Custom Craft boats

[pachanganut]

I bought an old (early sixties ?)Custom Craft<br />at an auction because it is different with the intent of restoring it. This thing is such a departure in design that I'm not sure how this boat will handle, perform, or even be safe. If anybody out there knows of these boats, your input will be welcomed. They were built in Buffalo, N.Y. and have a tri-hull and a radical stepped hull. Powered by a 140 Mercruiser

 

[suzukidave]

Re: Custom Craft boats

I know a company named CustomCraft made small 16-18' deep v single hull boats in the late 60's and into the 70's and I think they were considered a better than average make. Out here where the water's salty, tri-hulls made by anyone were wet and pounded in a chop or worse so they didn't catch on or last and I don't know the model you mention. I do know tri-hull design in the early '60s was still pretty hit and miss and some early tri-hulls had some serious stability issues (I think there was even a corvair type class action lawsuit against someone based on them flipping).<br /><br />You can maybe date it by the i/o. Try and get a year for the motor/leg model on the engines board.<br /><br />Also, try fiberglassics.com for people into old glass boats who will know much more than me. Optionally, post a picture and we'll all tell you how fast we'd be prepared to run it without an adult diaper.

 

[pachanganut]

Re: Custom Craft boats

Thanks for the reply. It is powered by a 140 Mercruiser so I think the era is right. But I will run the serial #. A picture is a good idea, watch for it, but don't laugh too hard. I get enough of that from the wife and kids.

 

[Rub Rails]

Re: Custom Craft boats

A friend of mine had a Custom Craft when I was a kid. It pounded real bad but it quite fast. It had molded in headlights as if it were a car. Alan

 

[pachanganut]

Re: Custom Craft boats

Alan-you described my boat! I suspected the harsh ride. Don't know if I'll ever make the time to bring her back. I probably should<br />look for a new home for her. I'd let her go cheap! Anybody ready ready for a not too hard<br />of a restoration?