Chris-Craft Project: To-Do or Not To-Do?

[Anthenium]

Okay, I've done a few projects in my day. Cars, motorcycles, house, electric guitars. I'm fairly handy with my hands & tools, and I think I know when to go to a Professional when something is over my head. I'm on the fence on this project, so I figure I'd run it by you fine people and get some inspriarion. 1st Off, my Wife is ALL for this, so that's a Plus.

While at a friends house who lives off of a lake I commented on his covered boat, noticing it said Chris-Craft on it. He told me that a nieghbor pretty much gave it to him when he moved, and that he was looking to pass a deal on to someone else. He said it ran fine, but it had rough interior, including some rotted wood. The hull was oxidized a bit, but seemed pretty solid. Here's a few pics of the outside

The interior is a bit rough, and there is some rotted wood under the rails:

I'm guessing the boat was left uncovered a few summers...

This seat is typical of most of the interior...

So, I'm on the fence. He is offering the boat for $500, $400 for a friend, which I seem to qualify as at the moment. It has a new screw to replace the current chewwed up one, and the 3.8 litre engine runs fine. The wood around the top of the rails is pretty bad under the upholstery, so that needs to be replaced. And there's sure to be a few not so obvious problems. But I'm thinking it would be a fun and fairly inexpensive project that I could enjoy while I'm working on it. It needs some TLC and elbow grease. Any thoughts on whether I should go for it or run?

What do you think?

 

[oops!]

Re: Chris-Craft Project: To-Do or Not To-Do?

it has an omc on it.......not worth it......HOWEVER.

if you just want to do a boat.....for 400 you cannot go wrong. parting it out will bring 2k.

but understand....you are going to spend 2500-3k dyi,,,,,and the boat will be worth only that after its fully done because of the drive. if you want to swap the drive for a merc or volvo.....it has to be when you are in for a full gut restoration.

the chris craft is a fantastic boat......but you are in for a transom stringer foam repalcement as well as new interior and more than likely a full paint job

 

[proshadetree]

Re: Chris-Craft Project: To-Do or Not To-Do?

If the engine runs and the out drive is good it should be a great project. I gave that much for a baylinner cuddy with absolutely no interior, busted block and an OMC out drive. about 2500 bucks later I have used her for about 3 years. I would check floors and transom as best as he allowed before purchase. If she has sat outside that long I bet it needs them.

 

[Anthenium]

Re: Chris-Craft Project: To-Do or Not To-Do?

Yes, here's the Engine:

 

[oops!]

Re: Chris-Craft Project: To-Do or Not To-Do?

love the boat........but it has an omc....omc stands for RUN away.

at the end of the project....you will have a fantastic chris craft that no one wants. a merc swap will cost 1000 used....and 3k new (sei drive)

 

[proshadetree]

Re: Chris-Craft Project: To-Do or Not To-Do?

Agree with OPPS that most hate the omc. But you have literally thousands of those drives still in service today. I have the cobra and when and if it pukes I will do a merc swap unless I find a cobra out drive at a steal. Are you keeping the boat or running a while and selling? How mad would you be if the out drive took a dump? Can the parts be found to swap that engine to a merc setup? That engine has the buick, olds, pontiac bolt pattern not the small block chevy. So a complete repower might be in order just to swap drives.

 

[mohead1]

Re: Chris-Craft Project: To-Do or Not To-Do?

Dam shame, looks like at one time it was a great boat. I like the cockpit area, full gauges and all kinds of indicators and such...but that outdrive.....I mean just the trim/tilt rack scares me, would much rather have the hydraulic cylinders like on a Merc....

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Chris-Craft Project: To-Do or Not To-Do?

Nice hull .. not too bad of interior ( in the scope of things ) ..

That Teak platform on the back is gold though !!

Just an FYI ..

YD.

 

[ingalp01]

Re: Chris-Craft Project: To-Do or Not To-Do?

I love Chris Craft, but agree with most, that the OMC is a warning sign. It all depends on how much time, money and effort you want to spend. I like the idea of an outdrive swap, but there may be lots involved in that. restoring an old boat is only worth it if you plan to keep the boat a good long while, and the money and time spent doing the restore will be earned back through the enjoyment of using the boat. It's not going to pay you back in greenbacks...

The fact that the Admiral (wife) is on board is a huge help, just know that if you dive into it, it will take twice as long, cost twice as much and at times be three times as frustrating as you thought it would be when you started.

Good luck and keep us posted...

 

[62 ROYAL SCOTT]

Re: Chris-Craft Project: To-Do or Not To-Do?

hey, go for it offer 325 if they take it you got yourself a boat,he said it ran fine .throw a wash&wax on it and some cheap seat covers get on the water and have some fun if it breaks down part it out like he said 2xg in parts heck you sell the trailer 3-4 you got your$back+ [THAT'S WHAT I THINK ]

 

[proshadetree]

Re: Chris-Craft Project: To-Do or Not To-Do?

As long as it is safe I agree with Scott. Check her out first though.

 

[Anthenium]

Re: Chris-Craft Project: To-Do or Not To-Do?

I am going to ask for him to Fire it up, and then assuming it runs ask for a Test Drive. Then if all is still OK I'll offer him $300 and see what he says. Being my 1st Power-Boat, a 6-banger couldn't be all bad. (Could it? What's the performance like on these 3.8 Litres?)

I'll let you know what he says after the weekend.

 

[produceguy]

Re: Chris-Craft Project: To-Do or Not To-Do?

If it runs great for 300$ go for it. Ride her tell she breaks and then dump it.