Launch Day

May 1, 2009 was Launch Day! This was a very exciting and tension filled day. Would Steel Revival float? Would the engine start? Would all systems work?







After a season of boating only a few changes are scheduled for this winter. We will extend the rudder for a better response and install better window wipers. We love our boat and hope to do extended cruising.

Phase 7

During the entire restoration project we were pondering what to name our boat. We each had a list with possible names. In January '09' it was time to decide. We wanted a name that reflected her history.

Phase 6

We utilized every square inch of our boat's 26' length. We wanted comfort with a lot of storage. Everything had to have a permanent home. For our chairs we chose office chairs. The wheel is the only original thing on our boat. Small but serviceable describes the head. The galley even includes a microwave.

Phase 5

Now it was time to start on the wiring, plumbing and installing the engine. Everything had to be thought through from bow to stern. After much research a Kubota 37hp diesel from Beta Marine was chosen. We wanted a slow cruiser with low fuel consumption. When on the lake we are never in a hurry so cruising at 7mph is fine with us. These pictures are from August '08'.

Phase 4

The final coat of paint was done in June '08'.

Phase 3

The next step in the restoration was getting the boat ready for primer. This took 18 gallons of bondo and ?? hours of sanding! At this point it was also time to build a new trailer under the boat. Keith would cut out a section at a time and build a new one. I really did not like this part of the project. Keith was under the boat which was sitting on old trailer, new trailer and blocks. In May '08' the boat and new trailer were primed. She finally looked like a boat with potential!

Phase 2

Power washing is one thing, sandblasting another. What a messy job! The hull was so thin in places we blew holes through it. It was determined that 2/3rds of the bottom steel had to be replaced. We also extended and enclosed the cabin. A handrail was added to the foredeck. This is how the boat looked January '08'. Keith quickly learned he needed to become good at welding or become expert at grinding.

Phase 1

We always dreamed of buying an old boat, gutting it and revamping it to fit our cruising style. In October '07' Keith found this boat. I thought it looked like resurrection from the dead not a restoration project. We dream big!

This steel boat was built in Bay Port, MI in 1958 by Fred Brown. She was originally used as a utility boat to service freighters on the Great Lakes. When we found her, she had been sitting in a boat yard for over 15 years. The plan was to clean her up, then decide whether to go ahead with the project or sell it for scrape metal. We went ahead.