Boat Buzz

I recently purchased a 1968 Chris Craft Lancer which is factory equipped with twin Volvo 120's
When I first saw the boat I questioned its authenticity, as I or anyone else I know has ever seen one produced with twins. However I have since verified its history through the Mariners Museum research package which was available for 30 bucks (well worth the money)
Does anyone else on this forum have knowledge of the existence of another example of a factory made 23 Lancer with twins?

Bill,
I've never in my experience seen a Lancer with the engine set-up you have but if you find another one I'll fight you for it!

Craig

I've never seen or heard of a 23' Lancer with twin engines. I have seen the 25'ers that had twins. Are you sure it's a 23'er? What is the hull number? In any case, it sounds like a good boat.

I know It's hard to believe, but the boat is 100% authentic and verified by the Mariners Museum archives. The Hull number is: ORAZ-23-3004 which makes it an early production 1968 model. It was shipped from the Corsair plant in September of 1967.
It is a one owner boat in pretty good original condition. The gel coat is still quite good and has never been painted over.Plywood in the floor panels is still solid and is covered with the original floor covering.
I plan on doing a complete restoration and showing the boat at regional shows.

Hi, That Lancer sounds pretty interesting, do you have photos you could post here in Boat Buzz?

Ron Michael
1972 CC XK22

The 1968 Chris-Craft Corsair by Thompson Boat Company of New York, Inc. brochure shows the 23 ft. Lancer. The text indicates she was available with 150 HP V-6; 185 HP V-8; or twin 120 HP units.

Andreas

Here's one, there was a couple on ebay not long ago. If you want one, it may take a year but they do pop up from time to time.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/ ... namnls.jpg

Not many twin engine 23' Lancers out there but the iron block solid lifter OHV Volvo 4 cylinder motor is one STRONG 4-cylinder motor.

I always thought that hull would do better with a hi-po 427, so that's what I'm working on now.

Regards,
Paul

The one you saw on eBay was about 2 years ago,and I bought it. There haven't been any since then, I monitor that section on eBay daily and I would know if and when any of these appear.

Actually the one I saw was a couple weeks ago, here is a photo and the Yachtworld link may still be active if you hurry. I have also seen them on ebay.
This one was listed for $3500. Looked like a pretty nice foundation for restoration.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v472/ ... 311_12.jpg

http://www.network54.com/Forum/424840/thread/1280888146

I see a couple of these each year, note the date on the links, they are not plentiful but they are out there if you are patient. They are not for everyone, twice the motor issues, twice the transmission issues, twice the reliability, and perhaps twice the fun too? I think owning one in good condition would be a lot of fun. Restoring one can always be done, even if total engine and drivetrain replacement is in order, it would still be a rare commodity, being a 23' boat with two engines. Very cool.

Regards,

Paul

Cool stuff, thanks for the posts.! I'd actually love to have a twin or single V8 engine 25' Lancer, but they are a little big for trailering. Actually, I think they are over 8 1/2' at the beam. But these are all very cool!

There appear to be two 25' hulls that had twins to pick from. One is the 25' Lancer, which was offered with a pair of V6 motors. The other is the more recent 25' Tournament fisherman, which is an unique boat built on the Catalina hull, not a center console but a cab forward sort of boat with cuddy and seating actually ahead of the helm station.

The 25' Lancer is one absolutely beautiful classic glass boat. The TF is a little more utilitarian and functional depending on your lifestyle. The TF was offered with a pair of 4 cylinder GM motors, but I think there were some with twin V8 motors too, perhaps converted by owners.

I looked at perhaps owning a 25 and you are absolutely right. If you would be keeping it at the marina full time that is one thing, but trailering something with a beam of 9'-8" is too much for me.

Of course you could get a 27' open Commander with twin v8 motors, set up like a large runabout, but now we are getting into some serious weight and beam.

I recently restored a 1966 20' fiberglass Sea Skiff and now I'm working on a 23' Lancer inboard, and pretty excited about it. I don't want to hijack this thread, so I'll close by saying the Lancer hull is very well thought of, 23-degree deadrise, with the patented lifting strakes directly from Jim Wynne's offshore racing success. At the time other offshore racers had external hull ribs but they were just there for reinforcement. Along comes Wynne sho gave the reinforcement ribs a flat bottom parallel with the water, and the result is a foil of sorts that helps lift the boat out of the water the faster you go. Naturally the higher out of the water a deep-v boat like this gets, the less friction it has and faster it will go. The hull is still ready for any chop. Great riding boats. I had the pleasure of riding in a 23' Commander version with 327 and V-drive, same basic hull, on Lake Michigan and it sliced through the chop just out from the Bay Harbor Yacht Club in very impressive manner. These 23' hulls all look good, they can dock at any YC and get a second look.

With twin engines, the boat would have a very unique character.

regards,

Paul