Chris craft serial number decoding first letter identifies division. Eleanor swift owns a pizzeria, a slice of life, in a small town in north carolina. For generations, chris craft vessels have captivated boat lovers from around the world with their exceptional style and performance and today, that is no different. Includes a chapter dedicated to the history of the company during the 1980s which has information and pictures of stingers. Trs drives were also replaced with new trs drives with nose cones. However, christopher columbus smith, the founder of chris craft, got his start with powered boats by building customized race boats for customers which went on to win various racing awards. If water, mildew, and the sun have taken their toll on your old life vests, it may be time to replace them. How chris craft started and its production of beautiful wooden boats. This is a rare boat with a solid hull and twin 502 ci crate motors. Chris craft archives chesapeake bay maritime museum. Both engines were dynod at approx 435 hp and 520 ftlb torque giving this beautiful sleek boat a total of 870hp and 1040 ftlb of torque.
This book outlines the general history of chris craft during the transitional years when the smith family sold chris craft to nafi national automotive fibers, inc. Full twoyear restoration at norton boat works in green lake, wisconsin completed spring of 2014. Rodengen this book contains a detailed history of chris craft from its beginnings to 1989. Utilizing the heat gun and a tungsten bladed scrapper technique saves time and money. How chriscraft started and its production of beautiful wooden boats. Trim tabs these automatic trim tabs are great, but you dont need to take our word for it.
Antique and classic wooden boats for sale including chris craft boats, vintage mahogany hacker craft, garwood, riva, triple cockpits and runabouts what a beauty. New hi performance 454 motors gill exhaust with stainless pipes. Repowered 10 years ago with twin gen vi 502 ci 435hp v8s. The current successor is chriscraft corporation, which produces motorboats under the chriscraft name. Much has been written about the early history of chriscraft. Find 1969 chris craft boats for sale on oodle classifieds. Browse various chriscraft stinger boats for sale, offers thousands of boats for sale listed by trusted brokers from around the world now relaunched and better than ever, s of currently available boats for sale, for sale across the globe. This 1937 21 chris craft utility deluxe nibs ii is very rare. Secondhand chris craft 415 stinger with 2x420 cv mercruiser engine, 12.
Both are arranged in similar format and are intended to compliment one another as useful reference books for any library, living room, salon, or aft deck. The hull was painted with emmron painting system the cabin interior was done. The may, 1984 issue helped fill in the racing history of the stingers. Fresh water cooled incredible rough water boat triaxle trailer with new led lights,brakes,and bearings. During world war ii, chriscraft built patrol boats, utility launches and rescue vessels for the u. Boat making by merritt, chris craft, and active thunder ibi.
Jul 10, 2009 chris craft is without doubt the most prestigious name in the history of american boatbuilders. Browse various chris craft stinger boats for sale, offers thousands of boats for sale listed by trusted brokers from around the world now relaunched and better than ever, s of currently available boats for sale, for sale across the globe. Chris craft rub rails get a brand new, great looking rub rail for your chris craft boat life vests life vests are important for boating safety. The company was sold by the smith family in 1960 to nafi corporation, which changed its name to chriscraft industries in 1962. The history of chris craft boats classic boat sales and.
Chris craft is without doubt the most prestigious name in the history of american boatbuilders. The original company, chris craft boats, was founded in the late 19th. Includes a chapter dedicated to the history of the company during the 1980s which. For sale is a 1984 chris craft 312 stinger with an aluminum i beam three axle trailer. If you are looking for a fun, fast and historic race boat, this is it.
See more ideas about chris craft boats, chris craft and boat. This vessel has two 454 ci big blocks that sound great and make a statement. While this sports runabout does have a hull made of fiberglass, it is beneficial to keep the boat clean and dry by covering it properly while not in use. Chriscraft 415 stinger in florida power boats used 14956. Since franklin roy and ennis merritt purchased a 10 acre tract of land on the intracoastal waterway and started the merritts boat and engine works in works, building boats and boat components have been a part of the economic and social life of pompano beach.
Much has been written about the early history of chris craft. It wasnt long before chris and his brother hank began building a succession of wooden boats. However, christopher columbus smith, the founder of chriscraft, got his start with powered boats by building customized race boats for customers which went on to win various racing awards. The chris craft company is primarily known for its wooden boats built during the 1920s until the 1970s. History of chris craft scorpion and stinger boat design net. The current successor is chris craft corporation, which produces motorboats under the chris craft name. In 1962, the company adopted the name of one of its acquisitions, chriscraft boats, which was founded in the late 19th century and became famous for mahoganyhulled powerboats in the 1920s through the 1950s. The original company, chriscraft boats, was founded in the late 19th century by christopher columbus smith 18611939 in michigan. Oct 09, 2009 does anyone know the history of chirs craft scorpions and stingers. Chris craft corporation is an american manufacturer of recreational powerboats that is based in sarasota, florida. Craft writes to instruct and inspire others at the intersection of business and faith.
The 1938 chriscraft sportsman boat 1938 chriscraft sportsman, an alltime classic. Chriscraft is without doubt the most prestigious name in the history of american boatbuilders. Recreational boating revived after the war, and by 1950 chriscraft offered 9 models of boats. The company was sold by the smith family in 1960 to nafi corporation, which changed its name to chris craft industries in 1962. This features upgraded graphics and interior treatments as well as the iconic radar arch. It took only two days to remove all of the old coatings and varnish on the wooden hull of the 1958, 19foot chriscraft capri. How it eventually became the leading builder of recreational boats, selling more powerboats than its next 70 competitors combined at one point. For further reading on the history of chris craft stingers. By the beginning of the 20th century, chris smiths reputation had begun to spread. Levoy drive, suite 100 taylorsville, ut 84123 18009807206 0018015710071 outside the u. Chris smith built his first boat in 1874 at the age of in algonac, michigan. Chriscraft corporation is at least the fourth iteration of the boat building company. The focus of this book is the story of how chriscraft, once the most dominant recreational boat manufacturer in the world, lost its lead and eventually ceased to exist, except in name only. Chriscraft boats was an american manufacturer of boats that was founded by christopher columbus smith 18611939.
Chriscraft 312 stinger sl boat in dallas, tx 094568. Here is your chance to own one of the most legendary boats in the history of offshore. Their ultimate demise was based in part on the failure of the amerosport line of express. Secondhand chriscraft 415 stinger with 2x420 cv mercruiser engine, 12. The decline of chriscraft started in the 1950s and proceeded through the end of the century. Christopher columbus smith, the founder of chris craft, built his first boat in 1874, when he was only, and by the 1930s his company was the largest builder of mahogany power boats in the world. Chris craft is a producer and writer, known for batmania born 2014, hotel etiquette 2007 and arrow.
Technical data sheet of the secondhand power boats for sale. It was succeeded by chriscraft industries and then murray chriscraft. Friday and saturday on the history of chriscraft, and he will sign his three books at the mahogany bay booth and exhibit, history of. History of riva boats classic boat sales and service. Restoration tips how do i apply beading to the seams on a wooden deck. Secondhand chriscraft 415 stinger in florida united states. This page is for the loyal readers of christian writer chris craft. Rodengen this book contains a detailed history of chriscraft from its beginnings to 1989. It is an easy project it was restored in 1999 with complete yamaha motors, controls and gauges. Unfollow chris craft stinger to stop getting updates on your ebay feed.
Chris craft 415 stinger, trondheimsfjorden youtube. It really wasnt until the later 80s when they started to cut corners in construction. Chris craft has been americas boatbuilder since yearold christopher columbus smith crafted his first skiff. Dedicated to the chris craft stinger 390x, but welcome to all stingers. In 1962, the company adopted the name of one of its acquisitions, chris craft boats, which was founded in the late 19th century and became famous for mahogany hulled. Here are two limitededition specialty books for the classic fiberglass chris craft enthusiast.
Generally speaking, the 70s chris craft tournaments were well built and solid. Chris craft 415 stinger, blue attraction inn trondheimsfjorden. One of only 144 ordered with streamlined ventilating cabin. Chris craft 314 stinger national powerboat association. Norton boat works of green lake llc 1937 21 chris craft. For further reading on the history of chriscraft stingers. Join millions of people using oodle to find unique used boats for sale, fishing boat listings, jetski classifieds, motor boats, power boats, and sailboats. Searching ebay i found this auction interesting which states former class winner on the offshore circuit ocean commotion, this is a real scorpion not a chris craft, built by scorpion boat builders, built tough, boat should run in the low 80s there were some stingers around when i was younger.
Cindy bell has 114 books on goodreads with 67236 ratings. Searching ebay i found this auction interesting which states former class winner on the offshore circuit ocean commotion, this is a real scorpion not a chris craft, built by scorpion boat builders, built tough, boat should run in the low 80s there were some stingers around when i was younger that were nice looking fast boats. It took only two days to remove all of the old coatings and varnish on the wooden hull of the 1958, 19foot chris craft capri. Our entire company is dedicated to preserving the beauty and. C chris craft d canadian chris craft cc type f fiberglass cc division g fiberglass skiff division h houseboat j sailboat k fiberglass cavalier division o corsair fiberglass r roamer s sea skiff t thompson. The chriscraft company is primarily known for its wooden boats built during the 1920s until the 1970s. Whether youre seeking a day boat or a large overnight cruiser, your chriscraft will create endless, unforgettable adventures.
With rivas uncompromising quality and superior materials, this renowned name became the only choice of kings and queens, emperors, princess and sultans, actors and sportsmen, matinee idols, the international jet set and business tycoons worldwide. Offered free with twoday festival admission, the seminars take. C chriscraft d canadian chriscraft cc type f fiberglass cc division g fiberglass skiff division h houseboat j sailboat k fiberglass cavalier division o corsair fiberglass r roamer. It was a simple lake boat for duck hunting, but demonstrated an extraordinary natural talent for working with wood. Number 94 of 333 total built in three years of production. Chriscraft would soon become the worlds largest builder of mahogany powerboats. There where only a few stinger 415 made from chris craft so own a legend. It became famous for its mahoganyhulled powerboats from the 1920s through the 1950s. Christopher columbus smith, the founder of chriscraft, built his first boat in 1874, when he was only, and by the 1930s his company was the largest builder of mahogany power boats in the world. Chriscraft 415 stinger in florida power boats used. Since june 4, 2018, the company has been owned by winnebago industries, an american manufacturer of recreational vehicles chris craft corporation is at least the fourth iteration of the boat building company. Does anyone know the history of chirs craft scorpions and stingers. Used chris craft stinger 260sl limited for sale by boatpro.