Here is a post of my old/new to me Cobalt 253 Condurre Cuddy - it came to me in rough shape - oxidized all over with a cracked block from improper winterization.

With a replaced 454 engine and about 20 hours of sanding and polishing (my arms almost fell off) it's coming back to life and recently is back on the water - runs good.

I'm going to use it this summer while I'm renovating a couple more boats and we'll see if I decide to keep it. I still have to make new cushions for the bed inside and get a cover for the bimini and a few other tasks on it.

Other photo is of a 1955 Chris Craft Sedan Cruiser I bought a couple years ago. I first saw this boat on Craigslist about 6-7 years ago for sale in southern Indiana. I always wanted a wooden boat, but it seemed too big of a project for me so I didn't get it. Unfortunately the guy who did get it had a stroke and after getting it apart was unable to complete the project. He had it just a few miles from my shop. I bought it from him.

The first thing I noticed was it had the original 65 year old bottom on it. Wasn't in bad shape, but those bottoms are supposed to last 10 years or so. I didn't feel like tackling that size project, so I sent the boat up to the Antique Boat Shop in Ft. Wayne Indiana to get a bottom put on it. They did it and got it back to me last year and I've been slowly making progress on it since. I've painted the sides, and gotten the engine ready to go back in. I've refinished the transom and now I'm getting the interior put back in - it's a slow process, because it's in pieces and I don't know what there, what's missing and how it goes together. I was hoping to get it on the water this year. Maybe.

Very nice Indy. Love the Chris Craft.