Customer Reviews

Chris-Craft: The Essential Guide

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought a 1963 Chris Craft Corsair and wanted to find what model the boat was. This book had my boat and also the over 700 other models produced from the beggining to the late 1970's. I was very impressed with the detail of each listing, including how many hulls built and a photo of each model.This work is a detailed and almost astounding reference work for Chris Craft and antique boat enthusiasts and will not disappoint.

This is a wonderful must-have for the Chris Craft enthusiast. Mr Conrad has contributed a great asset!

I have a well worn copy in my restoration shop for reviewing those exacting details and assisting customers determine 1) what boat they actually have and 2) how it was originally equipped. there is one page per boat, with one black/white exterior photo for each (and a few "photo not available"). details include length/model name, years built, quantity built, hull number ranges (by year), paint and upholstery colors, hull construction (ex: mahogany plank, plywood), engines offered, beam, weight, and more. you won't find interior photos and details of accessories.

the greatest feature for me is the hull number cross-reference index: look up the length, then find the hull number series to determine on which page the boat is detailed.

combine with the restoration books by trefethen (a great read!) and danenberg for a successful project.

This book contains information on every Chris Craft built. whith a picture and model info. It does not provide in depth information just a page of specs on each boat. Overall a great reference guide to early Chris Crafts.

Very few missing pictures, most are original promotion pics, some artists renderings. Very complete data, when available. A must have for buying from classifieds or ID your finds in the boatyards. I found my 1965 Challenger 36' in it. It is very popular at the marina too, every one wants to look at it to find their first Chris Craft. Does not cover the modern line of vessels.

Book was OK for a referance type for the early years of chris craft. just pictures and data on each boat. No details or informatived storys on anything. But it is very interesting and can settle alot of discussions.

Very well written book with lots of pictures and information. A "good place to start" type book. I recommend.

I was hoping there would of been some color pictures to go along with text. My husband was looking for more detail on certain things but it didn't have any.

This is a very good book for someone who wants to look up information on most any Chris Craft boat. It is unfortunate that the pictures are black and white and not in color. It is also somewhat disjointed in the layout. It goes from years to types of boats to years and I feel would be better representated if it went by year.

Thanks,

Richard

"Chris Craft, The Essential Guide" consists of single page descriptions of each Chris Craft model from the 1920s through the 1970s. Each page features a photo plus basic specifications (Hull Numbers, Number Built, Length, Beam, Draft, Height, Weight, Fuel Capacity, Fresh Water Capacity, Hull Material, Colors, Upholstery, & Engines Offered). I wish that there had been some further elaboration on some of these parameters. For instance, is the height measured from the waterline to the top of the light mast, which is the relevant parameter for navigating under a bridge, or is the height measured from the keel to the top of the deck house, which is the relevant parameter for trailering the boat on a highway where the disassembly of a light mast might be acceptable. Comparing the dimensions to the information on old sales brochures, my impression is that the height is not measured in a consistent manner. One other gripe is that the 315 Commander is not included. The first boat of that model may have appeared shortly after the 1977 cutoff date for the models that are described. These gripes are minor. I have found the book very useful and I consult it frequently.

This appears to be a comprehensive guide to all boats manufactured by Chris Craft, however it did not provide the history or details that I was looking for. Simply provides a one page sheet for each craft detailing basic specifications.