Give-away Chris-Craft

[armillary]

I hope it's OK to give something away on this board. Since I'm not asking anything for it, I hope you'll agree it's not a solicitation. <br /><br />My stepfather was clearing out his barn a few years ago and gave me a 1956 Chris-Craft 16-ft. Outboard Express Cruiser. It's one of the plywood boat kits that Chris-Craft sold for a few years in the 1950's. He bought it new (it was an already assembled demonstration model) used it for a few years and it sat in storage for many years. It's now been sitting in my backyard for several years and it's got to go. I don't think it would be a difficult restoration, but I just have too many other projects. It comes with a trailer and a Johnson Sea-Horse 30 outboard, which was working when put in storage but has since siezed up. Also some original paperwork. You have to take it all. If you email me I can give you the details and some pictures. <br /><br />My email is armillary at adelphia.net.<br /><br />Regards,<br />Mike

 

[one more cast]

Re: Give-away Chris-Craft

welcome to iboats armillary, I'm sure someone here will grab it up.

 

[vegard]

Re: Give-away Chris-Craft

Im very interested in this boat! I just finished my last project, and Im ready for another one!<br /><br />Im in Bethesda, MD, and I would love to come take a look at the boat. If you let me know where it is, I can probably stop by and take a look to see whether I want it.

 

[petrolhead]

Re: Give-away Chris-Craft

Wow, you can give it to me! If only I didn't live a few thousand miles away, delivery may be a problem!<br />I've been trying to find a source of plans/drawings for those old Chris Craft kit boats, if anyone knows I'd be very grateful...

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Give-away Chris-Craft

donate to charity perhaps?

 

[armillary]

Re: Give-away Chris-Craft

Thanks to all for your replies. I sent pictures to Josh and Vegard. Josh is interested and will probably take it. I'll let you know if that doesn't happen. <br /><br />Petrolhead, I have a 1956 color brochure with pictures of the Chris-Craft boat kit models. It's too big for my scanner, but I could scan sections of it and send it to you if you'd like. Or maybe someone has some space and would like to post it for everyone. Let me know. <br /><br />The kit boat parts were all pre-cut, and from the description in the brochure, it looks like assembly instructions, rather than plans with measurements were included. I guess the plans would have to come from the archives at Chris-Craft.<br /><br />Again, thanks to all for your help.<br /><br />Regards,<br />Mike

 

[petrolhead]

Re: Give-away Chris-Craft

I guessed that drawings might not be available, unless anyone had a set of original factory drawings, or someone had pulled apart an old boat and had the foresight to trace the parts.<br />I have some copies of brochures myself, and stuff in Chris Craft books too, but if you find somewhere to post yours I'd like to know in case there's something I don't have.<br />I just thought it would be really cool to build a replica Chris Craft kit boat, the 14' De Luxe Runabout is nice, and with an appropriate motor on the back (Commander of course) would be great! The Express Cruisers are nice too, although rather more work involved.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Give-away Chris-Craft

Hey Everyone!<br /><br />Mike and I have been exchanging a few emails. He's a real nice guy I'm going to pick up the boat from him this weekend. I'm looking forward to it and am in the process of getting books so I can redo this old boat properly. Thanks Mike!<br /><br />Petrolhead, if I can help you in any way with measurements or pictures of Mike's boat, just let me know. I'm happy to help.<br /><br />Vegard - I hope I didn't steal this out from under you - this came at the perfect time for me. I lost out on a Boston Whaler I was trying to buy but the seller wanted too much...The next day, Mike made this offer and I couldn't refuse it.

 

[one more cast]

Re: Give-away Chris-Craft

hey mike don't be a stranger here, come visit on the dock side chat forum.

 

[petrolhead]

Re: Give-away Chris-Craft

Jsfinn, you must post some photos of this boat asap! I think it might be asking too much for you supply enough info to build a replica, but some good photos would be a big help, if I can collect enough details from other sources (like Chris-Craft themselves maybe) I might have enough to draw up a plan of my own.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Give-away Chris-Craft

I just got back from Barns and Nobel (www.bn.com) and picked up a book called "How to Restore Your Wooden Runabout" They had several other books just on Chris-Craft. Not so much technical data, but tons of pictures. They also had other books with blueprints and instructions.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Give-away Chris-Craft

Petrolhead<br /> You may want to check this site out.<br /> http://www.boat-links.com/boatlink.html

 

[petrolhead]

Re: Give-away Chris-Craft

I just had a reply from the Chris-Craft Antique Boat Club, and it seems that all Chris-Craft records were passed to the Mariners Museum, I'll contact them to see if they have anything, it sounds quite hopeful.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Give-away Chris-Craft

petrolhead,<br /><br />I got the same information from them today.. I couldn't find a phone number for them quickly so I guess I'll email them tomorrow.<br /><br />I think they are in Norfolk, Virginia which is 4 or 5 hours from here. Might make a nice weekend trip sometime.

 

[John Carpenter]

Re: Give-away Chris-Craft

The folks at the Mariners Museum are extremely helpful. You will need to supply them with your hull identification number and a small fee. They will provide you with any info they may have on your boat. I got original factory sales brochures (color) as well as some paperwork that pertained to my particular boat listing options, engine serial numbers, dealer sold to etc. Their website is http://www.mariner.org

 

[sundog]

Re: Give-away Chris-Craft

petrolhead~ have you checked out the GlenL website for boat plans/kits? they have a lot of old retro style boat plans to build with plywood. theyve been in business since the 50's or so, and a lot of thier plans are original designs in that old style. beautiful! Im going to order and build their aquacat design soon. good luck.<br /><br />www.glenL.com

 

[petrolhead]

Re: Give-away Chris-Craft

Sundog, yes I have checked out Glen-L, just spent the last 10 months building their Squirt in fact, I'm a regular on their forum too.<br />I do love the style and some of them are very close to the old Chris-Craft, but I just have the urge to build an exact (or close as possible) replica.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Give-away Chris-Craft

Hey Folks - I just got the Chris-Craft home and can't wait to get to work on it. I'll post some photos of it later tonight. I'ts really in better shape than I thought it would be.<br /><br />Petrolhead - if there is anything in particular you would like pictures of, let me know. I'll do my best to scan the original paperwork and send it to you.<br /><br />Mike, the guy who gave me the boat, was extremeley nice and it was a pleasure to meet him. Thanks again for the offer!<br /><br />Regards,<br /><br />Josh

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Give-away Chris-Craft

Here's the pics of the boat now:<br /><br /> http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jo....done=http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/joshsfinn

 

[sundog]

Re: Give-away Chris-Craft

cool, JS. the cabin looks like an add on to me...not just from the brochure, but the joinery attatching the cabin to the deck/topsides. the fordeck looks like its been replaced from the pics too. looks doable, though...definately. cool steering wheel.