Deluxe Runabout
From ClassicBoatWiki
Following the lead of the automobile industry, Chris-Craft adopted "marketing-derived" names to models, rather than uninspired number-based model names such as "Model 100." Series names such as "Standard," "Deluxe," and "Custom," are examples of this new scheme. The Deluxe, or more more accurately the Deluxe Runabout, had more standard features and a higher level of trim than the Standard models, but was not quite a full-featured as the Custom series. Features that differentiated the Custom models from the Deluxe models were: The availability of larger engine sizes, leather as standard rather than russaloid or naugahyde upholstery, more instrumentation and crash padding, doors for glove boxes, and side storage pockets for the rear seat compartment. Also, Customs were typically longer and slightly wider, with most of the extra length aft—behind the seating.
The Deluxe Runabout was one of the most resilient models in the Chris-Craft lineup spanning from the early 1930s well into the post WW-II years. Deluxe models included the 15.5-foot Deluxe runabout, a split cockpit runabout (1932-34); the 15.5-foot Deluxe runabout, an open model (1938-41); 16-foot DeLuxe runabout, a split cockpit runabout (1934-36); and the 21-foot Deluxe runabout (1932-34), a triple cockpit runabout.
Contents |
[edit] Split Cockpit Type
A split cockpit runabout has one set of seats forward of the engine and another set aft the engine. The 15.5-foot Deluxe Runabout was a hybrid boat design of sorts—technically speaking a split cockpit design—and almost a utility with an engine box in the aft cockpit. This boat was referred to as a Runabout, however, given its bridge deck defining forward and aft cockpits.
[edit] Double Cockpit Forward Type
The Double Cockpit Forward (DCF) is a runabout hull configuration with a forward deck, two rows of seats in front of the engine compartment, and a rear deck with an engine hatch, covering the engine and extending from the back of the 2nd row of seats to the transom. Prior to the Depression, most runabouts were so-called triples, that is with two rows of seats in front of an engine, which is covered by a deck, and a third row of seats behind the engine. Typically these were made in the 20- to 30-foot length range, and by virtue of their prices, were purchased only by the wealthiest class of people. In order to augment demand for boats as the Depression persisted, manufacturers began to shift to smaller and less expensive boats.
The first Deluxe Double Cockpit Forward (dDCF) runabout was the 18-foot model built from 1934-1936. This was followed by the 17-foot dDCF Runabout in 1937. The 1937 design carried over for the 1938 and 1939 model years. DCF boats were generally made in the 15- to 20-foot size range.
[edit] Barrelback Styling
By 1940, the 17-foot Deluxe Runabout was restyled with barrel stern ( barrelback) styling, following the design precedent set by the 19-foot Custom Runabout. This design iteration continued through 1942, when production was ceased in favor of war time production. The barrelback style was still considered a double cockpit forward design.
[edit] Post War Deluxe
After World War II, the popular 17-foot Deluxe Runabout was again in the product lineup, this time in a more conservative design. Still a double cockpit forward design, twin engine hatches were replaced by a single large hatch. For 1946 and 1947, Spanish cedar was used for planking and the screw holes were puttied instead of bunged. The windshield brackets were the same as the pre war 17-foot Deluxe, but the remainder of the hardware was styled similar to the all new Custom. The trademark pointed bow of the pre war 17-foot Deluxe was replaced by a softer rounded bow. And the pronounced tumblehome established on the 1940 17-foot Deluxe Runabout was gone, in favor of a more conservative design that was easier to produce.
[edit] Cockpit Style Boats...The End of The Run
As active water sports became more popular during the 1950s, open hull floorplans such as Utility models became more popular, and the relative position of cockpit style boats runabouts declined. Even so, the popular Deluxe Runabout stayed in the product line until the 50s.
[edit] The Deluxe Series
[edit] 1934-1936 18-foot
[edit] Hull series 33000 to 33207
- 208 made
- 1934
- 1935
- 1936
[edit] 1937-1939
[edit] 17-foot Hull series 71000 to 71528
- 529 made
- 1937
- 1938 The 1938 model came in three versions, model numbers 816, 817, and 818. These were based upon engine size, being 60-hp, 95-hp, or 121-hp Hercules engines, respectively. The prices ranged from $1190 to $1490.
- 1939
[edit] 1940-1942 Barrelback Design Style
[edit] 17-foot Hull series 71529 to 71954
- 425 made
- 1940
- 1941
- 1942
[edit] 1946-1950
[edit] 17-foot Hull series R 17-001 to R 17-1880
- 1880 made
- 1946
- 1947
- 1948
- 1949
- 1950
[edit] Links
Deluxe Runabouts in the Chris-Craft Antique Boat Club Online Archive
