Ski Boat

From ClassicBoatWiki

Chris-Craft manufactured many models referred to as "Ski Boats." The Ski Boat model was introduced in 1959, as a variant of the popular 17-foot Sportsman. The model was conceived to compete with the popular Century Resorter, which was gaining tremendous popularity with skiers due to its open utility floor plan. As with many other Chris-Craft models, one must be careful to properly identify Ski Boats, as there were also many similar model names such as, the Custom Ski, Custom Ski Boat, Ski Boat (this model), Ski Jet, Ski Jet XK-18, and SS Ski Boat. The late 50s and early 60s Ski Boats can also be easily confused with the 1959-1960 17-foot Sportsman.

Contents 1 Overview 2 1959-1960 2.1 17-foot Ski Boat 2.1.1 Specifications 2.1.2 Standard Equipment 2.1.3 Approved Accessories for Factory Installation 2.1.4 Shipping Data 3 1961 3.1 17-foot Ski Boat 3.1.1 Specifications 4 1962 4.1 16-foot Ski Boat 4.1.1 Specifications 5 1963 5.1 17-foot Ski Boat 5.1.1 Specifications 5.1.2 Standard Equipment 5.1.2.1 All 1963 Chris-Craft Sports Boats are equipped with: 5.1.3 Approved Accessories for Factory Installation 5.1.4 Shipping Data 6 1967-1968 6.1 17-foot Ski Boat (Cavalier Division) 6.1.1 Specifications 7 1969 7.1 17-foot Ski Boat (Cavalier Division) 7.1.1 Specifications 8 1970 8.1 17-foot Ski Boat (Corsair Division) 8.1.1 Specifications 9 1980 9.1 Links

[edit] Overview

There were many iterations of the Ski Boat model over the years. The Ski Boat models spanned every method of Chris-Craft production, except for steel/aluminum and fiberglass on wood. The original Ski Boat was introduced by the Chris-Craft Division, as a mahogany plank on frame boat. The early models were traditional in appearance with brightly finished hull sides and decks, and white deck seams. As new construction methods were developed, the Ski Boat found itself at the center of more transitional styling and construction methods. Eventually the model found its way to the Cavalier Division, as a plywood sheathed boat. These boats were brightly painted in blue or red, with matching vinyl covered decks. As Chris-Craft migrated towards fiberglass boat construction, the Ski Boat transitioned as well, but first by a somewhat untypical introduction in 1969 as the Cavalier Ski Boat—made entirely of Fiberglass! Bear in mind that the Cavalier Division of Chris-Craft was synonymous with plywood boat construction, thus the identity crisis. By 1970, the Ski Boat was re-identified as the Corsair Ski Boat, now correctly positioned within the Corsair Division lineup. This seemed more appropriate given the Corsair Division specialized in fiberglass boat construction.

[edit] 1959-1960

[edit] 17-foot Ski Boat

[edit] Specifications Seating Capacity: 6 Beam 6' 7 1/2" Draft: 18 1/2" Freeboard: Forward 27" Aft: 22" Lift Ring Spacing 13' 9 3/4" Bottom: Double-planked (Philippine Mahogany outer planking) 11/16" Battens: Philippine Mahogany 1/2" x 1 1/2" Frames: Philippine Mahogany 7/8" x 2 3/4" Hull Sides: Batten-seamed Philippine Mahogany Forward, Side and Stern Decks Mahogany, stained and varnished Cockpit Floor: Painted Fuel Capacity: 20 gallons Fastenings: Brass or bronze Engine Box: Sound-insulated Engine Mounts: Rubber Exhaust System: Water-cooled Fender Rail Moulding: Stainless steel Fuel Lines: Copper tubing Hardware: Brass or bronze, chromium-plated King Plank: Bleached Mahogany, varnished Rudder Manganese bronze Shaft, propeller: Bronze—turned, ground and polished Shaft Log: Brass, self-aligning Steering: Worm-and-pinion, rod to rudder Strut, with rubber bearing: Manganese bronze

[edit] Standard Equipment Battery Bilge Pump Bow Pole, pennant Chocks Clutch Controls, manual Combination Ignition-Starter Switch Cradle, shipping Dock Lines Electrical System, 12-volt Ensign Fin Strut Fire Extinguishers Fuel-Measuring Stick *Fuel Tank with overboard vent Horn, electric Hull Drain, brass Instruments—ammeter, oil, temperature, tachometer with engine hour meter Life preservers Lifting Rings, manganese bronze—chromium-plated Navigation Lights Rudder Seat Backs and Cushions Stem Band, brass Throttle Control, aircraft type Tools Ventilating Windshield, wrap-around.

[edit] Approved Accessories for Factory Installation Anchor Anchor Line with thimble Boat Hook and Clips Clutch Controls, hydraulic Convertible Top and Side Curtains Custom Trim—vinyl floor covering, cockpit paneling, chrome stem band Fenders Ladder, metal hook-on type *Mooring Cover Paddle and Clips Ski Tow Searchlight, portable Speedometer. [edit] Shipping Data Weight: (lbs.) 1,950-2,100 Length: 17' 8" Height: (Dom.) 55 1/4" Height: (Exp.) 45 3/4"

[edit] 1961

[edit] 17-foot Ski Boat

The 1961 Ski Boat was a 17-foot mahogany, Plank on Frame boat manufactured by the Chris-Craft Division. The design of 1961 Ski Boat was pretty traditional with planked sides, and planked mahogany decks. The decks were finished in typical 50s and 60s fashion with two-tone dark mahogany planks and a blonde kingplank. The decks featured traditional white caulked seams. The hull sides sported styling details, such as a white painted "mock fin" on the upper stern hull sides, and canted chrome trim.

The interior of the 1961 Ski Boat was beautifully detailed, clearly inspired by early 60s automotive styling trends. Traditional mahogany stained and varnished ceiling planks were replaced by a "space age" metallic gold, engine turned composite panels. The dashboard repeated the engine turned detailing. The upholstery as elaborately detailed as any Chris-Craft boat in history with horizontally pleated, metallic gold seating areas, surrounded by broad white accent panels, in turn surrounded by metallic green vinyl. This created a beautiful tri-tone look, a great compliment to the deep red mahogany.

[edit] Specifications

• Hull no. series: CUB-17-001 to CUB 17-280
• Upholstery Metallic Green with White. Gold trim
• No. of hulls built: 280
• Length: 17' 0"
• Engines offered: Chris-Craft K, 283
• Beam: 6' 8"
• Draft: 19"
• Freeboard:
  • Forward: 27"
  • Aft: 22"
• Height: 4' 8"
• Weight: 1950-2100 lbs.
• Fuel capacity: 20 gals.
• Hull material: Mahogany
• Bottom color: Copper-bronze
• Waterline color: White
• Hull side color: Natural & White
• Deck color: Natural

[edit] 1962

[edit] 16-foot Ski Boat

View Page in Chris-Craft The Essential Guide

The 1962 Ski Boat was a 16-foot mahogany, Plank on Frame boat manufactured by the Chris-Craft Division. This hull predated widespread use of fiberglass by a couple of years. The design of 1962 Ski Boat could be considered a transitional design, with a fiberglass accent rail wrapping from the aft half of the hull side, around the transom to the other hull side. In addition, the decks on this model were covered in white vinyl. The liberal use of these modern materials was in sharp contrast to the all mahogany boats of prior years.

There are differing theories on why Chris-Craft chose to embellish the traditional hulls with newer materials. Some believe it was to better position the boats against their all fiberglass competitors. The addition of bright white trim elements, and deck surfaces, created the illusion, at least, that these Chris-Crafts were something new and different. Others believe the vinyl-covered decks, for example, were simply a sign of the times—an economical and durable way to finish the topsides, especially when overlaying plywood. Either way, the early 60s models, including the 1962 Ski Boat foreshadowed designs to come, as Chris-Craft prepared for fiberglass boat production.

The 1962 Ski Boat also featured a two-tone black and metallic gold interior. The rear bench seat from prior years was deleted, and the floors had a standard painted finish. the 1962 Ski Boat sported a modern, curved plexiglass windshield. Triple-C scrolled arrow embellishments on the hull sides.

[edit] Specifications

• Hull no. series: CUA-16-001 to CUA-16-250
• No. of hulls built 250
• Length: 16' 5"
• Beam: 6' 8"
• Draft: 19"
• Freeboard:
  • Forward: 28"
  • Aft: 20"
• Height: 6' 0"
• Weight: 2133-2193 lbs.
• Fuel capacity: 20 gals.
• Hull material: Mahogany
• Bottom color: Black
• Waterline color: White
• Hull side color: Natural & White
• Deck color: White vinyl
• Upholstery: Black & Gold
• Engines offered: Chris-Craft 283

[edit] 1963

[edit] 17-foot Ski Boat

The 1963 Ski Boat was very similar in design to the 1962 Ski Boat. The triple-c scrolled arrows on the hull sides were gone, as was the wrap-around fiberglass accent rail.

[edit] Specifications Length: 17' 0" Seating Capacity: 3 Beam: 6' 7 7/8" Height from waterline (clearance): 49 1/4" Draft: 18 3/4" Freeboard: Forward: 27 1/2" Aft: 20 1/8" Lifting Rings (manganese bronze), spacing: 13' 3 1/2" Bottom, double-planked: 11/16" (Philippine Mahogany outer planking) Hull Sides, batten-seamed Philippine Mahogany: 7/16" Frames, Philippine Mahogany: 7/8 x 2 3/4" Battens, Philippine Mahogany: 1/2 x 1 1/2" Fuel Capacity, gallons: 20 Cockpit Floor: Painted Forward and Aft Decks: Vinyl-covered Side Decks: Mahogany, stained and varnished Clutch Control: Manual or Hydraulic Throttle Control: Lever-type Electrical System: 12-volt Stem Band: Stainless Steel Instruments: Ammeter, Oil, Temperature, Tachometer with Engine Hour Meter Steering: Worm-and-pinion, rod to rudder

[edit] Standard Equipment Battery Bow Pole and Pennant Combination Ignition Starter Switch Dock Lines Ensign Fire Extinguisher Fuel Measuring Stick Horn, electric Life Preservers Navigation Lights Seat, No-Sag, Auto-type Shipping Cradle Ventilators Wrap-around Windshield (safety glass) [edit] All 1963 Chris-Craft Sports Boats are equipped with: Brass and Silicon Fastenings Rubber Engine Mounts Watercooled Exhaust System Copper Fuel Line Fuel Tank with Overboard Vent Chrominum-plated Hardware Brass Hull Drain Manganese Bronze Rudder Bronze, Monel or Stainless Steel Propeller Shaft—turned, ground and polished Brass Shaft Log, self-aligning Manganese Bronze Strut, with Rubber Bearing Stainless Steel Fender Rail Moulding, anodized aluminum on 16-ft. and 17-ft. models *Sound Insulated Engine Box.

[edit] Approved Accessories for Factory Installation Accessory No. Description 01-01-08 Anchor - 8# Std. Danforth with Shackle 01-11-01 Boat Hook - 5' w/Clips 08-01-00 Cover - Mooring to Sheerline w/Cleats 08-03-00 Cover - Shipping and Storage 08-07-00 Cover - Folding Top to Transom 18-04-00 Gauge - Fuel 07-12-12 Horn - C.P. Twin Spartan in Addition to Std. 17-07-01 Ladder - Hook On, Swimming, w/Stowage Clips 22-15-04 Lettering - Name, On Transom (up to 10, 4 " letters) 22-14-03 Lettering - Number, 3" Bow Registry 01-03-00 Line - Anchor, w/Thimble, 1/2" x 50', Manila 22-13-02 Mirror - Rear View, Deck Mounted 01-13-00 Paddle - 5' w/Clips 05-11-00 Propeller - Spare, 185 HP, S.S. 16-09-12 Pump - Bilge, Manual Electric, 12V 16-08-12 Pump - Bilge, Automatic Electric, 12V 11-11-00 Searchlight - Hand Portable, w/Jack 05-12-00 Shaft - Propeller, Spare, 185 HP 22-10-10 Ski Tow - Ski Tow Assembly 18-10-05 Speedometer - Airguide, 0 - 50 mph 06-01-00 Top - Folding, w/Side Curtains 20-04-12 Wiper - Windshield, Electric, 12V

[edit] Shipping Data Weight (lbs.): 2183-2243 Length: 18' 0" Height (Domestic): 5' 0" Height (Export): 3' 11"

[edit] 1967-1968

[edit] 17-foot Ski Boat (Cavalier Division)

The 17-foot Ski Boat of 1967-1968 followed, this time manufactured by Chris-Craft's Cavalier Division. Like all Cavalier Division boats, the Cavalier Ski Boat featured a plywood sheathed hull on full thickness mahogany framework. The Cavalier Ski Boat was a very sharp design, literally, with a squared, anodized aluminum framed windshield, rakish bow, and a reverse raked transom. This model had a fairly monochromatic appearance with blue or red hull sides and deck, with a matching color interior. The blue hulled boats were accented by a wide white boot stripe and a copper-bronze bottom color. The red hulled boats also featured a white boot stripe, but with a black bottom color.

As an option, the bottom could be overlaminated with fiberglass cloth for durability.

[edit] Specifications

• Hull no. series:
  • VUA-17-001 to VUA-17-070
  • VUA-17-2001 to VUA-17-2036
• No. of hulls built: 106
• Length: 17' 1"
• Beam: 6' 10"
• Draft: 18"
• Freeboard:
  • Forward: 26"
  • Aft: 21"
• Height: 5' 9"
• Weight: 2150 lbs.
• Fuel capacity: 20 gals.
• Hull material Plywood
• Bottom color: Copper-bronze, black
• Water line color: White
• Hull side color: Blue, red
• Deck color: Blue vinyl, red
• Upholstery: Regatta Peacock (1967), El Paso Crimson (1968)
• Engines offered: Chris-Craft 283

• Special notes: Fiberglass sheathing for the bottom was offered on this model.

[edit] 1969

[edit] 17-foot Ski Boat (Cavalier Division)

The first fully fiberglass ski boat was sold in 1969. It was the 17-foot Cavalier Ski Boat. 100 were built in 1969. All were red in color with red vinyl interior and red Nautolex flooring. Two engine options were available, the 210-hp 307Q and the 230-hp 327Q. It is somewhat of a mystery why this all fiberglass boat was manufactured and marketed as a product of the Cavalier Division, as the Cavalier Division focused on plywood boat construction. A logical theory is that the prior Ski Boat model was a Cavalier Division offering, so perhaps Chris-Craft marketed this new ’glass boat as such, to continue with marketing the boat within the Cavalier catalogs. While the 1969 models were essentially identical to the 1970 models, the hull number series was different, as were power options.

[edit] Specifications

• Hull no. series: KRA-17-001 to KRA-17-100
• No. of hulls built 100
• Length 17' 0"
• Beam 7' 2"
• Draft 20"
• Freeboard:
  • Forward: 23"
  • Aft: 20"
• Height: 5' 8"
• Weight: 2500 lbs.
• Fuel capacity: 25 gals.
• Hull material: Fiberglass
• Bottom color: Red
• Hull side color: Red
• Deck color: Red
• Upholstery: Red
• Engines offered: Chris-Craft 327Q, 307Q

[edit] 1970

[edit] 17-foot Ski Boat (Corsair Division)

By 1970, the all red fiberglass Cavalier Ski Boat made its way to the Corsair Division. This 1970 version of the prior year's model was essentially the same in every way, except for trimming the engine offerings to the 327Q only. 53 hulls were built in 1970 under the Corsair Division name.

[edit] Specifications

• Hull no. series: ORA-17-001 to ORA-17-053
• No. of hulls built: 53
• Length 17' 0"
• Beam: 7' 2"
• Draft: 20"
• Freeboard:
  • Forward: 23"
  • Aft: 20"
• Height: 5' 9"
• Weight: 2505 lbs.
• Fuel capacity: 25 gals.
• Hull material: Fiberglass
• Bottom color: Red
• Hull side color: Red
• Deck color: Red
• Upholstery: Red
• Engines offered: Chris-Craft 327Q

[edit] 1980

1980 170SS A LOT OF SKI BOAT

[edit] Links

Ski Boats in the Chris-Craft Antique Boat Club Online Archive

Ski Boats on TradingDock.org