Rare Chris Craft? (lots of pics)

[chargerboy]

Hi everybody, I recently purchased a 1967 Chris Craft Futura for a fun restoration project. After buying the boat, I realized that I can't find any models that look like mine. I have hunted high and low for any info at all, the best I could get was that the boat was custom made at the factory with a hard top, not available on most models. The differences I can tell so far from other boats is hard top, double sliding side windows instead of the usual slant window, and a full railing around the boat.

Somebody told me that it's probably worth a fortune, since it's likely a one of a kind boat. Are there any Chris Craft experts out there that can help me with the history? I'd like to find out what it will be worth fully restored. Hull number wxa272007.

The boat overall appears to be in good shape, there are a couple soft spots in the hull, I think I will be replacing the whole hull with new plywood, and re-do the top decks as they are showing some signs of rot as well. The rest of the boat seems to be good and solid. If anybody has any tips or advice on the restoration as well, I'd like to hear about them, this is the first time I've attempted to do this. Please help me identify the boat though!

 

[proshadetree]

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Good looking boat. I will defiantly be watching thread. I like fiberglass hulls but love to see a wood boat rebuilt.

 

[chargerboy]

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Thank you I will be sure to post pictures of the work as I go

 

[andgott]

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Nice looking boat. The people here- Chris Craft Antique Boat Club
can probably help you with the specifics to your boat. There are a couple of futuras listed there, including this 27' 1965 hard top, similar to yours. They've got a lot of the brochures and things online there, but you have to join to see most of them.

Somebody told me that it's probably worth a fortune, since it's likely a one of a kind boat. Are there any Chris Craft experts out there that can help me with the history? I'd like to find out what it will be worth fully restored. Hull number wxa272007.

If that were the case, I'd be a very wealthy man... I've got more one of a kind and/or rare boats around than I know what to do with! The problem is, to be worth a lot of money, there has to be some demand for it as well, And there isn't a big collector following for a chris like that, especially a plywood one. The hard top was a factory option on the 27- So there might not have been too many made, but it's not really 'custom'. But, they are nice boats, and worth restoring!

-Andrew

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Gorgeous boat, well worth restoring

Good luck with the project, I would contact Chris Craft as they may have records and they are still in business.

 

[chargerboy]

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Andgott, Thanks for the info and help. That is the closest I've seen to the model I have, although there's no dual sliding windows on the side of the cockpit. Also, my hard top is framed in place with mini "rafters" as I call them, and there are two large wooden beams running down from the back on an angle down to the deck, the canvas cover latches on to the full length and it is mostly hidden in the photo. All the photos I've seen of similar boats seem to have a hard top that is a separate, removable piece.

As for the value of it, you might be right. In my searching I found one 1957 Futura for sale for $600 000 because it's a rare model. I wasn't sure if my boat would be of the same value. In the end though, you are right, it is a really nice boat, and even if it doesn't make me rich, I'll at least keep it and enjoy



Huron, thanks for the advice, I already contacted the company and they have no records of the company before 15 years ago or so. They directed me to a boat museum in Virginia where I ordered an information package that is supposed to arrive in the next couple weeks. I have no idea what will be in it, but they said they might be able to dig up the original build info and plans.

 

[chargerboy]

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Here are a few more photos I have

 

[chargerboy]

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

and some more

 

[Fisherball]

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Beautiful boat!

 

[andgott]

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Nice interior. She looks to be in pretty good shape.

As for the value of it, you might be right. In my searching I found one 1957 Futura for sale for $600 000 because it's a rare model.

It's also 10 years older, and probably a very different model. Planked construction, not ply, I'd be willing to bet. And, if it's priced that high, either likely in mint condition, or painstakingly restored! Also, It's FOR SALE for 600K... Not sold for 600K...

The ply chris crafts aren't worth nearly as much, they were more 'entry level' boats. But, they are a heck of a lot easier to work on! MUCH simpler lines, and not so much need for precision woodwork to get the planks to fit right

 

[chargerboy]

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Thanks guys, it's good to see so many people interested in my project! I always wanted a big boat, and CCs have been my favourite all my life. I think this one will be a good starter boat to restore. I've been making cabinets for 10 years now, so woodworking is no big deal.

I guess my next question would be, is it really worth it to spend the extra effort making absolute sure that everything is original? If I ever plan to sell this down the road (eventually I will want bigger again) I want to get the most value. Should I take the easiest route or the proper way of going about a restoration. If the boat is not a "rare" find that's worth a fortune, would there be any harm in modernizing it a bit with new fridge, plumbing features, upgraded stove, radio, etc?

 

[redfury]

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Thanks guys, it's good to see so many people interested in my project! I always wanted a big boat, and CCs have been my favourite all my life. I think this one will be a good starter boat to restore. I've been making cabinets for 10 years now, so woodworking is no big deal.

I guess my next question would be, is it really worth it to spend the extra effort making absolute sure that everything is original? If I ever plan to sell this down the road (eventually I will want bigger again) I want to get the most value. Should I take the easiest route or the proper way of going about a restoration. If the boat is not a "rare" find that's worth a fortune, would there be any harm in modernizing it a bit with new fridge, plumbing features, upgraded stove, radio, etc?

If the value isn't in its rareness, then it's a matter of the market you want to sell to. Look at it in the same way people look at a Model A. You can rebuild it to stock, maybe do 40mph on the highway with your wooden spoke rims, or....you can swap out the drivetrain, chop the top, put a nice flame paint job on it and hot rod the crap out of it. Different set of buyers for both vehicles, and you'll get as much money out of it as each set of buyers is ready to let go of for it.

My Glastron is not rare, though it's less seen for sale than others in its age range, but it's not stopping me from modifying the heck out of it as I see fit. I figure, if I make the boat usable for me, the next guy buying it might see it as being usable for him, instead of having to do stuff to it to make it work for him, or looking at something else that has the same features I build into my boat.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Rand Speas at Welaka Landing Wooden Boat Shop in Welaka, Fl. could help you identify your boat, he is the 2nd generation of wooden boat builders and rebuilders. They have an excellent shop and Wooden Boat Museum in Welaka, Fl., on the St Johns River. It's a little piece of heaven for folks that love older wooden boats. He has several that look like the African Queen with the wood fired engine and the whole works!

 

[chevinrude]

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Love the boat... gorgeous! Its always fun to restore something. Especially a classic like what you've got. Good luck and keep posting pictures!

 

[NetMatrix]

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

This is a really nice looking boat. I will for sure be keeping an eye on this project. I love the style of this boat, and can't wait to see her when you have her all done.

 

[chargerboy]

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Rand Speas at Welaka Landing Wooden Boat Shop in Welaka, Fl. could help you identify your boat, he is the 2nd generation of wooden boat builders and rebuilders. They have an excellent shop and Wooden Boat Museum in Welaka, Fl., on the St Johns River. It's a little piece of heaven for folks that love older wooden boats. He has several that look like the African Queen with the wood fired engine and the whole works!

Thanks alot for the tip! I will be sure to try and get ahold of him! Thanks for the encouragement guys, I think I'll need it

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

did i hear right that the boat tipped over during the earthquake yesterday?

 

[smclear]

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

They directed me to a boat museum in Virginia where I ordered an information package that is supposed to arrive in the next couple weeks.

You are referring to the Mariners Museum in Newport News. I would highly recommend anyone who loves boating history to make a visit. Awesome place. I went there for a symposium put on by the Antique and Classic Boat Society. They do have build records for 90% of all the Chris Crafts manufactured prior to 1970. They may have more recent as well, I just don't know that for certain. I hope you get lucky and yours is not one of the ones they "don't" have.

 

[legoman67]

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

i want a huge garage that can fit my boat right inside!!! lol

looks like a sweet project! have you tried the engine yet? the interior looks very clean for its age!

 

[chargerboy]

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

Re: Rare Chris Craft?

did i hear right that the boat tipped over during the earthquake yesterday?

Yes, it is.

i want a huge garage that can fit my boat right inside!!! lol

looks like a sweet project! have you tried the engine yet? the interior looks very clean for its age!

Ha, that garage is amazing, sadly it's not mine. Most of these photos were taken by the seller, at his place, on his trailer. I haven't tried the engine yet, there was no fuel in the tanks, and a fuel pump problem so I just cranked it and checked for compression. Not the greatest but it should still run. I was impressed for a 43 year old boat.