Who Wins Barn Find Of The Year, This Year? Asking For A Friend.

OH HELL YA, this was fun

In the world of useless debates, because we all are winners. Like little league baseball these days. I ask a fun question for 2021. Hey, it’s that time of year. What was the barn find of the year? In my mind, it came down to three boats. The Hydro, and Baby Chick, the 25 Sportsman, and the DEE WHITE Proto. Yes, there have been others. A cool Carver, Miss Buttaface, which is a time capsule. But as far as real Barnfinds. Rats and all. The Hydro and Baby Chick, and the Dee White prototype are on my top 3 list. Here is a break down of the two candidates. and of course I am always into a write in.

Cinderblock included

The Step Hydro Racer – Of all the boats to find and drool all over, the Step Hydro 16 Racer barrel back is the peak of the peak. Like finding the cherry on top of Everest. Its rare, Racer, Cool as hell, were not designed to last, absolutely stunning, and fun as hell when done. Also I will add, worth every penny you pore into it. Mike Green from Maritime Classics is doing a very cool Youtube series on this Racers restoration. Mike is a great guy and direct descendent of Chris Smith of Chris Craft. So it’s as close as it gets to going back to the factory to be restored.

I put into the same category as a COBRA, THUNDERBOLT find. Heck A Shelby Cobra. Also its a very historic boat for Chris Craft and a MUST have for any collector and sure fire show winner. It’s the big boob blond babe of any boat show. And can compete with the Cobra’s and so on.

Covered and now recovered

BABY CHICK 25 Sportsman – Okay, yes we found it. So discount that, personally I would vote for the Step Hydro. So dont feel weird voting that way. BUT, it was actually in a barn. And 100% There, okay no engine. So that part is a dinger. But as parts go, all there. One family owned since new, and is a 25 Sportsman, hands down the best boat Chris Craft ever made as a usable boat. Very rare, and loved by all that have owned one. This boat after restoration is a keeper, user, and will hold its value. Not cheap to restore, but worth every penny. This one has it all including tell tale details of how she was loved, and will be kept that way for a while.

And is called BABY CHICK!

The Stoped in time feel and the originalness of it all is its beauty. I actually am not in a hurry to restore her. Maybe because I already have a perfect one in WECATCHEM. She belongs in the same Preresrtic family as the Ramsey Bros Dart, and Wise boat. Sometimes old ratty age is part of its glory. This year at the Reedville Show, I will have both WECATCHEM and BABY CHICK side by side. And I would bet BABY CHICK wins the hearts and minds 2 to 1.

Oh ya!

Dee White prototype At Inland Boats In NH

THE DEE WHITE PROTOTYPE – This is a last minute addition to the event. Its rare, a prototype, and has a unique Outdrive set up. This is an unrestored gold mine of history. This is Museum stuff, and one could even question restoring it to use. Since its real history and importance is already there. You can feel it radiating off the screen and in person would send me into a trance of history and time well spend. In Storage.

So there ya have it. Three barnfinds that remind us all that “They are still out there” Or in there. Some other insane finds are below to get your hopes up. Woohoooo.

My Fave Dart owned by the Ramsey Bros

Christopher Wise and the boat his great grandfather built.

The Cobra Prototype, preserved, restored by Kats Marina

This wonderful Higgins

AHHHHHHH!

Stinky! Rat crap and all

THAYER IV the film boat from On Golden Pond

Found in a Barn in California and restored to a Major show tahoe winner by McHall Boats in Idaho

Launch still in there. Hold on I need to.. wait..ahhh…. CHOO!

SCARLET in the barn she was found in. Never registed and had still all the original hull cards and all. 100 hrs. Restored by Katz and now Jimmys amazing boat

BARNWOOD, found by the Harrisons and restored to a perfect Show Winner

The other On Golden Pond boat Mariah US Mail boat

Basement find in Buffalo.

Drool fest in Florida, Thunderbolt.

It’s not just boats that are barn finds. This image is the Chris Craft gang and could be the first production boat they made. I have the original with others found in a storage shed.

They are still out there! Are you?