June 27, 2002 Dear Ginger, What is my boat worth? If I restore it, will I ever get my money back? People often ask me these questions. The answer varies according to the situation. First of all, I remind them that these boats went out of popularity back in the sixties when fiberglass came in. Now the market is weak because only nostalgic, retired folks that have time to fool around with varnish would want it. Advertising in the paper,

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us for this National Boating History Conference. I think everyone here would agree that few things are as pleasing as a gorgeous mahogany boat. The beautiful varnished wood is enhanced by fabulous chrome plated hardware. What makes this hardware so beautiful? The outstanding chrome plating. In the teens and twenties marine hardware was bare brass or nickel. Both would become dull with age. Around 1932 Chrome plating became available, to keep

This is the time of year to spruce up the boat for the season. Even the best chrome needs going over after a few months around salt water. The dull haze that accumulates, is made up of oxides of the base metal, that leak out of tiny microscopic holes in the plated surface. This electrolisis is a natural phenomena that plays a part in the breakdown of all dissimilar metals. To restore the original shine, the dull film must be