Editor's Note: First just let me say that I've heard from a great many of you about my lack of updates to this site...... Well guys I'm trying.... but admittedly not very hard. Between boat work, family work, and real work, time is short. We're well into the renovation. The engines are out... as well as the tanks. The transom is gone. New frames are going in. Bulkheads are being removed and rebuilt. I've got some new shots posted.... as well as a few new pages detailing the progress. Read the 'progress report' to the left.... sift through the new text below.... peek at the new pictures.

This is the Quetzal as she sat until delivered to us in September of 2001.... and as she sits now, in the midst of her total rebuild. She is a 35' Chris Craft Constellation, built in 1959. According to our research, she spent most of her "private time" as a family yacht on the upper Mississippi River. Some time ago, she was sold and used as a charter fishing boat. Through various quirks of fate and time, the Quetzal now belongs to my wife, Laura, and I. The Old Girl's new family consists of two small boys, and a couple of dogs. Our goal is to bring our 'classic' back to 'family useable' shape. This doesn't necessarily mean that the Quetzal will be restored to the museum quality that it had when originally launched. Rather, the Quetzal will be renovated. She'll be made strong and safe with an eye towards utility, economics, and yes, authenticity. The young lady is now back in 'family service'. She has boys to watch over, and owners to safely guide through the waters and islands of Lake Erie.

Speaking of the owners, you should know that Laura and I are teachers. I teach 8th grade History. Laura teaches middle school kids with learning disabilities. The decision of whether or not to undertake this project was a tough one. The two main hurdles for us to overcome..... it's expensive, and we've never worked on a wooden boat before. Now, before you doom us to certain failure, let us assure you that we're fairly quick studies. That, and we've been 'doomed to failure' by countless nay-sayers for countless projects. We've become fairly good plumbers, carpenters, cabinet makers and simple mechanics. We're going to be just fine. So, if you're one of those purists who can't conceive of people as inexperienced as us being up to this task, then please look for another web site. If, on the other hand, you're helpful, supportive.... or just plain want to be part of this train wreck... then stick around. We could use your insights and wisdom.

To learn some of the specifics concerning the renovations to be done, just click on About the Quetzal. That section contains links, on the left side of the page, that will lead you to the various 'project pages'. To see more "before photos", check out the Photo Album. If you've got comments (for us or Chris Craft / Constellation owners in general), suggestions, renovation hints, questions, or donations and you'd like to mail or e-mail us directly, go to Contact Me. If you'd like a listing of some helpful reading material concerning wooden boat renovation, as well as a list of some decent web sites, then click on Related Links.

Finally, Laura and I have been unable to find any web site dedicated solely to the renovation and maintenance of vintage Chris Craft Constellations. Therefore, we're including a Mailbag page for you to post your own specific questions and insights for the general 'Chris Craft' public. All you have to do is e-mail us. We'll post your letter and any replies that you may receive. Depending on the volume we get, your posting will stay up for a month. I should say, I think this page will work. It's sort of an untested type of deal. So what the heck, give it a test try !