1997 Chris Craft 20ft Center Console

[navin]

I am looking at this 1997 Chris Craft 20ft Center Console with a Yamaha V4 130HP outboard. I find very little information about this boat. I would like input about this boat if someone is familiar. The boat is exceptionally clean and looks almost new. The private owner is asking $8900 for the boat motor and nice aluminum trailer.

 

[Part-time]

Re: 1997 Chris Craft 20ft Center Console

Welcome aboard...
The yamaha is a good reliable motor, but it's older and much thirstier than the 4 strokes or even the newer 2 strokes.
The boat I don't know much about, but I find that pricey.
It depends a lot on your location and the economy in your area.

 

[navin]

Re: 1997 Chris Craft 20ft Center Console

I am looking at this 1997 Chris Craft 20ft Center Console with a Yamaha V4 130HP outboard. I find very little information about this boat. I would like input about this boat if someone is familiar. The boat is exceptionally clean and looks almost new. The private owner is asking $8900 for the boat motor and nice aluminum trailer.

The engine is a Johnson and not a Yamaha. I have looked at too many boats I get them confused. The boat is in the Fla Keys around Marathon

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: 1997 Chris Craft 20ft Center Console

V4 Johnnyrudes were also thirsty. My concern would be potential salt water corrosion. Check the boat And the motor lower end thoroughly. Was it left in the water or put on the trailer and flushed after use?

 

[navin]

Re: 1997 Chris Craft 20ft Center Console

V4 Johnnyrudes were also thirsty. My concern would be potential salt water corrosion. Check the boat And the motor lower end thoroughly. Was it left in the water or put on the trailer and flushed after use?

The owner keeps this boat on the trailer after use and flushes the engine after each use with fresh water. He also has the boat serviced every year and shrink wraps the boat for storage when he returns to Michigan after the winter in Fla. We removed the engine cover and you could eat off the engine it is so clean and free of oil and gas residue like I see on so many others I have looked at. He has a full boat cover but uses the shrink wrap for storage. The boat looks brand new and I know the Chris Craft name has always been considered a quality product.

 

[JoLin]

Re: 1997 Chris Craft 20ft Center Console

V4 Johnnyrudes were also thirsty.

Even in 1997? My 1996 175 hp V-6, carbed 'looper' was pretty efficient, IMO. Drove a 21' WAC using no more than 10 gph at cruise (4000 rpm/25 mph).

The boat needs to be be checked out carefully, but Chris-Crafts of that vintage (OMC owned the brand then) were nicely built. My 1999 24' express was high quality throughout. HOWEVER, any boat can be turned into crap in 15 years. If you don't know what to look for, have it surveyed. It's worth the few hundred bucks.

My .02

 

[navin]

Re: 1997 Chris Craft 20ft Center Console

Thanks for your input John.. I think my main concern is the actual value of this boat, motor and trailer. He is asking $8900 but I think he will take less. I run the boat NADA and low retail was $7425 and Avg retail $8485. The appearance of the setup would fit into the Avg Retail category. Any input or maybe I will get a survey like you suggested.

 

[Don S]

Re: 1997 Chris Craft 20ft Center Console

No one here can tell you the value of that boat or anything else without inspecting it first hand. They might say they had one and it ran fine, or they seen one and nice boat, but they can not tell you what a survey will, and that is the condition of the boat. And the condition is what determines the value, that and what a buyer is willing to pay for it, and what the seller is willing to let it go for.

If everyone on this forum said 5000 max and the seller says no, 8900 or nothing, then it just doesn't matter one bit what people here say.

 

[dingbat]

Re: 1997 Chris Craft 20ft Center Console

Even in 1997? My 1996 175 hp V-6, carbed 'looper' was pretty efficient, IMO. Drove a 21' WAC using no more than 10 gph at cruise (4000 rpm/25 mph).

Efficient is relative. A 200HP 4 stroke would burn under 7 GPH (4000 rpm / 28.4 mph)

 

[JoLin]

Re: 1997 Chris Craft 20ft Center Console

Efficient is relative. A 200HP 4 stroke would burn under 7 GPH (4000 rpm / 28.4 mph)

Sure, any 2-stroke before E-Tec is thirstier than a 4-stroke. When Jeepman singled out the Johnnyrudes, I thought he was probably thinking of the older models which WERE thirsty compared to many other 2-strokes of the same vintage. Just noting that the later OMC loop-charged models are much better in that respect.

My .02

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 1997 Chris Craft 20ft Center Console

NADA is worthless for boats over 5-8 years old.

Condition is #1; reliable brands #2; age is #3.

Sounds like yours was cared for far better than most Florida center consoles (think garage-kept pick-up truck). The question is whether that is worth the extra money for a similar center console in normal wear and tear condition. For one thing, if that better care translates into more dependable, it's worth paying for. If it's just shiney gel coat, it's not.

Look into whether the 130 is a little light (power-wise) for that boat, and how you plan to use it.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: 1997 Chris Craft 20ft Center Console

I am looking at this 1997 Chris Craft 20ft Center Console with a Yamaha V4 130HP outboard. I find very little information about this boat. I would like input about this boat if someone is familiar. The boat is exceptionally clean and looks almost new. The private owner is asking $8900 for the boat motor and nice aluminum trailer.

I'm guessing this is the boat? http://search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A0oG...ttp://keys.craigslist.org/boa/3476485967.html

I think the price is fair, it looks well kept. Says nothing about the electronics, is the fish finder included, looks to be a lowrance. And yes, its a great boat, its a CHRIS CRAFT,lol Plus this is a self bailing boat, EASY MAINTENANCE. If your really interested offer him $7500.00 and I think you will both be happy. But I would be willing to pay $8500.00 all day. Its a very well kept boat imo just by looking at it. I would ask to sea trial it for sure before signing the check. Good luck

 

[navin]

Re: 1997 Chris Craft 20ft Center Console

Commander that is the boat. The fishfinder is included. My thoughts were just as yours offering $7500 and might go to $8000. The boat is immaculate and would pass for a brand new one. Thanks for your input as this is the confirmation I was looking for.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: 1997 Chris Craft 20ft Center Console

Commander that is the boat. The fishfinder is included. My thoughts were just as yours offering $7500 and might go to $8000. The boat is immaculate and would pass for a brand new one. Thanks for your input as this is the confirmation I was looking for.

I really like the fold down seats int he stern and it has a splash well which is a good thing. I don't really like the split railing because it can be a little unsturdy compared to a bow rail that goes all the way forward, but it looks like it was original so probably pretty stout. Would make it easier for when your beaching or retrieving anchor though.

If the electronics are included, it looks like an hds-7 which was about $1100.00 new, so thats a good thing and a good unit. Might pull that access hatch behind the splash well in the stern and make sure the bilge pump in there is working first thing.

I think you will like the way this hull rides as well. plus it already has trim tabs. Thats another $1000.00 Good luck man. I think you found yourself a very nice, clean boat at a fair price.

 

[navin]

Re: 1997 Chris Craft 20ft Center Console

Thanks again for your comments Commander. I feel good about this one. We will be taking a "sea-test" on Thursday and I am taking my boat friend with us to evaluate this boat and equipment.