Chris Craft - Which should i purchase

[Dpf121]

First time buyer and i am trying to decide between two chris crafts the one is a

1997 Chris Craft Concept 270 twin Volvo Sx out drive 30ft

and the other is a 1992 Cris Craft 232 26ft Crowne single Does anyone know which is the better boat?

Can anyone help me guide through this decision ? Much appreciated thx you

 

[Dpf121]

Can anyone tell me which is better the Chris Craft Concept 270 or Chris Craft Crowne series both 1997 Thc

 

[jbcurt00]

They are 25yr old boats, its current condition is more important then which was 'better' in 1997.

For New Members Needing help buying a boat. A Buyer's Checklist.

All of the Iboaters know that we frequently have new members checking in and asking about wether or not to purchase this that or the other boat. After speaking to a Mod (Thanks BobVT) I have decided to use a previous post to create a check list of things to check when purchasing a new boat...

forums.iboats.com

 

[Dpf121]

They are 25yr old boats, its current condition is more important then which was 'better' in 1997.

For New Members Needing help buying a boat. A Buyer's Checklist.

All of the Iboaters know that we frequently have new members checking in and asking about wether or not to purchase this that or the other boat. After speaking to a Mod (Thanks BobVT) I have decided to use a previous post to create a check list of things to check when purchasing a new boat...

forums.iboats.com

they are both in perfect condition and a first boat for som

 

[jbcurt00]

and a first boat for som

Seems an incomplete statement.

Read the link I posted.

Some prefer twins, some prefer single engines, as long as sufficient for boats size. 2 motors means twice as much maintenance.
singles dont allow you to limp back to port on 1 of the 2 twins

What drivelines & motors?

 

[Scott Danforth]

they are both in perfect condition and a first boat for som

being 25 to 28 years old, both these boats are going to be far from perfect, unless they were in a vacuum sealed temperature controlled capsule

your post #1 and post #2 conflict. in post #1 you call one a 1997 and the other a 1992. in post #2, you state that both are 1997. 5 years is a big swing

Chris Craft was still using wood in the 90's
vinyl and other soft surfaces only last about 10 years
plastic bits on the engines only last about 10-15 years

what is the maintenance history?
were both garage kept or moored?


I always recommend a first time buyer buy an aluminum fishing boat with an outboard to get to understand boats and boating

 

[Grub54891]

Have them both surveyed. Saying that I'd also take it to a competent shop and have a good mechanic inspect it also. I've seen enough boats that were purchased after a survey and I tell Ya, there is plenty that a surveyor don't see or know. Have one at the shop right now, both drive gimbles are shot and bellows, water heater, shift cables and more. It was surveyed on the east coast, purchased and brought here. The owners were there when we unloaded and I found all this stuff before it was hardly off the truck. They approved the repairs and have not even had the boat in the water yet.

 

[Pulse186]

Get them surveyed by a competent surveyor who can provide references, there is a quite a difference in cost of ownership between those 2 boats.

Vinyl will last 30 years or more if taken care of and the boat is stored inside and only a few years if the boat is left outside with no cover.

The original interior of my 92 checkmate still looks brand new but the boat is a survivor and was well taken care of.

The boats you are looking could be great or they could be rotted out junk and you can't tell by looking at them.

 

[Lou C]

Neither too old and many VP engine parts from that era are NLA. Do yourself a favor and get a much newer boat. An old boat with twin I/Os to me is a nightmare.

 

[tpenfield]

Welcome to iBoats . . .

Neither one is better than the other. It just depends on which one you like better and which one is in better condition currently.

 

[shrew]

These are really two different boats. The concept, while longer, is a glorified day boat with a cuddy. The Crown, while smaller is more of an express cruiser.
What is your goal? Day boating or overnight cruising??

 

[Dpf121]

being 25 to 28 years old, both these boats are going to be far from perfect, unless they were in a vacuum sealed temperature controlled capsule

your post #1 and post #2 conflict. in post #1 you call one a 1997 and the other a 1992. in post #2, you state that both are 1997. 5 years is a big swing

Chris Craft was still using wood in the 90's
vinyl and other soft surfaces only last about 10 years
plastic bits on the engines only last about 10-15 years

what is the maintenance history?
were both garage kept or moored?
Both boats are 1997 one is a crowne and the other is a concept both are in great condition per my mechanic i renter to check them over - both kept at marina inside temp controlled i will have to find out about the engine and technical questions - i wanted to know which is a better series basically one vs the other concept or crowne - is one better than the other and if so why? i was also looking at a chris craft 232 92” well maintained and kept in shrink wrap was acid washed (not sure what that is) but kept it well taken case of flawless all boats no cosmetic issues mechanic approved - i just didn’t know what rhe difference was between a concept vs crowne models?

I always recommend a first time buyer buy an aluminum fishing boat with an outboard to get to understand boats and boating

 

[Dpf121]

These are really two different boats. The concept, while longer, is a glorified day boat with a cuddy. The Crown, while smaller is more of an express cruiser.
What is your goal? Day boating or overnight cruising??

i think a lil of both he would do - bith good shape per mechanic and look good older but nice condition -

i think mostly bay type activity but i could see him going out further

 

[Dpf121]

They are 25yr old boats, its current condition is more important then which was 'better' in 1997.

For New Members Needing help buying a boat. A Buyer's Checklist.

All of the Iboaters know that we frequently have new members checking in and asking about wether or not to purchase this that or the other boat. After speaking to a Mod (Thanks BobVT) I have decided to use a previous post to create a check list of things to check when purchasing a new boat...

forums.iboats.com

thank you very helpful much appreciated

 

[Dpf121]

Welcome to iBoats . . .

Neither one is better than the other. It just depends on which one you like better and which one is in better condition currently.

thank you

 

[Dpf121]

Have them both surveyed. Saying that I'd also take it to a competent shop and have a good mechanic inspect it also. I've seen enough boats that were purchased after a survey and I tell Ya, there is plenty that a surveyor don't see or know. Have one at the shop right now, both drive gimbles are shot and bellows, water heater, shift cables and more. It was surveyed on the east coast, purchased and brought here. The owners were there when we unloaded and I found all this stuff before it was hardly off the truck. They approved the repairs and have not even had the boat in the water yet.

thank you

 

[Lou C]

Also, besides checking the wood/composite structure out VERY carefully if both are Volvo Penta engines do they have GM marine engines or Ford marine engines? If GM parts are somewhat easier to find. Ford Marine parts can be tough to find. Look to see if you can get parts for the ignition system (modules for the Prestolite BDI system are usually NLA) and if fuel injected see if the ECMs are available. If both are not and you have a failure that’s a problem you would rather not have. If the engines have Holley carbs that makes it easier no ECM and parts for Holley very easy to find. A NLA ignition module for the old Prestolite system may be able to be replaced with a Petronix module. These are things you need to research & consider with boats that old or else you can wind up wasting a whole season due to lack of parts.

 

[QBhoy]

Neither too old and many VP engine parts from that era are NLA. Do yourself a favor and get a much newer boat. An old boat with twin I/Os to me is a nightmare.

Hi Lou. Don’t think there is usually an issue getting parts for VP that age.

 

[Lou C]

The modules for the Prestolite BID system which they used are NLA, but that can be replaced with a Petronix. However, if these boats come with a Ford marine engine (5.0 or 5.8 V8s) a lot of those parts are NLA. The engines themselves were fine, its the add ons that are no longer available.

 

[QBhoy]

The modules for the Prestolite BID system which they used are NLA, but that can be replaced with a Petronix. However, if these boats come with a Ford marine engine (5.0 or 5.8 V8s) a lot of those parts are NLA. The engines themselves were fine, its the add ons that are no longer available.

They would likely have the newer trim system with the separate resovoir id think. Agree on the Ford engines, though they weren’t used too often perhaps