Silver Arrow

From ClassicBoatWiki

[edit] Introduction

In the months leading up to its 1958 introduction, Chris-Craft had spent considerable expense and human resources on the futuristic Silver Arrow design, penned by independent industrial designer Don Mortrude of Pompano, Florida. It is rumored that the Silver Arrow was originally to be a molded fiberglass hull, with a molded fiberglass deck and cockpit components. But, fresh off the Lake ’N Sea debacle of 1955 through 1958, the company took a last minute turn, and instead decided to manufacture the Silver Arrow hull as a traditional plank on frame boat—spruce planking—with an outer lamination of fiberglass cloth and polyester resin. It is believed that some of the later Silver Arrows were planked in fir.

According to Chris-Craft marketing literature: So new and different, it'll take your breath away! The action-packed Silver Arrow is designed for the man who wants a modern "sports car of the waterways." Power-packed engines to 215 hp, speeds to 42 mph make it a honey for water skiing. Removable ski tow, available as optional equipment, fits in range light socket. Sleek, canted fins...deluxe appointments ...one-piece, reinforced fiber-glass deck . . . and a host of fresh, new styling features. One look and you'll want a new Silver Arrow!

While some early fiberglass on wood experiments were from the waterline down, the Silver Arrows were 'glassed from the chine up. The planked mahogany bottoms were left unglassed. This leads one to think that Chris-Craft was pushing hard to enter the fiberglass era, if nothing more than for the sleek, polished look of fiberglass, devoid of (now old-fashioned) plank seams and visible plank fasteners, as the outer lamination of fiberglass was primarily cosmetic.

Once again, Chris-Craft's use of fiberglass (this time over conventional plank-on-frame wood construction) was only minimally successful. The Silver Arrows were very expensive to produce. They were constructed much like any other traditional plank-on-frame Chris-Craft. Once built, they were perfectly faired for their fiberglass outer lamination. Once 'glassed, they were again sanded, filled, and refaired, then prepped for their silver-blue, red, and white paint scheme. As one could imagine, this method was time and materials intensive.

As well, the Silver Arrows were very heavy. They not only carried the weight of a traditional plank-on-frame boat, but they were also burdened with the extra weight of fiberglass cloth, resin, fairing compounds, and paint. Silver Arrows tipped the scales at 2,860 lbs., several hundred pounds heavier than an equivalent plank-on-frame boat.

Perhaps this is the reason Silver Arrows were short-lived. Only in the lineup for one year, a total of 92 hulls were built. It is at least a good theory that Chris-Craft sold these boats at a loss, or certainly for minimal profit.

[edit] Specifications

• Hull no. series: SA-19-001 to SA-19-092
• No. of hulls built: 92
• Length: 18' 9"
• Beam: 6' 5"
• Draft: 20"
• Freeboard:
  • Forward 31"
  • Aft 25"
• Height: 5' 6"
• Weight: 2770-2860 lbs.
• Fuel capacity: 20 gals.
• Hull material: Spruce covered with fiberglass
• Bottom color: White
• Waterline color: Red
• Hull side color: Silver blue
• Deck color: Silver blue
• Upholstery: Tango red & white
• Engines offered
  • Chris-Craft KFL, 283;
  • Dearborn Interceptor 215
• Special notes
  • The bottom has a quarter-inch plywood inner hull