Work Has Started On Preserving The First 17′ Barrel Back.
Yikes, topless bottom work!
Restoring a 17 Chris Craft barrel back for the shows next summer? Well, meet your future competition. The first 17ft Chris Craft Barrel Back is being preserved at Katz’s Marina. Hull Number 71529
You can see the number sequence and the hull number 71529
And from speaking to Seth, he is going all out. No detail, is going to be over looked. She will be perfectly preserved.
She is in good shape to start with and extreme care is being taken to preserve as much as possible.
This is a historic boat being the first one, and the Barrel Back Chris Smith road around in. Her history and importance to the classic boat world is worthy and will be out there, and here on Woody Boater from time to time to show updates. Thanks to Bob Kays for the photos.
Amazing!
How does Seth find these things?
What a great piece of history.
How are those I.D. tags in such good condition? They look brand new.
yea, one tag brand new wth?
Any changes to the running surfaces between this one and the last one made? Any evolution?
Will Seth call this boat “Primero” to go along with his “Finito”!
What a beauty. Just go ahead and take all the awards now.
Great article – and rare game-changing boat and design! I happen to own the prior hull number (#71528) – and thus, very last hull made of the 1937-1939 series of 17′ Deluxe Runabout twin cockpit forwards. Powered with a KB triple-carb engine, she’s a blast to drive.
I agree with Ryan! No one is qualified except Katz’s on this webpage. They take all the awards and no one can do better work or preserve a boat but Seth.