Twin Engine Pre War 24 Sportsman – CRAP!
Twin Engine perfection
DAMMMMMMM YOU DAVE BORTNER! This is the one. First I LOVE LOVE LOVE WECATCHEM, she has the history, the lines, and restoration that is PERFECT. She is me, and our family loves her. But, I have said often, a twin engine Sportsman is the set up.
It’s worth it just for the type on the bow!
Twin everything, even horns!
And a Pre War one with that very cool Sportsman lettering on the bow is a mind blower. And here is one of the nicest ones we know of for sale. A big sister to Stinky? Both 1937 boats. It’s like they a genetically connected. maybe even the same batch of wood, the same craftsman, the same everything. AHHHHHHHH. Banjo wheel, sharp lines. Breath in breath out.
I thought I was getting jaded to it all. After seeing a ton of boats over the years. Is there a boat that can muster up the ole passion machine. HELL YES. This one! And considering what goes into a restoration of one of these, $250K plus, the price of $149,000 is actually reasonable. And given that a very nice 25 foot new center console can be in the $200K range. This is a deal. It will be worth roughly that much in a couple years, vs the center console. See, I have even rationalized it financially.
The Wicker Sisters older sisters!
Wicker picnic basket. Oh! That’s a must have
Her Terry Young interior still shows well. I have no idea what that is, but Terry did an amazing job, unless that is a reference to a leather, in which case, Terry, your young hide is aging well.
Two 25 Sportsman? Sure. Why not, Alex Watson has two, and has survived. His head didnt blow up. Wife is still around.. And its no different than having a 50 foot boat. Right, only smarter? And this one has twin K’s. So, talk me out of it. Or yourself into it. Can anyone help me justify it?
man oh man! So here is a question. If you have a love affair with a single engine boat, is it a threesome with a twin engine one? Egh? Now you really want it.
You can drool all over her HERE on the Freedom Boat Service Site.
I think Dave brought this boat to Algonac a couple years ago. It looks even better in the flesh than in the pictures. There Matt, did that help?
I say Hell Yes you need it. Its only money, Hey you cant take it with you. What an awesome boat and even double the fun/stories/pictures working on 2 flathead engines. in the same boat, does it get any better? You might need to hire a full time man to keep all these boats going as your going to burn Jimmy out.
I’ve had both. The pre-war rides much nicer.
Just buy it and put off retirement one more year. I actually like the styling on the post war 25 a bit better, but the pre-wars are a close second in the coolest utility ranking.
HAHAAH! This story published too early, so I woke up with all these “suggestions” and now I am even worse off. I LOVE THIS BOAT.. This famous meme capturs the feeling
Hahaha!!!! Remember, these old boats aren’t 100% reliable. You need a bunch of them to make sure you always have one running. Just ask Alex, or Paul, or…
I saw this boat in Algonac 2 years ago, and she is absolutely amazing. What’s even more amazing is to watch a guy try to operate it. With dual throttles in the steering wheel and a shifter on each side, it’s kind of like patting your head and rubbing your belly at the same time. If you can conquer that task Matt, I say go for it.
You set the rpm on both engines and only use the shift levers to maneuver and dock. It is the easiest boat to dock I have ever owned.
Sounds better than the joy stick on the 2018 Chris Crafts….and probably cheaper.
Crap, I can not chew gum and think at the same time. BUT that twin engine set up can make it easier to dock. A single screw 25 Sportsman is a challenge. I have it figuered out though using prop steer. I just love the rich history of this Pre War as it was the king of the fleet. And we have a 1937 Princes of the fleet already. But I will add the styling on the post war ones are amazing, smooth
Just do it!
Two more engines to break, double the amount of stories just on that topic. More photos of this beauty and Wecatchem together, just average of the stories per dollar spent and it seems cheap at that price. And don’t forget the name, new dock, all the work for Jimmy! More stories ! Another 10 yrs of WB at least!! Buy it.
Oh. We need more young people in the hobby.
It’s a Michigan boat. Buy it fast and Dave can bring it with him to Boat the Blue. “Bring your Boat Home” and we can all get a ride in her in Port Huron!
Winner of the creative plug today! Ha
We double dog dare you to buy it!!!
All of us younger members say “Buy it!”
Think of all the money you will save over buying one with a sixteen cylinder in it! Plus you get new bulldozer driving skills (a real crowd pleaser as ou spin on a dime) and a keen ear as you learn to sync those puppies up.
Yes.
Will he accept a trade? I’ve got a 1958 beauty with a great hide that’s aging wonderfully with no internal issues. Even willing to throw some cash in also. She also cooks pretty well and nags minimally unless there’s talk of another boat.
…and that’s when he got served Divorce papers…
With the dual controls, you will be a very busy captain coming into the dock.
I’m sure the chicks dig that too, unless you mess up.
A reminder we have done a story on the pre war sportsman before. Fun read.
https://www.woodyboater.com/blog/2015/05/15/the-pre-war-chris-craft-25-sportsman-where-are-they-now/
Twins are twice as nice….even on a boat.
Is Troy ok? No comments or pictures about twins yet. Send out the Woodyboater search party!
I could always use YOUR life insurance. Just sayin’.
crap!
Two comments:
The reference to Terry Young interior: Terry is the Bob Speltz of upholstery, around here anyway. Not only was he a great friend of Bob’s, but he has consistently done the most researched, detailed, and original upholstery work I have ever seen anywhere. I learn something new every time I talk to Terry! An interview with Terry would be a really great story, but the way both Matt and Terry can talk, I’m afraid we might not see either of them again!
Second, a little breathtaking news from the new boat world: I helped a great vintage boat customer of ours hunt and gather a Ski Nautique G25 last week. A new G25 runs somewhere north of $170,000. I know I sound like my father, but ho-leee! And it doesn’t even have two engines,,, well, it does have a 550 hp supercharged V-8……..
For the record, Matt, I’m looking at buying a 47′ boat. A cruiser. So I guess I’m not smarter. “Dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb.”
Fabulous boat but curious about instrument panel. I always was under the impression that this model got the 6 unit panel with twins getting the duplex instruments like cruisers. Anybody out there know for certain?
why are we even talking about this…..call Dave!
My daughter just asked the other day where the Nothwind was as she had lived a couple houses down from us on Stony Point on Torch Lake for many years. Looking good!
This boat resided at Stoney Point on Torch Lake for 12 years and was renamed Northwind in honor of the original cottage named Northwind which was built in 1907.
How many twin engine models were made? Who were they typically sold to? Any purposeful purchases like type of water or was it more or less twice is nicer?
There were only 12 twin engine boats built from 1937 thru 1939.
With 2 levers you cant drink and drive,,sit in back let Jimmy drive you,As far as the money have a pre estate sale,Just go buy it and enjoy,,I tell my self this alot Bill
Just buy it!
You have twice the chance of making it home with twins.
Matt,
Didn’t the Boatress get the last two boats? It’s your turn.
Next Matt will be wanting a pre war 25′ Sportsman with the sedan roof.
I had twins once. Never again…..
When I bought a nice boat my son said it best – Dad I am good with assets…
Do It
I know this is late to this party but I think I read a comment somewhere that Chris Smith wanted to order a twin engine 25 or U22 and his father advised against it. He ordered it anyway and was later sorry. Something to think about.