Upon completion of this engine restoration phase, the engine will. The boat is powered by a kbl 1hp 6 cylinder engine. Illustrated with historic museum photos, this book will appeal to boat enthusiasts who are just as interested in the intriguing history of the chriscraft as in the. Chris smith built his first boat in 1874 at the age of in algonac, michigan. This 17 chris craft deluxe runabout is a 1948 model to the best of the owners knowledge. The family and company that made runabout and cabin cruiser household. An iconic brand history dating back to the late 19th century, even the more novice boater is familiar with the chriscraft name.
Over two years in the making, the legend of chriscraft probes. The interior also was made new with correct materials in 1990. This 17 foot 1937 chris craft deluxe runabout antique wooden boat is in excellent condition. Preowned 1949 chris craft 22 runabout antique boat for sale in wolfeboro, new hampshire near concord. Her restoration included a fully overhauled original hercules model b yourengine that outputs 60 hp. Chriscraft 20 custom runabout 1947 mccall boat works. Full restoration and conversion at norton boat works in green lake. The history of chris craft boats classic boat sales and. Complete restoration with 3m 5200 bottom, 12 volt conversion, fire suppression system, waterline cover and trailer. This image will look fantastic printed on canvas, metal, wood or matted. The legend of chriscraft began in 1884, when christopher columbus smith began the smith boat house on the st clair river in algonac, michigan, to. You are looking at a 15 12 foot 1938 chris craft runabout utility. During this process, all engine peripherals, such as wiring, condensor, seals, gaskets etc. Gas tank was just purged, and wiring done on trailer.
Hackercraft is the name given to boats built by the hacker boat co. The current successor is chriscraft corporation, which produces motorboats under the chriscraft name. The next three are personal photographs of the boat on set, march 1992. It was shipped out of the algonac, mi factory on november 26, 1946.
Check out our listings to see what is available now. Chriscraft describes how smith, together with his sons and employees, designed a pleasure boat that captured the hearts of boat buyers who appreciated beauty as much as function. Absolute classics marine, kelowna, british columbia, canada. It comes with a 5200 bottom and is powered by a chris craft kfl1 hp 6 cylinder engine. Upon completion of this engine restoration phase, the engine will be given a coat of original chris craft blue paint. Restoration begins the restoration of a 1956 chriscraft. We removed the old transom and proceeded to clean up the mating surfaces on the hull, making them ready for the new transom. May 29, 2015 the legend of chris craft began in 1884, when christopher columbus smith began the smith boat house on the st clair river in algonac, michigan, to manufacture small duck boats and power launches.
Chriscraft 20 custom runabout is a 1947 model, hull number r20156. This boat was recently purchased in oklahoma from don ayers chriscraft historian by a local gentleman and brought to our shop for a complete makeover. A thoroughly researched and informative narrative brings the captivating 140year story to life. The big names ancarrow, century, chriscraft and trojan, among others and several that are new and hopeful have entered the inboardrunabout field. The wood frame hull is covered with expanded pvc and then the upper body is strip planked with mahogany veneer. Each kit has all the parts you need to build a beautiful static display for your. As you can see, the upholstery is in mint condition and the entire boat is gleaming from stem to stern. New revolutionary runabout is kept secret by chriscraft. Chris craft history chriscraft was founded in algonac, mich. Chriscraft corporation is at least the fourth iteration of the boat building company.
He is also the author of two previous rizzoli books, hinckley yachts and the. Auctions 1940 chriscraft deluxe runabout owls head. Chriscraft stamped a unique hull number in several places on each boat they built. In this important contribution to marine history, the legend of chriscraft. It was a simple lake boat for duck hunting, but demonstrated an extraordinary natural talent for working with wood. This image will look fantastic printed on canvas, metal, wood or matted and framed. We have a great selection of antique and classic boats from the 20s to the 60s of all makes and sizes. Chrome plated deck fittings, drive line hardware, flag and burgee are all supplied. Every aspect has been meticulously restored from the hull and planking to the rebuilt engine. They also maintained a file of hull cards for every boat built.
The history material is excellent dry reading witha lot of facts most people are unaware of. Antique and classic wooden boats for sale including chris craft boats, vintage mahogany hacker craft, garwood, riva, triple cockpits and runabouts plywood boat building planshow to build a fishing boat plans for free chris craft one of the prettiest boats ever. Upgraded to west system epoxy bottom soaking not required. Chris joined forces with his brother, hank, and began producing boats fulltime. Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids. It laid the groundwork for their future as builders of standardized runabouts. She has new decks and frames, and a new no soak 5200 bottom. Stainless steel valves and hard seats have been added to preclude. It was the largest manufacturer of production wooden boats and remains one the most soughtafter marques of classic and collectible runabouts. One of the most desirable, collectable, and attractive models ever produced by chriscraft. We removed the old transom and proceeded to clean up the mating surfaces on. Chris craft hull numbers antique wooden chris craft boats. All classic chris craft photographs ship within 48 hours and include a 30day moneyback guarantee.
Every model would be redesigned with a mix of retro styling and teak accents, cuttingedge hulls, and modern fiberglass construction. It was repowered sometime in the 1960s with a marinized buick 198 cid v6 by the universal engine company and was called the sabre. The book outlines a brief history of the fiberglass chris craft runabout and cruiser beginning in 1963, provides a treasure trove of tips and how to restoration techniques, and features fourteen specific boats within a dedicated chapter for each boat. Unfortunately the old plywood transom had soaked up lots of water over the years and was completely rotten out.
By the beginning of the 20th century, chris smiths reputation had begun to spread. The following three photographs are closer shots of the boat at the same show, january, 1993. The head was planed, and all other internal parts checked for wear and tolerance. Jul 3, 2012 1946 chris craft deluxe delux runabout 17 foot for sale by macatawa bay boat works and sold by. It was succeeded by chriscraft industries and then murray chriscraft before becoming. The complete wooden runabout restoration guide paperback by don danenberg. This photo is from the video tape of the hbo movie citizen cohn. Their no wood construction in their hull means more durability. This is a jpg image if a 1930 chris craft runabout that is ready to download and print. The original chris craft model k 95 hp 6 cylinder engine has been rebuilt and runs very smoothly. Chris craft stamped a unique hull number in several places on each boat they built. This 1957 17 chris craft custom runabout is ready to go. Early hull numbers were simply a number series, but later on they implemented a system that incorporated the model and length into the hull number.
The company was sold by the smith family in 1960 to nafi corporation, which changed its name to chriscraft industries in 1962. May 11, 2020 chris craft 20 custom runabout is a 1947 model, hull number r20156. It has a 5200 bottom as well as custom made sealing panels which can be seen in the pictures. The company was known for its runabouts, utilities, commuters, and tenders. Modern color photography depicting restored and factoryoriginal runabouts and cruisers at speed and dockside details the evolution of chris craft boats from the early handbuilt years through the introduction of assemblyline techniques, the move to fiberglass hulls and chris craft s demise in the 1980s. Oneofakind conversion to resemble a 193031 17 runabout 226 built. Along with a handful of others, such as gar woods and chriscrafts, hackers gleaming mahogany runabouts captured the.
Feb 11, 20 the famous chris craft 1949 racing runabout kit. This is the display at the 1993 pittsburgh boat show. It is an all wood replica of the legendary runabout. The big names ancarrow, century, chris craft and trojan, among others and several that are new and hopeful have entered the inboard runabout field. This boat was kept in a boathouse during its years of use, and has been safely tucked away in a barn since 1976. The legend of chriscraft probes the surprising history and legacy of. Whether you want a cuddy runabout or an offshore style boat, there is no problem. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and. The trailer is a 2006 custom aluminum model by magic tilt and has been upgraded with led lights. Even current chriscraft models continue to offer classic traits of earlier motor boating in design and construction. In our shop currently is a great little chris craft kit boat, built in 1954. It wasnt long before chris and his brother hank began building a succession of wooden boats. This boat is from the dumass laser classic collection. Boat is being listed as used, which means its not like new.
This rare, 1941 16 deluxe runabout is a prewar chris craft and officially falls into the antique category. I have a few manuals and a copy of the original build sheet to go with it. Preowned 1949 chriscraft 22 runabout antique boat for sale in wolfeboro, new hampshire near concord. I recently found this chris craft in a personal collection. Levoy drive, suite 100 taylorsville, ut 84123 18009807206 0018015710071 outside the u. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription. My first post here on rcg and my first rc boat build and i would like to share my build because im a showoff. Let hagerty help you find out about how to value classic chriscraft wooden boats. View 38 photos, features and a detailed description. The hull was covered with a layer of fiberglass from the water line down.
Chriscraft is without doubt the most prestigious name in the history of american boatbuilders. The varnished mahogany runabouts of yesteryear, and their modern. Chris craft sticks to its reputation of great craftsmanship. The models range from an 8foot pram to an upcoming 16foot custom runabout. This beautifully illustrated history of the michiganbased company and its most significant powerboats begins in 1922, when the mercurial christopher columbus smith.
Chriscraft boats was an american manufacturer of boats that was founded by christopher columbus smith 18611939. Chris craft runabout 20 speed boats model ship wood replica not a model kit. The family and company that made runabout and cabin cruiser household words and. Choose your favorite classic chris craft photographs from millions of available designs. Parts on this boat may need replaced, fixed, restored, or cleaned. The hull was rebuilt, the entire boat sanded and varnished in 1990. Since 1874, chriscraft has built boats of immense beauty that evoke an. It became famous for its mahoganyhulled powerboats from the 1920s through the 1950s.
Watching the sun set awaiting fireworks on the chr. The name alone conjures up images of classic wooden boats, waving flags, and unforgettable memories made on the waves. Vintage chriscraft, assembly required soundings online. This boat won the acbs award for most original in show at the 2017 essex boat show, hosted by the southern new england chapter. Chriscraft stock wood production ran from 1922 to 1972.
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