Bruce's Norseman Restored

[Marty Loken (Norseboater)]

Attached are a few shots of Bruce Drake's Norseman express cruiser, which we finished restoring today.

The boat received fresh paint and varnish everywhere, along with newly designed mahogany cockpit helm seats (storage beneath), a modified console with Teleflex steering to replace the old cable-and-drum setup, a slightly taller transom to accommodate the new four-stroke outboard Bruce will run, and a few other doo-dads.

We were able to match the original two-tone green with standard colors available from my new favorite paint manufacturer, Marshall's Cove Paints, made locally and featuring the most amazing palette of vintage-boat colors. The paint goes on nicely and is available in Gloss, Semi-Gloss, Satin or Flat...in pints, quarts or whole gallons. (I prefer Semi-Gloss for most boat work.)

The Norseman is a great little boat; I'm sure Bruce and Eileen will enjoy it thoroughly.

- Marty

[Marty Loken (Norseboater)]

Another Norseman Photo

For some reason, I'm only able to upload one photo at a time, so here's a second view of the Norseman cockpit area.

- Marty

[Marty Loken (Norseboater)]

Norseman, Exterior Shot

...and here's one shot of the outside of the hull, showing the original-pattern two-tone paint scheme, matched with paint from Marshall's Cove Paint Co.

- Marty

[Helmar]

Picture testing

I am just testing to see how many images I can upload at one time.

Just random pictures that I happened to have.

I will compare accounts Marty to see if I can figure out why only one at a time for you.

[Skagitguy]

WoW ....Marty, What a beautiful job as always.I think i would be afraid to even take that baby out. Is Bruce going to build a museum for his collection ? Best,Chuck

[Marty Loken (Norseboater)]

I am just testing to see how many images I can upload at one time.

Just random pictures that I happened to have.

I will compare accounts Marty to see if I can figure out why only one at a time for you.

Joe - I think I figured it out. I used the iPad Mini to shoot and send the photos, and the Mini seems to identify every picture the same way....as "image.jpg" or whatever. So, when grabbing each one to upload to the Forum, they all become identified by the Forum server as the same image...and only the last one uploaded actually appears. In the future, I'll Save each one in iPhoto, giving them different names, before uploading. Either that, or figure out how to make the iPad automatically assign different sequential numbers as they're shot. - Marty

[Charlie]

Great job Marty! C/P

[bruceb]

Spectacular boat, Marty !
Thanks for posting !
bruceb

[Guest]

That is just beautiful. Words fail.

[Bflaherty]

Joe - I think I figured it out. I used the iPad Mini to shoot and send the photos, and the Mini seems to identify every picture the same way....as "image.jpg" or whatever. So, when grabbing each one to upload to the Forum, they all become identified by the Forum server as the same image...and only the last one uploaded actually appears. In the future, I'll Save each one in iPhoto, giving them different names, before uploading. Either that, or figure out how to make the iPad automatically assign different sequential numbers as they're shot. - Marty

Joe / Marty,

This is an issue with iOS system. I have the same problem if I try to upload a pic taken on my iPhone5...

[TheBronze]

Nice work, Marty. The paint looks cool and retro, just like it should!

[Marty Loken (Norseboater)]

More Photos, Norseman

Here are a few more shots of the Norseman, taken this morning before we delivered the boat to Bruce.

Considering how unusually original the Norseman was, especially for a 1950s plywood boat, it was decided to maintain the essence of the boat's original paint and varnish--repainting it in the exact original two-tone color scheme, and varnishing without taking the original mahogany plywood and solid mahogany cabin planks down to bare wood, but rather maintaining some of the boat's magical "patina" by allowing some of the wear-through spots and stains to show through the new varnish. (It would have been possible to take all wood surfaces down, stripping and sanding away all evidence of the boat's age, but Bruce wisely--I think--opted for the "patina look," so we lightly touched up some of the worn-through areas but did not attempt to totally hide signs of age before applying coats of fresh varnish.)

So, in any case, if the Norseman was my boat (I wish!), I'd probably name it PATINA...and hugely enjoy having a restored boat that doesn't look grossly over-restored.

Look for the Norseman at some events this summer, patina and all.

- Marty

[Steve_Kiesel]

Those last pictures really show what nice lines the old Norseman has. All the beautiful wood showing doesn't hurt either. Nice job as always Marty. Have fun showing her off Bruce.

[Helmar]

Looken good Ole.

So, what are you going to end up with for a power boat once your retired???
I know how this wood calls to you :BigWink1:

Just remember, this is a Whole New Concept for you.
You will have to restore one for yourself and Keep it for awhile.
No fair selling it as if you do, you have to restore yourself another one.

My bet is that you will have one that you use, then be working on its replacement and of course, lots of mahogany VeryBigSmile

[McSkagit Tim Jones]

Norseman restoration

Wow! Nice looking Norseman. My dad's best friend had what was probably the same model.

Are those seat backs original? Nice job Marty!

A lot of these 1950's boats were pretty utilitarian. I agree about not over-restoring them.

Looks great and hope to see it on the waterways.......

Tim