Why This 30′ Chris Craft Sportsman Is Worth Every Penny, All $229,000 Of Them.

WOW

If you are in the market for a new boat, like a new plastic anything, you no doubt have had some insane sticker shock. A 30 ft boat can be up in the $400K range, Hell Pontoon boats start around $45K and on top of all that, you may have to wait til 2023 for it. BUT, this 1977 Chris Craft at $230K is one insane good deal.  Here is why.

Amazing interior

One, let’s just start with the design. Ray Hunt perfection, and will always be appreciated by boaters. Two, these are built like tanks. Three, the owner dumped a crap load of dough into this. I bet far more than $230K And it has everything you would want, need and dream of.

Timeless design

These Ray Hunt Sportsman are always gonna be up there and if you find one cheap, your gonna wind up like this guy, selling it for half what you spent on it. And here it is.  Ugh.. I wish, this is one I would go for, but.. Did I mention I bought a Railway.

New Twin Yanmar engines.

ONE CLICK HERE ON EBAY AND YOU ARE ONE STEP CLOSER. 

 

19 replies
  1. Greg Lewandowski
    Greg Lewandowski says:

    Yes, these are beautiful boats and designed for big water. There are two or three up here that participate in Michigan gang events and are always admired. The price seems steep until you read what has been done to the boat and look at all the photos. I agree that to the right buyer with a little negotiating this could be a deal. My only question is why the hell is he selling it!

  2. Frank@Falmouth
    Frank@Falmouth says:

    Wow , Beautiful boat, but for that type of CASH, (I doubt one would be able to finance a 1977 boat) I might go another route… But if I won the lotto, then maybe this would make it to a slip at the dock.. But yes, good boats are expensive and in short supply. Im waiting for the crash in a year or two when the newbies realize the effort and expense to own and operate those Covid purchases.. And by the same token , you cant take it with you, so why not if youve got the cash laying around…

  3. NR
    NR says:

    This boat was just finished a few months ago. The resto can be followed on the Chris Craft Commander site. Restoring glass is expensive just like wood. The good part is that the yearly upkeep is far less. This one is at the top of the charts with regard to quality of work and price. They are rare boats and most were built as the TF version with a hard top and fly. Bertram sued and won so the production was stopped and the molds destroyed. Hunt still makes boats from 26′-73′ and a clone of this in a 32′. It was a 30′ but now an outboard version and in my opinion it lost some character. One would guess they could still make the inboard. Stunning boats.

  4. NR
    NR says:

    This boat was just finished a few months ago. The whole resto can be followed on the Chris Craft Commander Club site. It’s at the top for both price and quality. They are rare boats. The vast majority are the TF model with a fly. Bertram sued and the production stopped and the molds destroyed. There is still a Hunt Yachts. They make up to a 76′ and down to a 26′. They now make this boat, or very similar, in an outboard design which looses some of the design, In my opinion. Previous to the outboard it was made as an inboard 30′ which I bet they could still build. Absolutely stunning boats.

  5. Randy
    Randy says:

    Boy, if anyone thinks it takes a lot to accomplish a ‘refresh’ to a classic FG boat like this — you should try it with a wood cruiser. Wouldn’t even come close!

    You have to do it for love, like ‘restoring’ an old shipyard.

  6. Mark in Ohio (sometimes da U P)
    Mark in Ohio (sometimes da U P) says:

    It is a nice Boat. Looks like a nice mixture of new and old style. My question is if he put that much money and work into it recently, why is he selling it?

  7. John F Rothert
    John F Rothert says:

    Wow…lot of dough, lot of boat. CC thought they could get away with messing with Bertram back in the day…wrong.
    These are the rare ones that slipped out during the litigation and yes they are rare…but a few years back I passed on a flybridge version in nearly perfect shape for way less $. I see this being a no sale for a long time at that price in these days. Investment being in no way related to devotion or sales price. Let’s see if I am wrong….again.
    John in Va.

    • Gary VT
      Gary VT says:

      John have you seen the price of diesels! The price is reasonable. Getting financing is a big issue. CC also got in trouble with Ribovich with the Chrisovitch. Seems a pattern back in the day. I have a couple of issues with this resto mod. One she gained too much weight forward and destroyed the slope of the sheer by being down by the head ever so slightly. It also appears too me, anyway,that they installed faux teak decking. On the other hand I made decent money as a teenager cleaning teak decks so one part of me understands if the purest doesn’t. A lower rub rail on the hull aft would do wonders by lowering the look of the hull making it appear longer. Take my naval arch hat off and say very nice job regardless of my quips

  8. Jack Thee Boat Hack
    Jack Thee Boat Hack says:

    If I were divorced, I’d take my share of the house (and then some) and totally buy this. Wait, if I did this, then I would be divorced. Hmmmm.

  9. Don Palmer
    Don Palmer says:

    The price of boats has definitely gone up over the years.
    My next door neighbor and his next door neighbor both bought new Wake Surf boats this past year. Each paid $210,000 plus for their boats. Each one paid more in sales tax (10%) than I paid for my boat!

  10. Mark in Ohio (sometimes da U P)
    Mark in Ohio (sometimes da U P) says:

    On E-Bay It did not give the location of the boat. Upon further review of the pictures, The boat looks like it is located in Green Bay Wisconsin.

  11. John F Rothert
    John F Rothert says:

    always respect your view Gary, still out of my budget and agree that the diesels way to heavy for this boat…I know of several Berts with the diesels and it shakes them like crazy.

    Hope to see you at Wings and Wheels and Keels this weekend?

    John in Va

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