Alright, folks, let’s talk about something that’s been on my mind lately, that good old Chris Craft Constellation. Now, I’ve always been a sucker for classic boats, and this one’s a real beauty.
So, I started digging around, you know, just to see what’s what. Turns out, these boats are pretty darn special. Chris Craft, they’re like the kings of boat building, putting in tons of time and effort. Each one’s made to order, mixing old-school handiwork with some modern tricks.
Then I dove into the history. This company’s been around the block, changing hands a few times. They were snatched up by Outboard Marine Corporation in ’89, hit a rough patch, then Genmar Holdings stepped in. Eventually, Stellican Ltd. took the reins, bringing the whole Chris Craft family back together.
Back in ’57, the original owners, the Smiths, they moved the whole show down to Florida. That’s where Chris Craft’s still at, churning out these beauties. They switched from Philippine mahogany to teak, but hey, still classy, right? And they built up their Sarasota plant, making it even bigger and better.
- I stumbled upon some fun facts, too.
- Guess who owned these boats?
- Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Katherine Hepburn – we’re talking Hollywood royalty here!
Now, I got curious about the nitty-gritty. How are these things built? Turns out, they use this batten-seam construction on the sides. Sounds fancy, huh? I was browsing some forums, and some folks are saying, “Forget the wood, go for a solid fiberglass Hatteras.” But hey, to each their own, right?
I even found this guy who’s got his hands on a 39-foot wooden Constellation. Says the engines are good, the whole thing’s in decent shape. Lucky him. There is even a video showcasing the inside of a vintage 1966 Constellation. It made me think about getting one.
So, I kept on searching about buying one, and there is a bunch of stuff online about buying a classic Chris Craft. Seems like a real adventure, this whole classic boat world. And those old wooden Chris Crafts? They’ve got a story, managing one from back in the day.
Yeah, the Chris Craft Constellation, It is a real piece of history, and I’m kinda hooked. Maybe one day, I’ll take the plunge and get one myself. Until then, I’ll just keep dreaming and digging.
