Just bought mid-engine Chris Craft Scorpion

[Just for TRICKS]

I am new to the boating world this year. My first boat was a 1990 Larson Lazer 18' bowrider with a 4.3merc. It was a great boat but I have a wife and three kids and we found the 18' a little tight. I just bought a 1988 23' Chris Craft Scorpion with a 5.7Merc mid-engine with Alpha one outdrive. Does anyone know any info on this boat good or bad?? It planes out great with a 17 pitch prop and has a 45mph speed at WOT (on GPS) On the side of the boat it says "Chris Craft by Grew". What's with that? Is it a Chris Craft or a Grew??<br />Any help would be appreciated.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Just bought mid-engine Chris Craft Scorpion

what's "mid-engine" mean?<br />My parents have good friends with a Chris Craft Scorpion, probably around the same vintage. It's a good boat, in spite of some neglect on the owner's part. The interior is a little "dated", but I like some of the 80's look of red carpet and monkey fur on the headliner of the cabin. Their boat seems to be heavy, so it doesn't run real fast, despite having a 350 in it. So your speed isn't out of whack. <br />Not sure about the "Grew" part.

 

[Just for TRICKS]

Re: Just bought mid-engine Chris Craft Scorpion

Mid-Engine means that the engine is in the middle of the boat with a drive shaft running to the outdrive. The "doghouse" is underneath the captains bench that folds down to make a huge sunpad. It seats 10 people, 6 on the bench back to back and 4 across the bench seat at the back.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Just bought mid-engine Chris Craft Scorpion

Interesting. Not at all like the Scorpion that my friends have in FL. "Mid engine with an outdrive.", eh? Trying to get the best of both worlds perhaps? Skiing and trim ability for top end. Sounds like it's performing pretty well to me.

 

[Just for TRICKS]

Re: Just bought mid-engine Chris Craft Scorpion

The boat works really well. I am very happy with it. I have never seen a boat like it before. Just wonder why they don't make them like that anymore. I think because of the Grew after the Chris Craft that it might have been made in Canada but I am not sure. I have been looking on the internet and I can't find much information on it.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Just bought mid-engine Chris Craft Scorpion

I take it that you really do not need to play with the drive up and down button? Center engined boats are usually well balanced. The boat planes down to a low speed? About15 mph? Does she lean into the turns?

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: Just bought mid-engine Chris Craft Scorpion

That vintage of Chris Craft was built by Grew, Chris Craft Canada went Bankrupt in the 80's and they were bought out by Grew and the boats were made for a short time in Penatang. That factory has since closed and is long gone...nice waterfront condos and that old site now.

 

[Just for TRICKS]

Re: Just bought mid-engine Chris Craft Scorpion

Thanks for the info. I thought the boat was made in Canada when it had the Grew logo. <br />The boat turns very well and does handle the slow speed. It has trim tabs as well, I am still "playing" with all the settings, trim up & down etc. So I take it that Chris Craft used to be made in both Canada & the US and now they are just made in the US? I wonder why you don't see the mid-engine any more?

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Just bought mid-engine Chris Craft Scorpion

i think you don't see it cause it's not necessary. With plenty of power, a sterndrive equipped boat with trim tabs will plane quickly & hold it. It also will run a good top end due to the ability to get the drive out of the water. Also, you don't have the engine in the middle of the boat taking up space.<br />People who want "mid-engine" tend to be water skiiers and they buy straight inboards. Or Large cruisers that top speed isn't as important as the low planing speeds.<br />I kinda figured Grew must be Canadian, cause I was not familiar with them at all. Chris Craft has had an interesting and strangish company history. Glad you like you boat. HAve fun with it!

 

[stevens]

Re: Just bought mid-engine Chris Craft Scorpion

Well, I think it is a shame that not more boats are made with the combination of mid-mounted engine/jackshaft/outdrive. They ride really nice! They tend to have less bowrise on take-off, they plane at lower speeds, and they are very able to handle oncoming waves.<br /><br />The boat in this ad ( link )is exactly like that, with the engine mounted under the seat in the middle. A great handling 25' boat, and I wish I had this one instead of its 21' sibling that is too stern-heavy with its aft-mounted engine...

 

[Just for TRICKS]

Re: Just bought mid-engine Chris Craft Scorpion

Thanks for the Link. That is a great looking boat with tons of room. I wish I had a picture of my boat to post. We got it at the end of the season and only were out a few times. I like how we can sit 10 people with lots of room on the boat. The only thing that worries me is that the outdrive is original and has never been rebuilt that I know of. Does anyone know how to search a boats history by the Hull #?

 

[stevens]

Re: Just bought mid-engine Chris Craft Scorpion

I don't think it is at all possible to trace a boat's history by its hull number, unless the Canadian authorities maintain some kind of registry. Many boats do not have a service record either. However, if you have the engine's and outdrive's serial numbers, you can plug these in at the www.mercurypartsexpress.com and get the exactly right parts, manuals, etc.<br /><br />These might be similar to your boat: link link

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Just bought mid-engine Chris Craft Scorpion

Have you tried the Chris Craft Club in the USA? Or the mariners Museum in Virginia? E Mails may get a strong lead .

 

[Chris_Crafter]

Re: Just bought mid-engine Chris Craft Scorpion

Sounds very nice I'd like to see photo's of it.<br /><br />Kevin

 

[Just for TRICKS]

Re: Just bought mid-engine Chris Craft Scorpion

I have a friend at Canadian Customs who is going to help me search the history. I found out that I am the 8th owner, or the fourth person because the Marina's don't count. The boat was bought in 1989 and was registered in Windsor. I am trying to see how many other boats like it are out and about. I will try the Chris Craft Club and see what they have to say.

 

[Kopasetic]

Re: Just bought mid-engine Chris Craft Scorpion

That's a great boat, I have the 23 with the rear engine, I liked the idea of the sun pad for catching rays, but the centre engine is definitely a plus, I looked for mine for about a year, found it on my way north, for the most part it is in good condition. Mine got put away Nov 10, kind of chilly up here, (Gravenhurst) for boating. Good luck with the boat, I'm sure you will have lots of fun, there are a few CC sites around, not a lot of info on scorpions unfortunately, but OEM parts are still available.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Just bought mid-engine Chris Craft Scorpion

Sounds nice,best of luck with her!!

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: Just bought mid-engine Chris Craft Scorpion

Hey, how about your other Canadian boat company? Shamrock? Exact same setup. Fantastic rough water boat.

 

[Just for TRICKS]

Re: Just bought mid-engine Chris Craft Scorpion

I have never heard of a "shamrock"?? Where were they made?? Hey Kopasetic, send me a picture of your boat if you have one. tricker@mnsi.net I don't have any pictures of my boat yet, got it late in the season and now it is in storage. What year is your boat? I am curious to know when they stopped making the Scorpion. It must have been around 1989 or 90 because anything over 1990 looks different from my boat and lost the Scorpion name. I haven't tried the Chris Craft clubs yet.

 

[Kopasetic]

Re: Just bought mid-engine Chris Craft Scorpion

Shamrock is made in US according to website, also it is a centre-console fishing boat as oppossed to a mid engine boat. Scorpion is a cuddy cabin day use boat. Cuddy cabin being the important part, with a head and sleeping quarters you can legally carry alchohol aboard. More impotantly you can consume it as long as you are at anchor. Not that I drink a lot but it is nice to have a cold drink on a hot day.<br />Just for tricks, do you have through hull exhaust or silent?