 The 1965 Commander 27 hurricane survivor as found--I deemed her an excellent candidate for restoration because she was one of the simplest models, single engine and no fly bridge; 1965 was the second year of the "Styled In Fiberglass" Commander 27; Our example was the smallest of three hull models offered for the Commander 27; I undertook the restoration for my dear friend Tony Bianco of New York--Tony named the boat "JB" after his father |
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 The cockpit, as found |
 The interior, as found |
 The V8 gasoline engine, not the original GMC 327--possibly an aftermarket Oldsmobile model |
 The bilge with engine removed--50 years accumulation of grease! |
 The forward bilge under the V-berth... more grease! |
 Helm console removed; repairing bulkhead rot |
 Tools for removing the old cutlass bearing, which was a nightmare! |
 The cutlass bearing--finally out! |
 Jacking the stbd/forward cockpit well back into place |
 The bilge in the engine space showing old engine beds removed; new engine beds installed prior to wrapping them with triaxial 'glass and epoxy |
 The old gas tank mounted right up against the transom--typical Chris Craft installation and an absolute bitch to remove! |
 The new gas tank--larger and further forward; battery boxes to left; mufflers P & S--all new |
 The new Buck Algonquin stuffing box and built-up shaft log |
 New bronze seacock mounted to original bronze thru-hull (good) The Commander had been in the Great Lakes--fresh water |
 Installing new transom exhaust fittings |
 Installing false frames for ceiling planking to cover the original hideous orange shag carpeting |
 The original refrigeration compartment--an absolute bitch to remove |
 The new refrigeration compartment insulated and ready for the new refrigerator |
 The new Isotherm refrigerator (from France) with correct beverages (from Ireland) |
 The new bilge pump for the V-berth bilge--I isolated the bilges into two seperate sumps separated by a new watertight bulkhead |
 The aft bilge pump under the engine |
 The fresh water pump and strainer mounted on the new engine room watertight bulkhead |
 The new instrument panel--back side showing wiring |
 The new helm console, controls, compass and instrument panel The aftermarket steering came with the boat |
 The Commander in primer--Awlgrip 545 |
 Finish paint--Nauticoat linear polyurethane Flag blue topsides; fighting lady yellow sheer & cabin sides; vivid red boot stripe; black antifouling |
 The new plastic water tank under a settee |
 Original coachroof overhead work--very shoddy |
 Epoxy repairs to overhead and pre-wiring for lights |
 Finished overhead--pre-painted 4mm plywood; mahogany trim; lights |
 A Sunbrella cover for the propane tank in the cockpit |
 New electronic ingnition kit for the rebuilt GMC 305 (5 liter) V-8 engine |
 The rebuilt GMC 305 V-8; Hurth transmission; paired 6VDC deep-cycle batteries & boxes |
 New prop and existing rudder with old retrofitted trim tab, which I had to modify |
 Replacing rotten engine room vents from the cabin sides |
 Replacing window components from the cabin front |
 The cabin front window frames after removing the old windows, which I replaced with smoked Acrylic |
 The rebuilt cabin sole with new drawers and painted settee faces; poplar ceiling planking (right); new mahogany trim |
 The rebuilt cockpit |
 WOW! |
 The galley--new cabin sole (teak & holly plywood); New mahogany companionway steps; New two-sided mahogany plywood doors and Perko hardware; New USCG plaques |
 Old engine room vent and cleat New engine room vent & cleat |
 The foredeck painted; New anchors and deck pipes; The aftermarket railings and bowsprit came with the boat |
 Original plastic drawers New wooden drawers using original mahogany faces |
 Wiring, elecrtical panels and battery charger inside the helm console |
 The instrument panel back cover (top); True sine wave inverter (left); AC and DC electrical panels; Hand-held VHF radio, fire extinguisher, air horn, etc I replaced all wiring and fixtures except for the original bow running lights |
 The head--original sink; refinished original mahogany bulkheads; new hardware; new sole |
 The original settees and table--the blue seat cushions came with the boat (not stock); I stripped the laminate plastic off the table and glued on a mahogany veneer; New teak & holly plywood cabin sole; New poplar ceiling planking; New mahogany trim; The sliding glass windows are original, but I replaced all the tracks; New foam V-berth cushions and Sunbrella upholstry; Refinished original mahogany drawer faces I removed and restored all SS and aluminum trim, inside and outside |
 The view forward in the saloon; The forepeak door is original, refinished, with new hardware; There is a filler panel and cushion for the V-berth to convert it to a double bed |
 Settees looking aft |
 The new galley with Eno SS 3-burner range, composite sink, new sliding Acrylic cabinet doors; I laminated mahogany veneer and ceramic tile on the new countertop |
 View forward; the chopping block on the sink is a high-density synthetic |
 We had to search for new name plates--found them! |
Ready to splash! |
 On our delivery north from Florida to New York, I hit a submerged tree in the ICW approaching Great Bridge, VA--severely damaged the rudder, strut and prop-- had to haul out at Atlantic Yacht Basin (an excellent boatyard) |
 The new rudder and strut--we replaced all the damaged parts in one long weekend |
 Side view--I trimmed the tabs down 8 degrees for much better performance |
 Nice wake! |
 Tony Bianco--JB's owner, and my close friend--serving a taco dinner on our trip north |
 JB on our trip north--we had a great time! The 50 year old Commander 27 was a joy to drive, and turned heads everywhere we went We cruised at that "sweet spot"--around 13 knots--to conserve fuel JB has a top speed of 25 knots |
 Leaving Manhattan in our wake |
 JB in her new slip at Minnefords in City Island, New York The total restoration cost $62,000, and took parts of two winter seasons |