Is This One Of The 12 First Production Center Console Chris Craft Dorys?
The other day, while on our search for the Boatresses new boat, we came across a very cool Chris Craft Dory. As the story started to unfold, fellow Woody Boater Jim Grant shared with us a special one off maybe Dory. As the story goes, and its a story, was that 12 special ones were sent to various dealers for something?
1974 Chris Craft 22 Fisheman or Sportsman?
What we don’t know. Were these prototypes sent out to see what consumer reaction would be? Sure the wood ones were successful, but in fiberglass? This particular one is unique in many ways, and according to Jim, feels very factory. For example the gas tank is forward of the engine, not behind like others. The wood work goes around the entire boat. Many details are all Chris Craft factory parts. Was this a special executive order?
Amazing factory swim rap around platform? The vent is added over where a Chris Craft logo should be?
Now a lot of this could be answered except Jim can’t seem to locate a Serial number. No place. Maybe deep in the hull. There is a number on the title, but it doesn’t get close to matching up. Hull number is XDA220002 And the Mariners Museum has no record, but does call out 12 special Sportsman. Is this one?
Wood and Fiberglass make compliment each other.
Beautiful wood!
Teak decks? Really!
She needs new engine stringrs.
These fiberglass hulls only have wood in the engine strings according to a 1974 article in Yachting Magazine. So I suppose this isnt to bad.
Now lets get back to the romance of all this.
An older snap shot, she is now Grey
As we look over it, it does make a great candidate for the boatress’s new boat. She wants it pink, and done up, so we have a concept based on a Fiat Jolly.
Fiat Jolly
Now, I will add this sort of thing is not new. Harley Earl built a special pink corvette for his bride.. So of course the Boatress can have a special boat.
Mrs Earls pink Corvette – CNN photo
The Boatress’s future pink Dory?
Now. Here is the question of the day. This specific boat needs new Engine strings and a lot of TLC, like an entire restoration. What could I possibly be getting into? Note that a happy wife makes a happy… well you know the rest of the story.
It’s going to be a nice boat for her. If your lucky she might let you take it out once in a while to put gas in it or something.
If it’s Pink It won’t Sink!
A couple stringers, new engine, lots of wood to replace or refinish, plus paint the hull pink? Sounds like your wife wont be fishing until 2016. You mights want to get a temp boat for her to use while you are restoring this one.
I think you should deliver it to Katz’s and let them do their magic. After the beautiful job they did on Pumpkin I am sure “Pinky” would come out as a real head turner and you could have it done for late summer.
PS: It would also make a great photo boat at Dora next spring.
Cool boat! Love the lines and wrap around wood. You know what a restoration costs, but do it any way!
Serial numbers on fiberglass CC’s of this era are typically found on the bow. Look below the pulpit for numbers to be stamped into the gelcoat just below the rub rail. Usually port side. If the boat has been painted it can be tough to find.
Even prototypes and low production boats should have numbers.
Yes the boat has been painted and what ever they used it is very strong paint that doesn’t want to come off at all. Also have searched the entire boat all over for it with no success.
And the engine traces back to a cruiser so that means sanding down the multiple coats of paint to find the hull number.
If you’re getting it for the right price just do it, you guys will love it when it’s done.
Wrap it up!
Call it “In the Pink.”
As in “enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think.” (Which clearly means buy another boat.)
Your observations are all “logical”. There is nothing “logical” about getting involved with another boat……………..
Matt,
Do you think the Boatresses might like 1957 Lincoln Coral? Like I put on my 57 Barracuda. Nice color.
JAG
Absolutely.
Yeah, please at least call it coral and not pink. I think the Jolly is actually coral as well. Words mean things. If it wasn’t for the word muffin we’d all be eating cupcakes for breakfast!
Out here we call that color “salmon”… 🙂 Go for it!
From first printing of the essential guide. Anyone have a newer copy of it to see if it’s the same in it.
as a complete restoration noob… I saw go for it!! Our ’69 Cavalier Ski boat is all fiberglass except the engine stringers and floor. I was lucky enough up discover the stringers are in excellent shape but the floor has some minor soft spots. The beauty of a fiberglass boat with little to no wood structure is that you can make it usable very quickly by only handling the structural issues. Then you can do the cosmetic restoration over the winter!
Classic boats in the color of pink (also referred to as salmon, coral, fuchsia) make people smile and feel good. With some luck you could probably get this Chris-Craft Dory back to “as-delivered-from-the-factory” condition for 40K 0r 50K.
Don’t forget the very special Mary Kay pink.
Matt, I forgot to mention when I looked over the 12 sportsman hull cards there were 2 or 3 that were sent out with an optional swim platform. Also there is nothing at the museum that says what the difference is between the sportsman model and the tournament fisherman model. I did this research 7 or 8 years ago so there is a chance that the museum might have come up with something since then.
Matt – do the smart thing, buy one already done. Great choice of boat to be sure, but save yourself a lot of money and grief and go find one that somebody else has restored. But, you already know this is the way to go……right?
No, no, buy this one and restore it yourself. That way you know that it is done right! Think how well you will sleep at night.
I owned a 1964 with a cuddy cabin and a 1975 center console about 10 years later. I still rue the day I sold them. Great looking boats that positive comments everywhere you go. I like the profile with the seats further aft. I would like to see a couple photographs of the interior layout. Any chance it’s in the Annapolis area ? Where?
I love the CC Dory- I finally saw one in person last fall in Lake Geneva. This wooden Cavalier was the RC boat for the LGYC- so very cool.
As it turns out there is one for sale in the Annapolis area; a 1964 Cutlass with a cuddy cabin. If you’re interested, contact me and I will put you in touch with the owner, Fred Ames.
gene.darnell@hotmail.com