What are your top 3 pieces of advice for a first time buyer of an antique Chris Craft

[fonnie23]

I am thinking of getting into boating by buying an old Chris Craft (1940's or 50's Utility or similar). This boat would be kept on the water Spring thru Fall. What are your top 3 pieces of advice for me as I look at boats to buy? Or am I crazy to do this in the first place? Thanks!

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: What are your top 3 pieces of advice for a first time buyer of an antique Chris C

Unless you are a boat mechanic with straight inboard experience, you would be spending more to maintain such a boat than it'd be worth.

You have not said what kind of Chris Craft--runabout? cabin cruiser?

Come to think about it, you'd have to also be a carpenter and painter, as these things are usually mahogany requiring massive upkeep.

If you cannot do all of your own work, you'd be a dead duck @ $110 per hour.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: What are your top 3 pieces of advice for a first time buyer of an antique Chris C

Welcome to iBoats . . . new to boating and wanting to buy a 60-70 year old wood boat. It is probably not the dream . . . more the nightmare.

 

[Gilded_Splinters]

Re: What are your top 3 pieces of advice for a first time buyer of an antique Chris C

1) Buy as much boat and as little work as you can afford.

2) Try to induct a knowledgeable person to check it out with you.

3) Do not impulse buy. There are lots of these things around in various states of decay and preservation. There are also lots of folks in over their heads and bailing out.


This is no different than old houses, old hot rods or whatever...the person who restores it usually loses his ***. The person who buys it often capitalizes on that fact.

Good luck!