Looking For Wicker Chairs!
In Special K a pre War 25 Sportsman at lake Dora!
OK, I am going to use the power of Woody Boater for personal use. Sorry! But since getting WECATCHEM I have been searching for a pair of correct wicker chairs. Now, to be honest, I am not even sure if these are correct, but I see them in a bunch of Sportsman.
The interior on this Sportsman is original! Dutches II on Gull Lake – Are the rear seats? Same design!
On ebay there are ones that look like this but always turn out to be for doll houses. What the hell! So todays story is two fold. One are these correct seats for the back? And two, who cares, they are cool, anyone have them that they may want to sell?
40’s style director chairs, looks great and stores easy
I have a set like new and never used
Seattle
Omaha
Ventura
If you search around in the CC archives you’ll see advertising shots of the optional wicker chairs offered. The ones pictured in the header photo are vintage/style correct. Good luck with your search!
For at least the pre-war 24′ / 25′ Sportsmen, the Chris Craft accessory catalogs listed “Gold Medal” (Racine, WI) brand folding mahogany / canvas director chairs. A pair of these are listed as purchased options on the hull card of my 1938 Sportsman – and I’ve since found two.
Here’s a similar chair: http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/41318-massey-harris-directors-chair
And another shot…
My take was always post war: Directors Chairs and prewar: Wicker
that’s my thought, too.
I seem to recall Ann Matheson advertised wicker chairs in older Brass Bells. You might check with her.
Isn’t there a “Wicker are Us” outlet store somewhere in the USA?
There are tons of wicker chairs available in the US. I think Matt is going to have to “settle” for modern production chairs. Any 1950 era wicker chairs that have survived this long will “settle” on to the floor boards once a modern sized American lard buttocks sits on it.
I remember seeing them for sale in a Chris Craft parts book that dealers used. They did look like the first photo or close to it. I’m looking for 4 of them as well and would like to find someplace that sells them new that are close to original.
Ohhhhh, here we go again — zippers and snaps ………
Excruciating details to be investigated.
Hey Matt try Wicker Warehouse on line. Bought some porch wicker chairs and they are nice. A temporary fix till you find originals.
I concur with Wilson. Back in the day, when a lot of todays’ boats weren’t classified as antique or classic, Ann Matheson had some reproductions made and for sale. Those would be Classic’s today.
In New England that’s called “Wicka” . I use 2 folding chairs from the 50″s on my cruiser. I saw a 42 cruiser with these chairs in it.
In the old days a popular brand was Wicker-Kraft chairs. You’ll find ADs in old boat magazines. George P.P. Bonnell swore by them for use in his Hand V Bottom boats.
Go for the new plastic versio. They really look like real wicker but don’t have the upkeep of wicker. Just spray them off, leave them in the sun, let yur cat try to scratch on them…no roblem and still look great1
We purchased Telescope Directors Chairs in the 1960s for our Chris Craft. Here is a link http://www.telescopecasual.com/product/742/
Another old-time maker of Directors Chairs is Gold Medal since 1892. Here is a link http://www.goldmedalchairs.com/classic.html
I have some wicker that was on AB. I am keeping some with her but may be ready to get rid of some of it.
Will be in touch once we get home. (Should be there tomorrow)
OH Better yet, buy the wicker and I will through in the boat!
LOL, “Free wicker, all you have to do is take the boat with them”
My Dad has vintage boat chairs that my grandparents used on their boat in the early 1900’s. Two things I know: the last set I saw sold on an antique boat site went for $1600 for the pair: the exterior seat dimension is about 22 inches, but the interior seat dimension is only around 14 to 16 inches. That’s not very roomy! I hope you found something that works for you.
Yes, they are very snug, I love these in the photo. WOW!