Help with Chrysler boat ID

[rickryder]

Hi first post here. I have been reading so much useful info that everyone posts,what a wealth of info and I thank you all! A friend and myself just bought a boat motor and trailer on Craig's list. For $250 I think we got a fair deal. I know the title says 1976 Chrysler but we don't know what model. I know someone will be able to identify the boat. It has a 55hp Chrysler ob 557 HF. some sites say 1973 others say 1976?? Can someone help me with this? I know there will be some transom and deck repair because of some soft spots found already but that is to be expected with an old boat.I started working on the motor and it did come to life with some tinkering so thats a big plus! Thanks for reading my post and thanks for any info you can provide.

 

[rickryder]

Re: Help with Chrysler boat ID

a few more pics

 

[chargerboy]

Re: Help with Chrysler boat ID

250 dollars, you guys got yourself a great deal for a running boat! Looks like it's in pretty good shape, I can't tell you what it is, but I sure like it Have fun with the resto, show us what you do!

 

[jonesg]

Re: Help with Chrysler boat ID

Hi first post here. I have been reading so much useful info that everyone posts,what a wealth of info and I thank you all! A friend and myself just bought a boat motor and trailer on Craig's list. For $250 I think we got a fair deal. I know the title says 1976 Chrysler but we don't know what model. I know someone will be able to identify the boat. It has a 55hp Chrysler ob 557 HF. some sites say 1973 others say 1976?? Can someone help me with this? I know there will be some transom and deck repair because of some soft spots found already but that is to be expected with an old boat.I started working on the motor and it did come to life with some tinkering so thats a big plus! Thanks for reading my post and thanks for any info you can provide.

Its a commander, I have the bigger commando version.
Heres whatcha got, stringers and transom will be shot but you can get some gentle use out of it until you decide its time to do it over.
Mine is a 1974 , the transom and stringers were long gone, soft spots in the deck are the sign, it starts beneath deck and shows up in the deck eventually. Its to be expected, they never designed them to last this long.
Its not a difficult fix either, a few weeks in the offseason. I did mine with seacast pourable composite transom replacement so it won't rot again.

Good boats, heavy glasswork like most older hulls. Worth fixing.
Chrysler engines are good too, I wouldn't go out and buy one but if I owned one I'd run it til the thing died, they last but parts are starting to get scarce.

Mine is 20 feet. Paid $700 minus engine.

 

[rickryder]

Re: Help with Chrysler boat ID

Thanks for the reply! I have been doing more research and came upon an old brochure for 76 Chrysler boats It looks like a Valiant the Commando is more a center console and open bow....mine is closed.. here is the like picture is on page 15 under factory brochures http://www.hurrikain.com/thechryslercrew/

 

[huskerdaninva]

Re: Help with Chrysler boat ID

That is a Valiant, I'd guess about a '74. It doesn't have the integral chrome flying V bow light that the earlier Chrysler's had. If the motor is running you did good for a couple and a half bills. Good luck...

 

[fisherguy123]

Re: Help with Chrysler boat ID

I just bought the same style boat. It is a Chrysler Valiant. I put some pics on the gallery site of mine. You got a great deal there for such a classic boat. I hope you post some pics of your restoration project.side