Boards Going On

It's always an exciting time when a project shifts from taking pieces off the boat to putting new board on. Margo, the 1947 Chris-Craft Rocket, is getting a new bottom, finally, after a few supply chain delays. Most of the boards on the inner skin were in great shape; only 7 needed to be replaced. Now to get these new ones shaved down to size and a whole new outer skin dry-fit before she'll be ready for installation.

I have mentioned in previous newsletters about the exciting, albeit boatless, project I'm working on for Visit Aurora! Alongside my neighbor MacKenzie Hardt of Hardt Family Cyclery, I am designing and building a custom, wooden cargo box for the cargo bicycle that will store all necessary materials—including an umbrella—that will unfold when parked into a mobile promo stand for the city. I'm working on some initial renderings now but hope to have something more to share in the near future.

In the meantime, if you're in the market for a new bicycle, especially some amazing cargo bikes and e-bikes, check out Hardt Family Cyclery. Every boat needs a bike for pulling into a dock and cruising around town!

From Around the Blog

Working with Others, Alone

I love thinking about restoration work as quintessentially communal, even if I am (as I so often am) working in my shop alone. I’m working out these ideas in a longer-form article and/or series, but here’s the general gist for the blog. If it does become something larger, I’ll be sure to link to it here.

Boats for Sale

Want to Work on Your Own Boat?

Perhaps for you, building your own boat or restoring a classic woodie is the most satisfying piece of a boating hobby, and I completely understand! I also know just how overwhelming it may feel to know where to start or how to troubleshoot certain problems as you go.

You are not alone, which is why I have begun consulting and training individuals in just this position. Some are building a boat from scratch in their garage and others are looking to learn how to restore and work on their own antique boat alongside me in my shop.

Either way, you can expect to have me right there with you — providing guidance, an extra set of hands, access to specialized equipment, a fully-equipped shop, and all else in between. There are no projects too big or too small, so if you just acquired a boat and are not sure where to start or need some help with paint and varnish, we can work together to make it happen the way you want.

If this interests you at all, or if you’d like more information, contact me here:

As always, fair winds and following seas—even way out in Colorado,

Julius Spradley

Denver Custom Boatworks