1994 Chris Craft Crowne 322

[Chris Crafter]

Ok..so i am some what new to the boating cruiser market
I bought a 1994 Chris Craft Crowne 322 with the twin 5.8 Cobra motors and duo prop OMC outdrives.
Starboard side has 500 hours and Port side only 375.
It seems to run smooth and runs out well. i do have leaks in a couple of the windows in the cabin area..any help is greatly appreciated and one some where up in the cockpit area on the starboard side coming in through a side glove box...ugh.

Over all the boat is solid and i have put probably 6 hours on it since i bought it.

If any of you out there are familiar with this boat please chime in and make me aware of any problems i should be ready for.

I will try and post a pic tomorrow.

Thanks

Phil

 

[airdvr1227]

I'll be the first to say congratulations. Have you ever owned a boat prior to this one?

 

[Chris Crafter]

This is my third boat i owned a 1984 - 20' Imperial Bow Rider than a 1999 Regal 24' Bow Rider and now this Crown 322. I love it, but the fuel is going to hurt. Oh well knew that going in. Getting ready to cruise it from my home dock in Eastlake, OH to Kellys Island, OH this Saturday for a two nighter.
Cant wait.

 

[airdvr1227]

Eastlake to Kelley's is a long cruise. We keep ours in a slip in Marblehead. Good luck.

 

[Natesms]

I have a chris craft 33 crowne, there is almost no difference between the two. The boat has been great so far! We just spent a full week on it.

I have a few small window leaks myself in the cabin but really only have issues when washing. I'm in a covered slip so its not that big of deal and I haven't really bothered to troubleshoot it.

The side glove-box collects water that runs through the seams in the windshield and across the dash or down the windows on the starboard side. Drives me nuts. I put a big sponge in there to soak it up and it dries out quick enough that there are no mildew issues. Not a fix, but an ok workaround.

The only other items I ran into:
* Sliding door track, the little trucks were shot when I bought it and you could barely open the door. You can buy cut to length track and the trucks online, pretty easy fix.

* Carbon monoxide detectors do go off from the "station wagon" effect. First make sure you have detectors and they work! I have the wall mounted one and 2 portables, one at each bed. 2nd, prop up the 2 center hatches when running (I just open them, close the locks and set it down on them and tighten it up) and that usually solves it. Don't just open the cabin door without the hatches as it can make the problem worse, you have to have the airflow coming from fresh air up front. (leaving the cabinet door closed works too) There is something weird about the CO getting into the cabin. Some days it's just fine others it seems to want to set off the detectors. Most of the time it's a non-issue but I wanted to mention it as I have had the detectors go off.

* With the twin prop drives she handles more like a ski boat than a cruiser. It's great most of the time, but you have to turn the wheel to dock, just using the motors doesn't give you enough turn. Its a good trade-off (IMO) though because I can get onto plane with 11 people, full of fuel and water without much problem.

* I have twin 454's in mine. She loves to run at 2800 - 3000 RPM (~26 - 30mph). With full tabs I can get down to 2600 RPM and stay on plane. She loves fuel. Just get used to it

Enjoy it, hope you have as much fun as I have.

 

[redneck joe]

when looking for leaks, you will be amazed at how small an opening can be to let all that water in.

 

[Chris Crafter]

I have a chris craft 33 crowne, there is almost no difference between the two. The boat has been great so far! We just spent a full week on it.

I have a few small window leaks myself in the cabin but really only have issues when washing. I'm in a covered slip so its not that big of deal and I haven't really bothered to troubleshoot it.

The side glove-box collects water that runs through the seams in the windshield and across the dash or down the windows on the starboard side. Drives me nuts. I put a big sponge in there to soak it up and it dries out quick enough that there are no mildew issues. Not a fix, but an ok workaround.

The only other items I ran into:
* Sliding door track, the little trucks were shot when I bought it and you could barely open the door. You can buy cut to length track and the trucks online, pretty easy fix.

* Carbon monoxide detectors do go off from the "station wagon" effect. First make sure you have detectors and they work! I have the wall mounted one and 2 portables, one at each bed. 2nd, prop up the 2 center hatches when running (I just open them, close the locks and set it down on them and tighten it up) and that usually solves it. Don't just open the cabin door without the hatches as it can make the problem worse, you have to have the airflow coming from fresh air up front. (leaving the cabinet door closed works too) There is something weird about the CO getting into the cabin. Some days it's just fine others it seems to want to set off the detectors. Most of the time it's a non-issue but I wanted to mention it as I have had the detectors go off.

* With the twin prop drives she handles more like a ski boat than a cruiser. It's great most of the time, but you have to turn the wheel to dock, just using the motors doesn't give you enough turn. Its a good trade-off (IMO) though because I can get onto plane with 11 people, full of fuel and water without much problem.

* I have twin 454's in mine. She loves to run at 2800 - 3000 RPM (~26 - 30mph). With full tabs I can get down to 2600 RPM and stay on plane. She loves fuel. Just get used to it

Enjoy it, hope you have as much fun as I have.

Thanks for the report...i did make the cruise from Eastake OH to Kellys island. Two things. first the starboard motor stopped on me about 10 miles from kellys, so 55 milos into the trip, but started and cleared out, but did it again two or three times until i got it into the Marina at Kellys? Did it again on way home as well, but each time restarted and cleared it out and continued???? any idea as to what may be the problem...keep in mind 5.8 cobras fuel injected.

Secondly, i did smell fuel down in the cabin for at least 24 hours after arriving to kellys. it seemed like it was being blown through the AC vent. The smell seemed to disapate over time. Any help is greatly appreciated on both fronts.

 

[airdvr1227]

Sounds like a fuel issue. Filters? Vent plugged? If she's new to you and it was a rough ride you might have stirred up some gunk on the bottom of your tank.

 

[Natesms]

I've noticed some fuel smell before myself. We ran into that last week. Any chance she was full of fuel? I seem to only notice it when its full. I need to check the vent hoses. The tanks are right by the ac actually. The panels on the sides above the back bed come off. Pull them and take a look. You will see the cabling and everything running to the engine compartment along with the fuel tank.

 

[Natesms]

On the motors shutting down, start simple. Change all the fuel filters. Check all fluids and make sure you aren't low and tripping some sensor. Then look at the fuel pump. Mine is carbed volvos so I'm not to much help. I fixed 2 efi crusaders this year though. One fuel pump one oil pressure sensor. Both caused it to shut down. Remember with 2 motors you can swap parts to test them. If the problem moves sides you found it. Let me know if you find something on the fuel smell

 

[Chris Crafter]

I had topped off the tanks before leaving my marina i had used almost half tanks to get to Kellys, so there was only half when i smelled fuel.
I will check the vent hose first.

Secondly, in regards to the motor shuting down. i just had new fuel filters imstalled three weekes ago and replaced both thermostats. A buddy said there is somekind of petcock donw near the gas tank that has a ball in the hose that may be clogged. I think i will start there, but heard it may be in a spot under the boat that i may not ba able to access without openingg up the floor a bit. Any suggestions?

 

[Natesms]

Does the motor shut down fast or slowly sputter and die out?

If it just shuts down, I'd look for something electrical. Sensors, fuel pumps, etc.

 

[Chris Crafter]

Does the motor shut down fast or slowly sputter and die out?

If it just shuts down, I'd look for something electrical. Sensors, fuel pumps, etc.

it seems to sputter and die out...i immediately start it right back up and it seems to clear out and run good for a few more minutes then repeat itself...

 

[Natesms]

No Title

I wish I had better answers for you. You might try posting the symptoms in the engine forums. I personally wouldn't tear into the floors until it was the absolute last resort. I'm not really sure you need to though on the fuel lines. I only briefly glanced at the tanks while I was running wires for new lighting so I'm not sure how accessible or inaccessible everything is but I know there are multiple lines coming out of the top of it. I won't be near the boat again for a few weeks to check either.

These panels pull off and they are right behind it on each side. It won't feel like it should, but it does....