TOP PHOTOS
Jamie and I have owned three Commanders in a very short period of time (8 years). Here are some photos of recent projects either in progress, or completed. Please return often, as we hope to continue work on making her a real beauty!
PHOTOS UPDATED 03/26/2008
A Fresh Shine
Jamie takes the buffer to the higher elevations, while I manage the lower portions of the hull in this week-long project of getting the hull buffed and waxed. She's look pretty shiny here!
Smile for the Camera!
It's time to take a break from the compounding and buffing, and smile for the camera. A very blustery day, but temps hitting close to 80-degrees.
CP Back Home!
Command Performance heads back home on Friday, March 21st to her slip where other projects await her. She returned with a shiny hull, and a freshly painted bottom. The week-long stay at Portsmouth Boating Center also saw the final leg of a project to correct her trim system.
In Sync
A Christmas gift from 2006 finally finds it way to its resting place atop the beautiful mahogany dash that was fashioned in 2006 by friend Byron Smith. The installation of the engine synchronizer was a planned project with the assistance of Lee Dahlen.
The Full Effect
Here, you can see the synchronizer as it's nestled among the other navigational and operational devices aboard Command Performance.
From this...
To the left, you'll notice a gray, and tired interior. Despite the refinished trimwork, the bulk of the interior is covered in a wood-look-alike laminate that has long since passed its prime. In 1968, Chris Craft heeded the cries of its customers who were tired of spending most of their time working on keeping their mahogany interiors maintained. This was the year that saw Chris Craft move toward laminate walls with mahogany trim. For the time period, it was most likely seen as a bold and welcomed move. In 2007, it is time for something a little more updated.
... to this
After 3 years, and much work, we were proud to offer up a quiet debut of "Command Performance" and her new "look" in August of 2007. Here you will notice the new carpet, new furniture, new wall coverings, new headliner and new accessories. One friend jokingly refers to her now as "The Museum". Could it be the Victorian furniture?
The "Chaise"
Jamie was bound and determined we were going to have a chaise lounge in the salon. After visiting literally every affordable furniture store in the area, we found the chaise that would fulfill that mission.
Doesn't everyone have a fireplace aboard?
That's right, it's a fireplace. Even before the chaise was named the major piece of furniture for the salon, Jamie had been formulating a look. That look included a fireplace. This particular model satisfies that desire, while keeping the "no open flames inside the cabin" rule that I had. It's electric, and actually does contain a 5K BTU electric heater, as well as "lifelike" flame.
If you look closely, you notice the hidden lights underneath the cabin window. This is duplicated on the other side, and creates an awesome glow inside the salon.
From this....
The aft cabin of this cruiser had always been a troubled area. The unwanted intrusion of water, the complete and total rot of the hatch area, the flooring, etc. It was always referred to as "The Dungeon". This summer, that particular area of the boat took on a new look, complete with new flooring, new headliner, new mattresses, bedding, curtains (made from the bed ruffles in the 'bed-in-a-bag' bedding we purchased), and custom trim. She is BEAUTIFUL! (as witnessed in the photograph below).
... to this
We are especially proud of the aft cabin on Command Performance. I had no idea we would be able to bring about such a change in such a God forsaken area of this otherwise great cruiser. We are delighted with the final outcome, and look forward to finally being able to use this this area, otherwise known as "The Captain's Quarters".
Front Head Gets Overhauled
Wanting to incorporate the otherwise distasteful "harvest gold" countertop, we were able to re-wallpaper the front head in a striped, nautical paper (w/ very small gold stripe), along with a fresh paint job on the cabinets, new lampshade and some nice, nautical accessories.
The outcome was especially pleasing since this project saw my debut as "Wallpaper Man".
From Another Angle
The lower portion of the same cabinetry in the front head. Someone asked me if I painted the countertop, as it looked shiny and new. No, I did not paint it, or otherwise do much of anything. I did take a Scotchbrite pad, and while wet, went over the entire counter, which bought back its shine. The shine on the cabinets is a result of 3 coats of regular old oil based paint from Lowe's (lightly sanding between coats).
Salon Forward
In addition to the Victorian chair, you might notice the new set of curtains adorning the front cabin window. In addition to being "Wallpaper Man", you might also consider the moniker "Sewing Machine Guru", too. I dragged out the old Singer, and modified an 80" straight panel (from K-Mart) to make this curtain. It had been a while since I did anything on a sewing machine. Once I remembered how to thread the bobbin, I was like Betsy Ross on crack... sewing up a storm!
It's Hard to Believe...
Looking back on the salon, as seen to the left (pictured in June of 2004), she has come a long way from floating dumpster to the beauty she is today. We're quite proud of her, but certainly not resting on our laurels. We're poised to wrap up a few projects this winter, then begin work in earnest on making her outer layer look as good as her inner layer (or is that "lair").
Thanks for stopping by!
.