabinet for our new Norcold DE-0061R 7.0 cu ft built-in refrigerator, run wire for both the ac and dc circuits, then installed the refrigerator. Just forward of the refrigerator, I'll have a cabinet maker build us a clothes dresser. After I installed the refrigerator, I fastened the lower door latch back on that was laying inside when we bought it, closed the door, and couldn't open it again. I had to take the door off at the hinges to get it open again. Apparently, the reason the latch was inside was because West Marine had the same problem when they had it in their store as a display model. I called West Marine and they are going to have a new latch sent to us.

Shower enclosure walls are up

2010-06-19T20:11:00.011-05:00

I completed building the shower enclosure walls today. I need yet to line the inside walls and install the plumbing to finish the shower. Next project is to build the enclosure for the new 7.0 cf built-in refrigerator. This will be just forward of shower wall. Then a dresser will be built forward of the refrigerator.

Consulted with another cabinet maker

2010-06-11T18:13:00.005-05:00

I consulted with Nick Baus of EagleWood Cabinetry & Design today about building our cabinets. He came out and took preliminary measurements and will give me a quote next week. Nick has also been working on the cabinets on a 37' Roamer owned by Marianna (Yana) DeMyer. I contacted her for a reference and she said, "Nick Baus is excellent. Absolutely excellent. You will LOVE his work, he is a total perfectionist."

Looking for new carpenter

2010-06-08T15:42:00.008-05:00

I had to terminated the services of Alex Keel of AK Handyman Services. After 3 days, I could see that his carpentry skills were not to my expectations and would not be able to preform the work to my satisfaction.

Wiring Refit

2010-06-07T06:17:00.000-05:00

For the last 5 years of looking at the wiring mess, I started a complete refit of the electrical system. Most of the 120v AC was before there was a ground wire included. All the older 2 prong receptacles were replace at some point with 3 prong and a separate ground wire was ran to a few of those. There were no GFI receptacles and additional wiring was with standard solid conductor house type wiring. There were wires, some live, that were not connected to anything.

Back in my past life, I worked as an aircraft electrician for the Air Force, an avionics technician for the Army, and as an electronics technician on the National Aerospace System while working for the Federal Aviation Administration. I figure rewiring this boat is not beyond my skill level. So while in Milwaukee a couple weeks ago, I purchased 114 feet of salvaged, marine grade, 3 conductor stranded wire from Kendor Marine, then started pulling out old wiring and refitting with the new. I got this wire for $0.86 a foot whereas new marine grade wire would have cost over $3.00 a foot. Since the cabin area is mostly gutted out, this job is not as hard as some may think. After I'm through with the ac side of the system, then I'll start on the dc side. Talk about a mess.

Phase 2 Started

2010-06-04T20:44:00.008-05:00

We got a good start on Phase 2 of our project yesterday. Alex Keel of AK Handyman Services in Menominee, MI is helping me with this project. Alex has experience in plumbing from Burger Boat, welding from Marinette Marine and all phases of carpentry.

In Phase 2, our goal is to remodel the cabin interior by adding a shower room, new cabin sole, cabin ceiling, apartment size refrigerator, new counter tops in galley and head, build cabinet with drawers for clothing storage, refinish walls, cabinets and bulkheads with varnish wood, Install swivel barrow chair seating and replace the V-birth mattress.

B & J Aluminum Windows

2010-04-06T13:48:00.004-05:00

Visited with Matt at B&J Aluminum Windows in St Martinville (Loreauvilla), LA today discussing the replacement of our cockpit windows during phase 3 of our renovation. In my opinion, the workmanship of their custom built aluminum framed windows are far superior than the windows we used in phase 1 of our project.

Phase 1 completed

2009-08-03T14:50:00.013-05:00

Today we finished phase 1 of our renovation project on the Shangri-La. The cabin top has been rebuilt and fiberglassed and the new windows are in, in spite of the problems we had with the sliding windows. They look good and function okay, they just don't lock. I cannot recommend USA Marine Windows for any job. On the other hand, John Winter has done a marvelous job with his design and workmanship. But now he's off to Knoxville, TN hoping to restart his marine business there. I would recommend him to anyone. Next year we will start on phase 2 of our renovation project, remodeling the cabin interior.

Started installing new windows

2009-08-01T17:30:00.007-05:00

John and I started installing the new windows today. We have 2 installed and 3 more dry fitted ready to install.

Windows arrived again - still not happy

2009-07-29T21:09:00.009-05:00

We received our new cabin windows today from USA Marine Windows for the second time. The color of the glass was corrected but the other defects were not fixed.

So much for a Friday delivery

2009-07-25T09:44:00.012-05:00

USA Marine Windows received our windows back on Wednesday July 22nd and still claimed that we would have them back by Friday. He didn't mention which Friday though. The windows were picked up from them on Thursday evening and arrived in Atlanta on Friday morning. The shipper's committed delivery date is next Wednesday July 29th. John Winter is planning on departing Oconto for his trip to Knoxville, TN on August 1st but has said he will stay here until he completes the window installation.

Moved to the Oconto Yacht Club

2009-07-20T18:41:00.005-05:00

Tom Drezweski of Bayside Ice & Marine Recovery moved the Shangri-La from John Winter's shop 3 miles to the Oconto Yacht Club.

New windows arrived - Not very happy

2009-07-16T18:46:00.019-05:00

Our new windows arrived this morning. But when we took them out of the crate the first thing I noticed was they were not tinted as ordered and listed on the invoice. The glass was clear. Then as we were inspecting them before placing the windows where they would go in, one of the sliding windows would not open and on another the sliding window locking mechanism fell off. For $3400, I would have expected a lot better quality and workmanship. We called Gill at USA Marine Windows to give him our complaints and he asked that we re-crate the windows and he would have a truck pick them up later in the day and have them corrected and returned to us next Tuesday. Gill called back later and promised them back by next Friday.

Non Skid compound applied

2009-07-11T16:40:00.012-05:00

Today we applied 2 coats of a mixture of Interlux Brightside polyurethane paint and Interlux InterGrip Non-Skid Additive to the areas within the blue tape on the cabin top.

Second coat applied

2009-07-09T18:29:00.006-05:00

Today we lightly sanded the first coat of Interlux Brightside with 220 grit and applied a second coat to the area of the cabin top that will have a smooth finish. USA Marine Windows told us that our new windows should be delivered on Monday.

First coat of Brightside applied

2009-07-08T19:49:00.004-05:00

Today we taped out the areas where the finish will be smooth and applied the first coat of Interlux Brightside. The areas within the blue tape on the cabin top will be finish as non-slip. USA Marine Windows called this morning letting us know that our new cabin windows have been completed and will ship out from Florida on Friday.

Bristol Finish

2009-07-06T11:12:00.011-05:00

Sunday I spent the whole day applying 6 coats of Bristol Finish Traditional Amber Urethane around the windshield and cockpit side windows. After John completes the cabin top, I'll go back and lightly sand it with 220 grit sandpaper and apply 2 more coats. In the meanwhile John will complete the cabin top with another coat of primer then top it off with 2 final coats of white Interlux Brightside polyurethane paint.

4th of July

2009-07-04T14:17:00.005-05:00

As everyone is enjoying picnics, BBQs, and fishing, my day started on the boat wiping down all the wood with acetone then taping and papering then applying a coat of stain on all the wood I finished sanding yesterday. Tomorrow I will apply six coats of Bristol Finish Traditional Amber Urethane. Later I will lightly sand everything again an apply 2 more coats of Bristol.

First priming

2009-07-04T05:57:00.009-05:00

The first coat of Interlux Pre-Kote primer has been applied. One more coat of primer then comes the finishing coats of Interlux Brightside polyurethane yacht paint.

More sanding & priming & staining

2009-07-02T20:35:00.007-05:00

This week I started sanding around the cockpit windows and applying a coat of stain as a sealer to the new wood in the cabin. John continued fitting the engine air intake cowlings back in place, fairing the top with fiberglass filler then sanding and applying a coat of Interlux Epoxy Primekote primer over the area of the cabin top that will have a smooth shinny surface. The areas within these surfaces will have a nonslip final coating.

The brighter sides will be finished as a smooth surface whereas the middle areas will have a non slip surface.

Final sanding and coatings on the hand rails

2009-06-23T17:52:00.009-05:00

After allowed to cure for 2 days, the wood rails and the hatch cover was sanded down with 220 grit sandpaper and 2 more coats of Bristol Finish Traditional Amber Urethane applied for a total of 8 coats. These pictures were taken after they were allowed to dry and harden overnight.

Bright work refinished

2009-06-20T21:39:00.008-05:00

The wooden rails and the hatch cover was stripped and sanded to bare wood, stained with cherry stain then finished with 6 coats of Bristol Finish Traditional Amber Urethane.

Fiberglass ready to puddy

2009-06-20T21:23:00.008-05:00

The fiberglassing is now completed and ready to be puddied, primed and painted.

Final preps

2009-06-06T09:26:00.005-05:00

The final preps before fiberglassing is almost completed.

The window cutouts are defined and secured

2009-05-16T23:19:00.007-05:00

The window cutouts are defined and secured. John can now produce an accurate drawing to send to USA Marine Windows. Still a bit more wood work to do inside, and the move to the cabin top and sides in prep for fiberglass overcoating.

In with the new frame supports

2009-05-05T21:50:00.004-05:00

All the old wood that had rotted has been removed from the windows and both the port and starboard cabin windows have been framed out. These frames will be fiberglassed over before installing the aluminum framed windows from USA Marine Windows.

The snow is gone

2009-04-22T06:59:00.014-05:00

The snow has melted and it's time to get back to work.

John has redesigned the side cabin windows correcting some flaws when Chris-Craft first designed this boat almost 50 years ago. There will be three sets of windows encased in aluminum frames on each side of the cabin with sliders and screens on the ends and the center window as a non-slider. By dividing the group of windows by three instead of the original two windows on the sides will give two columns for greater strength holding up the cabin roof. In the original Chris-Craft design, the strength in holding up the cabin top was in the glass sitting on a wood frame. The windows will be coming from USA Marine Windows Mfg. Inc. in Dania Beach, FL.

Dec 12th Update

2008-12-12T16:02:00.003-06:00

Still too cold to work on the boat.

3rd big snow in Oconto and all is well.
Dec 12, 2008 10:16 PM 5.0 °F Overcast with brightest Full Moon of the year.

Work has come to a stop for the winter

2008-12-06T06:59:00.003-06:00

Dec 6, 2008 6:59 AM 19.4 °F

November 24th Update

2008-11-24T09:38:00.004-06:00

The vinyl/canvas cover over the top of the cabin has been completely removed to allow the wooden top to dry out over the winter, then it will be fiberglassed over.

November 15th Update

2008-11-15T14:51:00.005-06:00

This week's update shows part of the canvas/vinyl covering and fiberglass engine room air intakes removed on the port side. All of the canvas covering over the cabin needs to be removed so the wood under it can dry out before fiberglassing it over.

Cabin windows removed

2008-11-02T07:39:00.004-06:00

The cabin windows on the starboard and port sides have been removed. All of the wood on the lower sills will have to be replaced. The plastic vent cover over the galley has also been removed in preparation to remove the vinyl fabric over the cabin top and replacing it with fiberglass.

Shrink wrap completed

2008-10-13T20:30:00.000-05:00

Framing almost completed

2008-09-20T16:25:00.003-05:00

John and I continued working on the shrink wrap framing until my back was hurting too much for me to keep working. The frame is almost finished ready for the shrink wrap guys but it may be another 2 weeks before they will be able to get to us.

Reassembling Shrink Wrap Framing

2008-09-18T15:51:00.003-05:00

Before we could move the boat from the marina to the workshop, we had to disassemble the shrink wrap frame then reassemble it once it was moved. For the last couple of evenings John and I have been reassembling the structure. We should have it ready to shrink wrap by this weekend.

Boat Moved

2008-09-16T20:04:00.007-05:00

The Shangri-La was moved today by Bayside Ice & Marine Recovery from Hi Seas Marina to John Winter Yacht's workshop here in Oconto, WI .

Moving

2008-09-08T19:47:00.003-05:00

A decision has been made to move the Shangri-La from the Hi Seas Marina 3 miles to John Winter Yacht's workshop.

Shrink Wrap Support Structure

2008-08-30T15:55:00.001-05:00

Today we started to build the support structure over the boat that will hold the shrink wrap over the boat during winter storage while providing working space around the outside of the cabin.

Cabin Top Supports Built

2008-08-29T15:46:00.001-05:00

Today we shored up the cabin with a framework inside the cabin. The framework is required because in the design of the boat, the cabin windows provide structural support for the cabin top. Once the windows are removed there is very little support holding up the cabin top. As we rebuild the window frames, additional structural support will be added to hold up the cabin top.

Hauled and Shored

2008-08-27T19:40:00.002-05:00

We hauled the Shangri-La out of the water today, pressure washed the bottom and shored on blocks.

Trim Removed

2008-08-23T06:50:00.001-05:00

I took the trim off from around the cabin side windows. Here are some pictures of water damage that has to be repaired.

Starboard Side

Port Side

Delivery to boatyard

2008-08-14T18:02:00.003-05:00

Our son Lee Summers and I delivered the Shangri-La to the Hi Seas Marina in Oconto, WI this morning to start PHASE 1 of the cabin refit with new windows from USA Marine Windows and cabin top. There will be two sliding windows on each side, with screens, encased in aluminum framing. The front cabin windows will also be replaced in aluminum framing. All glass will be tempered and tinted. The wood on the bottom of the frames along the sides of the cabin have rotted so that all has to be replaced first. The vinyl covering on the top of the cabin will also be removed and replaced with fiberglass. John Winter of John Winter Yacht will be overseeing this project. We travelled a distance of 28.5 miles today using about 30.5 gallons of fuel costing $114.07 at $3.74 a gallon.