Boat Buzz

Update, June 24, 2014
Thankfully this boat has been sold to someone who is going to fully restore it.

Hi guys,

This one needs to be saved.
The guy is asking something like $3250 with trailer, and will deliver.
Boat is in Montana now, seems to be a restoration candidate in better condition than one I am working on now.
It is my belief, that a Ford FE 352, 390, or 427, all of which are identical externally, would all bolt up to the V-drive and provide plenty of power. This model was sold with big block (427) or small block (327) power.

These don't come up for sale often, this one is a project, but it is a premium model sure to become more sought after.

The Italian version called the "MONTE CARLO" was slightly modified to have a rear sun pad, thanks to Herb Pocklington who was running the Italian Chris-Craft operation, and one is currently for sale in Sweden for $29,000 The American version was only sold in 1968 and 1969 with a Commander badge, and then 25 more were sold in 1970 as the 23-foot Lancer Premier.

let's see if we can get this one to someone who will do it justice. I would take it in a heartbeat but I am already two-and-a-half boats down on the restoration side and just don't have the room or time.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/424840/thread/1397499567

regards,

Paul

Awesome boat.

Chad,
This has YOUR name on it

I'm good for now, I already have my name on an unfinished boat. Should be finished around 2020.

Spread the word.........this is a premium model and perfect for someone to go through.

If I didn't have two projects unfinished now it would be sitting in my driveway.

The next best thing to a barn find when it comes to fiberglass, and even though it is in Montana, the Uship.com concept would get it out. My 20-foot fiberglass Sea Skiff made the trip from Medina NY to Nashville this way and it worked well.

Regards,

Paul

Update................as of August 2014, the boat has been sold to a person in Michigan, and I recently saw it for sale at $8000.

For anyone looking for a PREMIUM fiberglass model to spend time and money on, THIS was a good deal at the original asking price for sure, because it came on a trailer. Yes I know, it was in Montana and may as well have been in Siberia.

Some boats will take EXACTLY the same amount of cash and work to restore, same amount of cost for chrome, upholstery, motor rebuilds, instrument restoration, etc., but in the end a premium boat like a 23 Commander is always going to hold its price (or yes, appreciate in value) when the "other boat" is going to drop in value like a rock. This has been proved many many times over, with people sinking lots of cash into a restoration, only to have to sell at a loss.

The 23 Commanders are pretty rare these days, only 115 were made during 1968 and 1969. I doubt if many of you have even seen one at a boat show. They ride like a limo in water that would pound the heck out of most anything else, thanks to that 24-degree deadrise deep-v hull. I am hoping to see one of these at a boat show sometime in the future. They are especially cool if they have the optional 427 engine !

End of update.

regards,

Paul