CLASSIC YACHT PHOTOGRAPHY
GRETA GOES FORTH
A Matthews finds new purpose as she plies the waters of Puget Sound and parts North. This site offers a pictorial essay of her restoration over a ten year period.
1956 MATTHEWS STOCK CRUISER
Flybridge added in Seattle.
Updated electronics.
Seating converts to berthing.
A bench seat is added to provide more storage.
Doors may be fully opened to connect the deck house with the cockpit.
Large windows surround the deckhouse enclosure allowing 360º visibility.
Furniture moves easily to expose engine room hatches. Sofa may be stood on end in aft corner.
Cruising seats cleverly stow when not in use to offer more salon space.
Lower helm cruising is super comfortable with upholstered arm rests and factory foot rests.
The original vacuum gauges on these boats were works of art. Unfortunately, they had been replaced and new gauges added willy-nilly over the years. The new panel is less congested and retains the patented "DUALOCK" switches.
While the original Matthews controls remained, I decided to refit with similar period, single lever/dual function Morse controls. They were somewhat tricky to master at first, but make controlling the boat in tight quarters much easier.
By installing a mahogany panel above the helm, we were able to add new instrumentation without cluttering up the wheel area. Windshield fans were original, but needed restoration. Port side holds ship's bell clock and barometer.
Part of the port side bulkhead and headliner were removed to open up the dinette to the deck house.
A small companionway used to separate the galley/dinette from the main salon. With bulkhead removed, the galley doesn't feel like a dungeon.
The dinette table is made from a single slab of Honduran mahogany.