CHRIS CRAFT COMMANDER FORUM ®
.......A photo-intensive technical reference file and ongoing newsletter regarding the original fiberglass Chris-Craft Commander series. This is an independent not-for-profit and non-commercial web site, not affiliated with the Chris Craft Commander Club ~~ or ~~ Chris-Craft Corporation. Our mission here is to "have fun and share information" about the Commander series (and those associated fiberglass boats on the Chris-Craft family tree) for your individual personal use, and by doing so help promote the good name of Chris-Craft, and help preserve, restore, and appreciate Chris-Craft boats. The main reference feature is the ever expanding MASTER INDEX File which contains what we believe to be the world's largest collection of documentation photos and technical information on the Chris-Craft Commander line of boats, (like these original brochure scans, featuring the iconic first 38 Commander styled by Fred Hudson, and many of the great Dick Avery renditions that followed) , (a huge collection of Chris-Craft 427 tuning and specification information), and a few words about how to use the forum.
We extend to you a cordial "WELCOME ABOARD !" Come on in, make yourself at home, we are a friendly group of enthusiasts, and we also appreciate the classic Chris Craft Roamer, Corsair, and Lancer boats too , as they are all on the same family tree and share much in common !
Paul, Phil, and All:
As I look back at all your posts, I am reminded that I am in the same boat, pardon the pun, with regards to many of the photos. Our commanders are not constructed the same way.
With regard to the screws, I know of no easy way other than to use the correct bit, and very carefully exert sufficient pressure on the drill to keep the bit in place. Also, use the SLOW setting on your drill driver. The fast drilling speed will rip the screws out in a second.
I often have to pry the board off the screw and then cut the screw off. Not a good solution, but a sufficient one. I also use a pair of vice grips and if I can get the screw head in them, then just twist them out.
If the outer board where the screw head is located will be scraficed, then I use a dremel cutoff disc to cut the head off, then twist the rest of the screw out with the vise grips.