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TOPIC: 1929 Dee Wite
1929 Dee Wite 11 years 10 months ago #89323
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We have a 1929 Dee Wite arriving soon. We're really looking forward to the complete restoration and re-power of this rare mahogany thoroughbred. Of course, I'll post before/during/after photos.
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Website: NautilusRestorations.com
Mentor to the unenlightened! "Never allow logic to interfere with a boat purchase." - J. S. Hadley "Vintage quality beats new junk every time." - J. S. Hadley "Anything supposed to do two things does both of them half-assed." - J. S. Hadley "Success makes... |
Re:1929 Dee Wite 11 years 10 months ago #89324
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Soon as I saw “Nautilus” and “Dee White” I thought YOU SUCK ! …..but meaning it in a complimentary good way.
I figured you’d say: This guy gave me 150 bucks to haul it away, because he needed room for his Bayliner… with an outboard ? I can’t wait to see the progress !!! My only question : After seeing all of your great work, and the Nautilus flare you put on the projects. Will you be able to control the flare factor on this one ? I’m going on the assumption the owner wants as close to original with updated safety ? |
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Re:1929 Dee Wite 11 years 10 months ago #89327
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Well...yes and no. I make suggestions but owners make decisions. In this case, he wants to re-power with a V8, which would NOT be my choice...not in this boat. I tried to sell him on a nice little Chris Craft KFL dual carb 130 HP flathead I happen to have sitting around collecting dust...no go. I like V8's in fiberglass boats but flatheads in woodies. The customer may not always be right but he always writes the checks.
We're also going to re-do the upholstery in tuck and pleated deep green. So, for the most part, it will look original but have a 350 HP SBC hiding under the deck. I can live with it. We won't be doing anything permanent. A flathead could always be substituted in the future. For that reason, I'm able to stave-off the Chicken of Depression. I wish I could afford to own/restore the boat myself. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride. |
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Website: NautilusRestorations.com
Mentor to the unenlightened! "Never allow logic to interfere with a boat purchase." - J. S. Hadley "Vintage quality beats new junk every time." - J. S. Hadley "Anything supposed to do two things does both of them half-assed." - J. S. Hadley "Success makes... |
Re:1929 Dee Wite 10 years 10 months ago #105270
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Dee Wite Update:
The stem in the bow was bad wo we turned the boat upside down and peeled back enough planking to have a good look and maybe effect some repairs. No go. The first two frames were bad and the heavy duty solid white oak crossmember for the shaft log was rotten. Since the bottom was 85 years old, never replaced, we decided to "do the right thing." It's a good thing we did. Hanging the boat upside down by the stringers allowed all the cracked in half crossmembers to become visible. Bottom line, they're ALL bad. So, we replace them and add another couple months to the restoration. We shall "endeavor to persevere." 
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Website: NautilusRestorations.com
Mentor to the unenlightened! "Never allow logic to interfere with a boat purchase." - J. S. Hadley "Vintage quality beats new junk every time." - J. S. Hadley "Anything supposed to do two things does both of them half-assed." - J. S. Hadley "Success makes... |
Re:1929 Dee Wite 10 years 10 months ago #105279
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Yep pretty much inevitable with a boat that old with an original bottom. She'll be awesome and last another 80 year once you're done!
Bob |
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Re:1929 Dee Wite 10 years 9 months ago #106724
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The new keel and the main cross members are in with 5200, slotted and double-coated with CPES. All the battens are made and ready to go in as soon as I carve the new stem. The hull was misshapen from years of sitting dry on a trailer and we have had to straighten her out in all three dimensions. It's a BIG job that's thrown us a lot of curves.
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Website: NautilusRestorations.com
Mentor to the unenlightened! "Never allow logic to interfere with a boat purchase." - J. S. Hadley "Vintage quality beats new junk every time." - J. S. Hadley "Anything supposed to do two things does both of them half-assed." - J. S. Hadley "Success makes... |
Re:1929 Dee Wite 10 years 9 months ago #106725
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Nautilus,
WHAT is (or was) the original engine? =====> Fwiw, a man in Corpus Christi has a similar runabout with an American La France V-12 in it. yours, satx |
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Resistance to tyrants is obedience to Almighty God.
Thomas Jefferson, 1803 |
Re:1929 Dee Wite 10 years 9 months ago #106726
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That guy stole my idea! Remember, I'm building an ALF V12 for the 1955 Shepherd racer.
I have no idea what originally powered this particular Dee Wite. It arrived here with a worn out Chris Craft K engine. It's going to be re-powered with a 1937 Chrysler Royal straight 8. |
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Website: NautilusRestorations.com
Mentor to the unenlightened! "Never allow logic to interfere with a boat purchase." - J. S. Hadley "Vintage quality beats new junk every time." - J. S. Hadley "Anything supposed to do two things does both of them half-assed." - J. S. Hadley "Success makes... |
Re:1929 Dee Wite 10 years 9 months ago #106727
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Nautilus,
Fwiw, the Corpus Christi-based boat evidently was built with the ALF V-12. There also is (or at least used to be) a V-16 powered runabout that was evidently custom-built in Charleston, SC for a RICH guy from Baltimore, MD. yours, satx |
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Resistance to tyrants is obedience to Almighty God.
Thomas Jefferson, 1803 |
Re:1929 Dee Wite 10 years 9 months ago #106747
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Jan, that's going to be a beautiful boat, nice progress so far.
Bob |
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Re:1929 Dee Wite 10 years 9 months ago #107030
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Still plugging away at it...
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Website: NautilusRestorations.com
Mentor to the unenlightened! "Never allow logic to interfere with a boat purchase." - J. S. Hadley "Vintage quality beats new junk every time." - J. S. Hadley "Anything supposed to do two things does both of them half-assed." - J. S. Hadley "Success makes... |
Re:1929 Dee Wite 10 years 9 months ago #107056
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Excellent!!!!
Bob |
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Re:1929 Dee Wite 10 years 2 months ago #115168
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Been making a lot of progress on the Dee Wite...but it ain't quick or easy! Here's a few shots...lots more in the restoration photo log at:
www.nautilusrestorations.com/1929DeeWiteModel9.html
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Website: NautilusRestorations.com
Mentor to the unenlightened! "Never allow logic to interfere with a boat purchase." - J. S. Hadley "Vintage quality beats new junk every time." - J. S. Hadley "Anything supposed to do two things does both of them half-assed." - J. S. Hadley "Success makes... |
Re:1929 Dee Wite 10 years 2 months ago #115175
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She's looking GREAT Jan!
Bob |
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Re:1929 Dee Wite 10 years 2 months ago #115211
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I sure like your restoration posts. Always enjoyable to watch the progress.
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Great to be on board.
Rick |
Re:1929 Dee Wite 10 years 2 months ago #115425
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Reading up on Dee Wite, 1929 was the first year of production and the boats were made only up to 1935? Looks like they advertised heavily in MotorBoating Magazine:
books.google.com/books?id=4GiYsfMdVtcC&lpg=PA63&dq=%22dee%20wite%22&pg=PA63#v=onepage&q&f=false books.google.com/books?id=E0eiQmREhgUC&lpg=PA191&dq=%22dee%20wite%22&pg=PA191#v=onepage&q&f=false books.google.com/books?id=MTvTWI9f9BwC&lpg=PA185&dq=%22dee%20wite%22&pg=PA185#v=onepage&q&f=false books.google.com/books?id=nQqoBhPjzQoC&lpg=PA91&dq=%22dee%20wite%22&pg=PA91#v=onepage&q&f=false books.google.com/books?id=Vjaz3VdMcA0C&lpg=PA89&dq=%22dee%20wite%22&pg=PA88#v=onepage&q&f=false |
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Re:1929 Dee Wite 10 years 1 month ago #117028
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After the new topsides were installed, the owner decided that he wanted the original strakes and transom replaced as well so that all the exterior brightwork would be brand new. That's a great idea but should have been done before the topsides. Now it's going to require removing the cover boards in order to fit the top strakes...not a good idea but absolutely necessary.
Removing the old strakes was not exactly quick or easy and of course, the battens were shot. So, I've replaced all the battens and will begin re-planking tomorrow. Just re-sawing and planing the 3/8" thick planks from 1-7/8" mahogany stock is a major job that will require most of two days. I'll be fitting them using the router method. When the strakes have all been replaced, I figure I'll have replaced about 90% of the original wood on this boat...all but the stringers, vertical ribs, transom top frame and a few odds and ends. Drilling/installing/fairing 4,000+ bungs will most likely send me to the funny farm. 
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Website: NautilusRestorations.com
Mentor to the unenlightened! "Never allow logic to interfere with a boat purchase." - J. S. Hadley "Vintage quality beats new junk every time." - J. S. Hadley "Anything supposed to do two things does both of them half-assed." - J. S. Hadley "Success makes... |
Re:1929 Dee Wite 10 years 1 month ago #117042
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Doh!! I know how you fell, well I think I will if I can ever gat back at it. Too many other things keep popping up!!!!!!! She looks fantastic Jan and I can't wait to see her with her brightwork finished!!
Bob |
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Re:1929 Dee Wite 10 years 3 weeks ago #117360
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Transom planks made, rough cut, test-fit and drilled for bungs.
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Website: NautilusRestorations.com
Mentor to the unenlightened! "Never allow logic to interfere with a boat purchase." - J. S. Hadley "Vintage quality beats new junk every time." - J. S. Hadley "Anything supposed to do two things does both of them half-assed." - J. S. Hadley "Success makes... |
Re:1929 Dee Wite 10 years 3 weeks ago #117382
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Excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bob |
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Re:1929 Dee Wite 10 years 4 days ago #118046
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The strakes are going on slowly but surely. This is damned tricky work with a lot of steps and each step is a chance to really screw something up...and I can prove it! The seams need to be frog's ass tight and there's not a straight line on the whole boat! Actually, I've never replaced strakes before but I was sure I could do it given enough time and mistakes. I learned a lot from Dannenberg but I've made several improvements to his method, I think. Just re-sawing and planing the 3/8" planks out of 2"x10" African mahogany is a major job. That's some tough stuff! Anyway, here's the progress thus far:
Also, my upholstery lady dropped by with one of the seats which I'm having her do in tuck and pleated green leather. Not too shabby, eh? 
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Website: NautilusRestorations.com
Mentor to the unenlightened! "Never allow logic to interfere with a boat purchase." - J. S. Hadley "Vintage quality beats new junk every time." - J. S. Hadley "Anything supposed to do two things does both of them half-assed." - J. S. Hadley "Success makes... |
Re:1929 Dee Wite 10 years 3 days ago #118049
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Very nice!!!!!!!!!
Bob |
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Re:1929 Dee Wite 10 years 3 days ago #118057
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Wow !
Great work ! And those new seats are really going to make that boat pop. Much better than the flat cushion seats shown in the original “as delivered” picture. We really enjoy seeing the work that you, and others on this site do ! I hope any of my projects come out 1/10 as nice as the work I’ve seen here ? Keep the pics coming !!! |
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Re:1929 Dee Wite 10 years 3 days ago #118074
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I make these posts just for entertainment value...but thanks for the compliments. I got into this business by accident. After I had restored the 1940 Elco, people would ask, "Can you do mine?" All things considered, it's a pretty good way to make a living: No travel time/expense or parking because I work at home. No dress code, no set hours...and no boss.
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Website: NautilusRestorations.com
Mentor to the unenlightened! "Never allow logic to interfere with a boat purchase." - J. S. Hadley "Vintage quality beats new junk every time." - J. S. Hadley "Anything supposed to do two things does both of them half-assed." - J. S. Hadley "Success makes... |
Re:1929 Dee Wite 10 years 3 days ago #118091
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Just three rows of planks nineteen feet long: 642 bungs
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Website: NautilusRestorations.com
Mentor to the unenlightened! "Never allow logic to interfere with a boat purchase." - J. S. Hadley "Vintage quality beats new junk every time." - J. S. Hadley "Anything supposed to do two things does both of them half-assed." - J. S. Hadley "Success makes... |
Re:1929 Dee Wite 10 years 3 days ago #118094
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Excellent, gee I can hardly wait to do mine! lol Hey Jan which taper drill and counter sink brand are you using? I want to make sure I don't rip the Mahogany any when I drill mine.
Bob |
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Re:1929 Dee Wite 10 years 2 days ago #118129
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Bob, I use a DeWalt #8 DW2711 Drill Drive. They have nice sharp cutting flutes and make a neat 3/8" hole for plugs. Better buy at least 2. (I bought 6!)
Here's an Ebay address for them at a good price with free shipping: Jan |
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Website: NautilusRestorations.com
Mentor to the unenlightened! "Never allow logic to interfere with a boat purchase." - J. S. Hadley "Vintage quality beats new junk every time." - J. S. Hadley "Anything supposed to do two things does both of them half-assed." - J. S. Hadley "Success makes... |
Re:1929 Dee Wite 10 years 1 day ago #118143
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Boy that is going to be a sweet Boat!
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Re:1929 Dee Wite 9 years 11 months ago #118206
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Cool thanks Jan!
Bob |
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Re:1929 Dee Wite 9 years 11 months ago #118475
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The two upper bow strakes required semi-severe compound bends. Not having a steam outfit and being too lazy (or cheap) to build one, I opted for the soaking method. The planks are 3/8" thick African mahogany. I screwed together a rectangle made of cheap 2x4s and made a little "swimming pool" using 3 mil plastic. I set the two planks in the (empty) pool with small spacers between them and then weighted them with a couple plastic gallon milk bottles filled with water. Then I filled the pool to about an inch over the top plank and left them there for four days. After that, I clamped them in place and waited another four days for them to dry. When I removed the clamps, the planks looked like modern art but they fit the framework perfectly when I re-clamped them so I could trim to fit with the router.
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Website: NautilusRestorations.com
Mentor to the unenlightened! "Never allow logic to interfere with a boat purchase." - J. S. Hadley "Vintage quality beats new junk every time." - J. S. Hadley "Anything supposed to do two things does both of them half-assed." - J. S. Hadley "Success makes... |
Re:1929 Dee Wite 9 years 11 months ago #118482
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Outstanding!!!!!!!!!!!
Bob |
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Re:1929 Dee Wite 9 years 11 months ago #118737
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Finally finished the wood replacement...about 65% of the framing and 100% of the planking: bottom, hull, topsides and transom and about 4,000 bungs. I suppose it's still a 1929 Dee Wite but there's a lot of 2015 in it.
Now all I have to do is some semi-serious sculpting with a sander to fair it all together. That African mahogany is some hard stuff so I'll rough it in with 40 grit...or maybe 6 rocks glued to a hunk of cardboard. 
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Website: NautilusRestorations.com
Mentor to the unenlightened! "Never allow logic to interfere with a boat purchase." - J. S. Hadley "Vintage quality beats new junk every time." - J. S. Hadley "Anything supposed to do two things does both of them half-assed." - J. S. Hadley "Success makes... |
Re:1929 Dee Wite 9 years 11 months ago #118745
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Excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bob |
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Re:1929 Dee Wite 9 years 11 months ago #118790
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Really awesome work Jan. She is looking Sweet!
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Glasspar g-3 Owners Club, Marque Club Representative ACBS
www.g3owners.com |
Re:1929 Dee Wite 9 years 10 months ago #119055
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Mr. Hadley,
Don't know if you saw this ? Or if you need it ? |
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Re:1929 Dee Wite 9 years 10 months ago #119056
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Chuck:
Nope...we have a good one but thanks for letting me know about it. It's one of those things where if you need it, you can never find it. ....and my name is Jan! |
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Website: NautilusRestorations.com
Mentor to the unenlightened! "Never allow logic to interfere with a boat purchase." - J. S. Hadley "Vintage quality beats new junk every time." - J. S. Hadley "Anything supposed to do two things does both of them half-assed." - J. S. Hadley "Success makes... |
Re:1929 Dee Wite 9 years 10 months ago #119524
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Stained and ready for varnish.
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Website: NautilusRestorations.com
Mentor to the unenlightened! "Never allow logic to interfere with a boat purchase." - J. S. Hadley "Vintage quality beats new junk every time." - J. S. Hadley "Anything supposed to do two things does both of them half-assed." - J. S. Hadley "Success makes... |
Re:1929 Dee Wite 9 years 10 months ago #119527
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looks real good, Jan
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Re:1929 Dee Wite 9 years 10 months ago #119530
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Jan, great work. After I did my woodie years ago I swore I'd never do another. Following this post reaffirmed my convictions. You get to screw more than a horney highschooler.
Can't wait to see her finished, Cal |
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Re:1929 Dee Wite 9 years 10 months ago #119672
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Looks GREAT Jan!
Bob |
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