“The Revenuer” 1938 24′ Chris Craft Utility Cruiser With Twin Engines!

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24 Utility cruiser1

Outstanding in her field!

We got an email from fellow Woody Boater Harry Alexander the other day. Now we get these sort of “will you help me sell” emails all the time. As I looked at the photos of the boat. I thought, OK, that’s a cool boat, and it has a cool history. Being delivered to Kentucky with twin KA engines as a Revenuers boat. Model #838, or Possibly a Moonshiner boat. I was thinking, dang this thing is cool, and how fun would it be to restore her as a revenuers boat! Call her “The Revenuer”, have a siren, guns all sorts of Gman stuff. But ohhh, Harry lives in Pennsylvania and well, road trips moving land locked boats that have been on a trailer for 25 years..well… Anyway.. Then as a PS on his hand written note. It says..

24 Utility Letter

PS the boat is located in Kimarnock VA.. WTF! That’s 5 minutes from me. NOOOOOOOOOO!

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Sitting for 25 years under cover!

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How she might looked all dolled up!

24 Utility Cruiser 1938

All slicked up back in the day – Photo mariners Museum In Newport News out of Jerry Conrad’s Essential Guide.

24 Utility Cruiser.

Trash can for Grain parties? No? maybe just trash?

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Twin K’s – According to Harry, this thing is fast and can be water skied behind. His father restored her in 1957

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All the goodies are there. Mahogany decks – The Hardware, engines, all of it.

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I think I need a drink!

I did go look, and it looks as good as the photos say it looks. Old and grey! Now this is no simple restoration, and you will need to rob the treasury to pay for the work. But it’s fast, got a cool history and a perfect sized boat. It looks to me that the hull is like a 24 Sportsman with a cabin on it. So we ask! Does anyone know anything about these boats? It would be fun to save. BUT?

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Sitting on Rollers? OUCH

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Photo taken yesterday – I never took off the cover. Just climbed around inside. But you get the idea.

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Some of her side wood!

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According to Jerry Conrad’s Bible, 94 Were made. The one we have was special ordered with Mahogany decking.

revenewer Hull Card

And yes! We have the Hull Card! Factory ordered Cutwater, Brite work on the deck. Maybe to fancy for a Revenuer Boat? Maybe it was just a cool old boat, But who doesn’t want to be a Revenuer Man?

26 replies
    • chris bulla
      chris bulla says:

      Neat boat !!!! I would love to restore that one !!! I got two large cruisers to maintane !!! A 38 1969 roamer and 1960 45 wood constellation so much for that !! I hope she goes to a good home soon though !!!!!!!!

  1. Paul H.
    Paul H. says:

    Yes very interesting and as Jim says, unlikely to be ordered that way by the government. However it is very unique and it is a huge project. Ask Seth what he thinks a full restoration would cost. Then decide.

  2. WoodyGal
    WoodyGal says:

    This is a very cool boat! Looks like something Jim Frechette needs? “Moonshine” would be a good name too!

  3. Dick Dow
    Dick Dow says:

    I’ve always had an eye out for one of those – the precursor to the “Red & White” and really rare. I hope someone gets and saves it. Ynot? Jim? 😉

  4. Eric
    Eric says:

    Where in Kilmarnock? I’m here, should we move it down the road and store it on my lot? Give me a call or shoot me an email. Eric

  5. Brian Robinsob
    Brian Robinsob says:

    Matt, according to the hull card your photoshop should have a white bottom, single debonnet (red wine color) boot top and covering boards, and a white windshield.

  6. John Rothert
    John Rothert says:

    don’t let that baby out of Virginia….Eric? Matt? ANYBODY but me….I am going boating.

    John in Va.

  7. John Rothert
    John Rothert says:

    further: Eric: you need to be careful here….you are already waist deep in a project and to do this dual engine classic to your standards, by YOU…..could be a heavy load….or a lot to swallow from your already fullish plate.

    just sayin…..

    John in Va.

    • Eric
      Eric says:

      Took a look at lunch. I dub thee “Termite Dust”. Cool boat, cool history. $75-80,000 or more hole in the water !

  8. Eric Bornhofft
    Eric Bornhofft says:

    How do I get to come see this boat… I just finished a refurbishment of one and am ready to do another.

  9. Tom F
    Tom F says:

    Great boat for someone and worthy of a restoration. You can see a similar boat docked in front of the Riverside Grocery on Harsens Island in Michigan. The photo almost looks to be from the late 50’s or early 60’s….but was actually taken last year. Cool photo.

  10. Alex
    Alex says:

    “The Revenuer?” Back in the day running shine, likely. But today, more like “The Expenser.” Or “The Divorcer.” 🙂

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