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River Queen Houseboat - tips on restoration and rebuilding of boats

by Jon
(Saint Louis, Mo. US)

River Queen Houseboats - rebuilding and restoring older boats

River Queen Houseboats - rebuilding and restoring older boats

I have recently acquired a 1967 38' River Queen and the boat is actually in very good shape other than the roof over the front half of the boat.


Can someone tell me how the roof is constructed? I would like to know what I'm getting into before I start ripping things apart.

I was also wondering if I could strip the vinyl coating off of the cabin so it could be repainted.

All or any restoration/construction tips would be greatly appreciated. I want to thank everyone for posting some great information.

Thanks, Jon, Saint Louis, MO




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Reply - Answer
Well Jon, congratulations on acquiring your River Queen, they are some of the finest steel houseboats still around.

As to the construction materials used in the front overhang, I am not really sure, so I will leave this to folks that have actually taken it apart.

Lastly, hopefully some of our readers and visitors will share and post comments about their River Queen houseboat restoration and rebuilding experiences.

Feel free to use the "Click here to post comments." link found near the bottom of this page.

Thanks again for sharing, IAN from all-about-houseboats


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Comments for River Queen Houseboat - tips on restoration and rebuilding of boats

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		wanted
by: Anonymous

looking for a boot, part #19-m-5 for 1969 river queen 37' with 318, call 701-898-1150
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		New River Queen facebook Group
by: Pyro Chuck

we lost administrative controls to our old facebook group so we started a new one with multiple admins to avoid any issues in the future. join our new river queen owners group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/378804799876228
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		pics and info to come
by: Pyro Chuck

we will be rebuilding our cabin and wheelhouse area soon on our '66 38' River Queen. Will be sharing pics and info as we go along here and in our facebook group please feel free to join us the address is below. Thanks everyone for this great resource right here!!

Pyro Chuck

https://www.facebook.com/groups/178332660250354/
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Have many mechanical parts available
by: Wayne Bolla

I bought a 50 foot 1970 River Queen a while ago in Peoria. I have recently repowered it and have a lot of mechanical items available. 318 complete engines, steering, hydraulics, mechanical cables, etc. Give me a call if you need something the out drives are already gone. 904 267-4860.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		removal of windows
by: Anonymous

Have a 1971 river boat queen. We are renovating and need to
remove the sliding glass from the windows.
Has any done this? any tips? Trying to fit new kitchen cabinets in.
PS very happy to have found this site....
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		River gueen
by: Allan

Looking to possibly sell my 50 ft 1972 queen only to some one who really wants to finish restration done alot of body work to manly stop rust and paint she's pretty munch all original got 440 engines Dana drives no any one text me 423 615 3031 am in Tennessee close to Chattanooga.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Restoring a 1965 38' River Queen
by: Mike

Hello, I am getting ready to hire a company to move my boat to the house (100 miles) for out of the water hull restoration. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Need Help 1966 River Queen
by: Anonymous

Have recently restored a 1966 River Queen, identical to the one in the picture. Only need one final part: a front starboard window. Can anyone help?
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Weight of a steel 40 ft River Queen houseboat?
by: ken

Can anyone tell me the approximate weight of a steel hull 40 ft RQ.

Thanks, Ken
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Restoration of a 1964 River Queen houseboat
by: Anonymous

We just bought a 38' 1964 River Queen houseboat and have started the restoration. Am looking for someone with info about the 318 Chrysler engines and Dana outdrives.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Steel Houseboat Roofs - fiberglass, wood, and steel
by: Sweet Pea

The roof on my 1972 40ft RQ houseboat is steel on the back half and fiberglass on the front half. The fiberglass has wood rafters going across the cabin with a steel frame around it inside the fiber glass. And 4ft x 12ft ceiling tiles on the inside.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Older Steel Houseboats - the reality of it all
by: Old Houseboater

Cost is not the only factor. Reality is that if you do it, you will be doing it for yourself alone. Wood cabin steel houseboats are basically valueless. The reason yours still exists is probably because it has been kept under cover. (boats kept in the open age about 5 times faster than boats kept under cover.)
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Helpful Houseboat Tips - Thank You
by: Anonymous

Your help is much appreciated! That gives me some insight on what I'm dealing with. The vinyl covering is in pretty poor shape and looks as if it has had it's share of painting done to it. She's a good ole' queen and I would like to fix her right, but as always, cost is a concern. Thanks For The Reply!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Houseboat Materials - the River Queen Canopy
by: Old Houseboater

The canopy is framed with stringers and battons and is plywood covered. This is then covered with what used to be called Nautalux (vinyl coated canvas).

Build some temporary supports down to the deck. Remove a section of the cover ply wood and replace/repair framing in that area, then replace the plywood, then repeat in another area. If you try to remove the entire covering at once you will lose the form and have all kinds of problems.

I redid a 1966 38 footer more years ago than I would like to admit. After I was done I added a vinyl covered 2x4 support under the canopy, about halfway forward, and ran pipe supports down to the hand rails. This stiffened up the top and looked like factory when completed.

If the vinyl on the cabin is not cracked up, paint the vinyl. If not recovering is really the only viable repair.

You have a very rare bear. Most of the Vinyl covered wood cabin River Queens have rotted away years ago. From 1969 on they were all metal construction.

Reply - Answer
Well Old Houseboater, you definitely win the "Post of the Day" for this excellent reply to Jon's original question.

IAN from www.all-about-houseboats.com
Rating
starstarstar 		thanks old house boater
by: Pyro Chuck

I appreciate your info on here as I have a '66 that needs a LOT of work. The wheelhouse may be salvageable but theliving quarters will be a complete remove and rebuild. I wish this forum was more like most other forums on the internet and easier to navigate, post pics, reply, contact, etc. Oh wellm thanks for being here and feel free to join our River Queen Houseboat Owners group on facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/178332660250354

Pyro Chuck

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