It’s Simple, And A Wonderful Starter Woody Boat For Your Little Woody Boaterlettes.
Clean and Simple
I have seen this little 1937 17′ footer now for a while on Fellow Woody Boater Joel’s website. And always thought that it would be fun to have and just leave in the water as a fun knock around boat, and possibly a great starter boat for new folks getting into the culture or future grand kids. Years off by the way, but still an excuse to buy it.
Starboard side
Port side. I think or is it Starboard?
it doesn’t matter where you sit as long as its in the center.
And for a jaw dropping price of $6,000 its a steal. You can’t even buy a simple john boat with engine for that. And this thing screams class and elegance in a small way. Am I alone in this strange thought process?
The little B I sure is enough power
Nice layout
Does it really need a new bottom? Let it soak and leave it in the water for the summer and just enjoy it.
YOU SEE MORE ON THE CHRIS CRAFT HERE
Actually, you could buy a half dozen Jon boats with small outboards for that price, but where would you keep them all?
Matt, I’ve got a john boat to sell you for $6,000.
I was kinda excited about that price until I checked the youtube listing. That 6K is the STARTING bid! Good luck with that!
I mean eBay.
We finishing a restoration on one of these that we are going to show around Michigan next summer. They are pretty cool little boats and truly the pick-up truck of the Chris Craft fleet. The one for sale is even over detailed. The boat came from the factory with no waterline, no floor mats just painted plywood. No seat back cushions just one big thin cushion on the seat bottoms. The 1936-37 Standard utility sold for $997.00 with only 2 gauges and 2 colors of wire, black and yellow. The engine box was painted and just the lid varnished along with just the top board of the seat backs. You know it’s the bottom of the line boat when they don’t even put a waterline on them. I know of one with the factory hard top that is for sale that has all new bottom frames and a new 5200 bottom. I think they are so plan there cool.
Thats perfect Mike, the simpler and more primitive the better.
I have to admit that I did not think I would care much for a 16′ boat with a B, but I had the privilege of riding in Therapy in August ’14 and it was a real treat.
This will make someone a very nice boat.
Slap a V8 in it and make a sleeper out of it… 🙂
Wonder if Bob Sloan ( may he rest in peace) ever tried to get more than 60 hp out of a model B ?
Hi guys I think I have the boat in the header. Its a 1954 Chief built by Tomahawk boats in Tomahawk WI. its a Chief model about 13 ft long with a 33hp OBC rating. Notice it still has the tag on the eye and I found a Santa hat under the deck along with a one piece swimsuit. This were cedar strip boats and had a option of fiberglass covering no soak bottom
That header boat looks a lot like an Old Town 14′ Sea Model I have. Are you sure it’s a Tomahawk? I can’t make out the logo near the transom.
Yes Wilson. He found a stroker crank an got 70hp out of two he built. He had one in his 16′ Riv for a while. Remember. The fastest way to horsepower is cubic inches.
Here’s the boat
Steve, saw your CL ad. What is the admission charge to that museum of yours? Wow! What a great collection!
For the past 2 years I’ve been wrestling with the idea of swapping out Panther’s B for a K, KB, KBL or modern power. I’ve used my little 17′ Sportsman for about 10 years as it is and I’m tired of going so slow I can’t use it to participate in some show cruises, and the occasional tow back to the dock. I would crate the B for future owners. A respected Jersey restorer has advised that I still go with period correct engine but I’ve done the judging thing and I’m thinking its just time to enjoy the boat. Thoughts?
Rick, what do you want to do with the boat, and how fast to you want to go? I had a ’59 CC 17 ft. Sportsman with the 283 4bbl that would easily tow two adult skiers and top 40 mph without going to WOT. My 17ft. CC Deluxe with standard K will cruise at near 30 mph in the sweet spot and push 35 mph at WOT. You ran next to Water Lily when you came to the Algonac show. However, it uses a lot less fuel than the V8. You also may need to modify your engine box for a V8. Decide what is best for how you want to use Panther and then continue to enjoy that beautiful boat!
My aim is to be able to pull an adult skier and cruise at a respectable speed with 4 adults confidently for a cruise like at Algonac or St, Michaels. There have always been rides in other boats for these events but I’d love to use my own some day.
As a related side note, you rode in Canada Goose at Algonac. I think it still had the 6 cyl. Buchanon ( Canadian 6cyl K) as power at that time. Alex had the same issue with that triple Peterborough. He repowered with a 350 V8 a couple years ago. We no longer have to wait for Alex to catch up on our club cruises!
Keep in mind, there are other engine choices besides a K or a GM v8. There are slightly more modern 4’s and 6’s as well. I would imagine a 135-140hp 4 cylinder would do what you are looking for. The 6 or 8’s even more so.
What you lose with modern though is the look of classic and, especially, the sound of classic. I’d go with a K if the future owner wants more power.
when i finish my streblow ill also decide whether to reinstall the caddy crusader or modern power, though both powerful, i dont plan on showing it and wouldnt mind the peace of mind of modern power. also i have someone that might need it for his restoration. i would let it go if someone needed it more than me.
How about an MCL. Still give you the vintage look. With 175 ponies it should get the job done.
6 to start, strip and refinish, upholstery, flooring, how long will that tired b last?, needs a cutwater, windshield, ceiling boards, 68 year old bottom? and paint. adds up quick. but I like it.
I had the good fortune to catch the 17′ standard utility at Mike Green’s Maritime Classics restoration shop in Traverse City and was completely taken as Matt was. It is a little gem with no adornment like a Chevy 150 model in the 50’s or Biscayne from the 60’s. Probably why Festivus is so popular from “Seinfeld”. “I find tinsel distracting and prefer the clean lines of a simple aluminum pole”.