I found the new Chris-Craft Launch 28 GT a sportier, more versatile boat than its Launch series fleet mates.

Hull No. 1 was sterndrive-powered by a Volva Penta 380 CE engine, sporting an electrically retractable hardtop that folds down to the windshield — a new feature. I tested Hull No. 2, a topless version powered by a 350 hp Yamaha outboard. This boat planed in seconds, with no bow rise, and cruised comfortably at 27 mph.

Both models boast varnished mahogany gleaming from the steering wheel, helm and gunwales, contrasting the deep-blue metallic paint. Teak accents on the bow, footrests and swim platform complement snap-in woven sea-grass mats underfoot (a teak sole is optional). The leather-trimmed steering wheel accents a neat dash with a Chris-Craft branded gauge, push-button controls and a 12-inch Garmin navigation screen with CZone digital switching. The perforated stainless-steel trim highlights air vents, controls, the windlass/anchor latch and cleats, adding lots of shine and sparkle.

The buttery almond upholstery — a cushioned and coated vinyl — sports a new “wave” stitching, departing from the diamond pattern. Rounded seats and sun lounges in the open bow and aft deck add softness to the sleek traditional hull. The aft sun pad is a special feature; its backrest slides forward to lengthen the lounge, or back to create an aft forward-facing bench. Helm seats boast bolsters.

The robust dive door lifts and swings inboard, while the teak floor insert opens to reveal the swim ladder, with two others on the bow and swim platform, making water access three-way easy. Rods and skis can be stowed in-sole, while fenders or scuba tanks are stored in deep compartments to port of the aft sun lounge. More hinged stowage compartments are tucked behind bow lounges. Higher freeboard adds safety and enhances the flared bow’s dry ride.

A portable potty under the port cockpit is convenient, and a drawer refrigerator is behind the port cockpit seat. An additional refrigerator, sink and grill can replace the starboard corner seating behind the captain’s seat. Everything aboard screams luxury.

High Points

• Italian-designed Chris-Craft blends luxury materials for functional style.
• Higher freeboard accommodates walk-around room, a dive door, beach anchoring and watersports.
• Sliding aft sun-pad backrest adds seating and lounging versatility.

Low Points

• Woven sea-grass deck lining looks green, adding barefoot comfort, but must be unsnapped and rolled to access the in-sole ski and rod stowage. Where to stow those water toys?
• Flip-up portable potty accommodates Mom, but she may not appreciate the lack of space and comfort.

Toughest Competitor
The Cobalt 25SC (about $114,000 with a Mercury Verado 350) delivers similar features (the same 8-foot-6-inch beam and seating for 13). If you want to turn heads, check out the Riva Isleo 27 — for about $300,000. Capeesh?

Price (base): $184,990 (sterndrive); $189,950 (outboard)

Available Power: Sterndrive or Outboard

How We Tested
Engine: Yamaha F350 Prop: 14.5″ x 19″ 3-blade stainless steel Gear Ratio: 1.73:1 Fuel Load: 40 gal. Water Load: 0 gal. Crew Weight: 1,050 lb.

More Information
Chris-Craft – Sarasota, Florida; 941-351-4900; chriscraft.com

The post Chris-Craft Launch 28 GT Boat Test appeared first on Boating Mag.

When Chris-Craft first introduced its Catalina line, it proved ahead of the trend of converting center consoles from utilitarian fishing machines into ­luxurious and seaworthy dayboats. By protecting the helm console behind a fully enclosed glass windshield it calls a pilothouse, Chris-Craft furthers the center console evolution.

Chris-Craft is ­certainly not the first builder to do this — Everglades Boats immediately springs to mind — but it did an ­excellent job of incorporating the windshield and hardtop into the Catalina’s overall design so that the whole boat maintains a distinctive style. You know the look — a rising sheer line, aft tumblehome, ­richly colored hull sides with a boot stripe, and as much teak as your budget can stand. The 30 Pilothouse turns heads, and its quality construction ensures it will do so for years to come.

Having tested the boat in Florida, the first thing I appreciated about the ­Pilothouse helm was the air conditioning that manufactured a cool breeze as I idled the boat out of the marina, a task made easier with the Mercury joystick control. The inset multifunction displays at the helm proved easy to read and, from a standing position, I enjoyed good ­visibility through the tempered glass. While the 21-degree transom deadrise isn’t as sharp as the ­designs on comparable center console hulls I’ve tested, the 30 ­Pilothouse proved seaworthy in handling a tight bay chop, as well as several manufactured rollers. With the optional twin Mercury 350 ­Verados, I pushed this boat to a 56 mph top-end speed. At a 30 mph cruising speed, the boat handled lock-to-lock turns with aplomb. Thanks to ­Mercury’s Active Trim, the boat always kept an excellent attitude.

Chris-Craft rates the boat for a crew of 12, and ­every one of them will enjoy a comfortable seat thanks to the foldout benches in the main cockpit, the sun lounge in front of the console, and the wraparound cushioned bow seating. A teak table deploys behind the leaning post for entertainment ­purposes.

High Points
* Fully enclosed windshield protects the helm from wind and spray.
* Fold-down benches in the cockpit provide plenty of comfortable seating.
* Starboard-side dive door offers water access away from the engines.

Low Points
* Fishing aboard this boat would be a secondary pursuit.
* Fuel tank has a smaller capacity than some comparable models.

Toughest Competitor
The Everglades 295 ($273,956 with twin 300s) is a slightly smaller pilothouse center console packed with more fishy features.

Price: $261,220 (base with twin Mercury 350 Verados)

Available Power: Outboard

How We Tested
Engine: Twin 350 hp Mercury 350 Verado four-stroke outboards
Props: 15 1/4″ x 24″ 4-blade stainless steel
Gear Ratio: 1.85:1
Fuel Load: 50 gal.
Water on Board: 0 gal.
Crew Weight: 380 lb.

More Information
Chris-Craft – Sarasota, Florida; 941-351-4900; chriscraft.com

The post Chris-Craft Catalina 30 Pilothouse appeared first on Boating Mag.

Especially if she’s a fixer-upper you find in a barn.

I got my fill of floating eye-candy this summer at the 42nd Annual Meeting of the

Antique & Classic Boat Society (ACBS), held at Reefpoint Marina in Racine, Wis., where there were about 120 boats in the water. The ACBS has about 7,000 members in 54 chapters, most scattered across the USA and Canada, “dedicated to the preservation and restoration of historic, antique and classic boats.”

My guide for the weekend was Dave Bortner, founder of Freedom Boat Service in Mound, Minn., a far-western suburb of Minneapolis on Lake Minnetonka, one of the classic-boat epicenters of the Midwest. Freedom Boat Service specializes in the restoration, maintenance and sale of Chris-Craft, Century, Gar Wood, Riva, Hacker and Lyman wood boats – how’s that for a chorus line of varnished beauty. Dave explained the vintage-boat hobby – for example, if it was built in 1942 or earlier it’s an antique; post-war is a classic – and dispelled a few myths about owning a vintage boat.

“It’s easy to get into a vintage boat at a reasonable price if you pick the right boat,” said Bortner, gesturing to an 18-foot 1940 Chris-Craft Sportsman he has brought down for the show. “It’s a pretty boat that went into production in 1937. Chris-Craft built hundreds of them in 1940 and brought the model back after the war. It was intended to be a family fun boat, and it’s still a boat you can do a lot with because it has a big, open cockpit.”

The owner was hoping to sell this example for $40,000. How much pontoon boat can you buy for that price? And Bortner says a serviceable example of the Sportsman (sea-worthy but not meticulously restored) can be had for about $20,000. The Sportsman is pretty enough to attract attention at the gas dock, with caulked mahogany on the aft and fore decks, a polished windshield frame and spotlight, and polished wood inwales. It seats three-across forward with a bench seat aft. The motorbox covers a reliable a 95-hp, Chris-Craft Marine Model K six-cylinder engine. This is a vintage runabout the entire family could enjoy every day.

But here’s the rub. Bortner says it cost $100,000 to restore this $40,000 boat.

“When a potential client comes to us with a restorable boat I always remind them there are no free puppies,” said Bortner. As a rule of thumb, an average vintage boat restoration will cost twice the ultimate value of the boat, which is why Bortner has his three-point “sales prevention talk” with those who bring him a real project.

1 Do you have an emotional attachment to the boat? If this was your grandfather’s boat; if you learned to ski behind this boat; if your father courted your mother in this boat, that emotional value will make the investment in restoration worthwhile. If not, Bortner advises selling the boat as-is and using that cash as a down payment on a boat that has already been restored. You will be time and money ahead.

2 You love this boat and it is so rare that it will be very hard to find a restored example.

“For example, a Chris-Craft Deluxe Runabout Barrelback is a boat that gets many people excited. Chris built many hundreds of the 17-foot model, several hundred of the 19-foot model, but only 31 examples of the triple-cockpit 23-footer,” said Bortner, “and of those perhaps 20 are in service today. So if you found a 23 in a barn its rarity makes it a desirable candidate for restoration. The restored example we have at the show is priced at $225,000.”

3 You are a person who simply loves a project.

“Some of our clients just enjoy the restoration process,” said Bortner. “We send updates with digital photos every two weeks. Some clients want to get involved in the project, hunting down parts, for example. Others just watch. And when it’s done so is the fun for them. They don’t care so much about the finished boat. They need another project.”

ACBS members I spoke to at the show offered this additional advice for those curious about owning a vintage boat:

Attend a regional ACBS show to meet collectors from your area and to gauge the scope of the hobby. Each of the 57 regions tries to have an annual event. Wander the docks and do not hesitate to engage an owner with questions about their boat. There is a story behind every boat and I found that the owners love to share that information. It’s as easy as asking, “Tell me about your boat.” Then be ready to chat for 30 minutes. Local ACBS members will be the foundation of your vintage-boat network.

If you don’t live near an ACBS event, check out the society website, which has links to local chapters and related organizations, reports on shows and events … and a section with boats for sale!

Consider starting with an outboard-powered boat. Lap-strake and fiberglass runabouts from the boom-years of the mid-1950s often have some attractive brightwork and are fun to own. Solid examples go for less than $5,000. You can pick up a fettled period-correct Mercury or OMC outboard for less than $1,500, and perhaps spend another $1,000 on a new interior. This boat will be easy to trailer and to store.

The budget for maintenance is not as steep as I imagined. Bortner tells clients to figure spending 10 percent of the boat’s purchase price on maintenance annually. If the boat is stored on a covered lift, he says the varnished finish will last indefinitely.

A vintage boat is only as good as its bottom, and the bottom is frequently not good even when the boat looks great above the waterline. Before buying a wood classic or antique boat have the bottom inspected by an expert. Repairs are often extensive and expensive.

The future is fiberglass. The ACBS only started judging fiberglass boats a few years ago, but the organization realizes that the next generation of members may be too far removed from the era of vintage wooden boats to find much attraction there. Many of the early fiberglass boats from the late 1950s had bright wood on the gunwales and transom and will still draw a crowd at the gas station. There’s also growing interest in 1970s speedboats like the Chris-Craft XK19, Century runabouts, the Glastron GT 150 (the “Live and Let Die” jump boat) and any Glastron Carlson, metal-flake HydraStream speedsters and the early Donzi 16 and 18 runabouts.

Finally, I got this unsolicited feedback from more than one boat owner at the ACBS show: Before you let a vintage boat become your new obsession, make sure your spouse is on board with the time and money commitment. An old boat can be a compelling mistress.

The post The Value of Classic Wooden Boats appeared first on Boating Mag.

We Say: The Calypso 30 creates a stunning profile as it cuts across the water, but if you happen to be behind the helm when the seas kick up, you’ll soon discover it possesses a rugged build and able ride suitable for offshore duty.

The Calypso 30 is a dual console in the style most associated with fishing boats, but with its plush amenities, you’ll probably buy it to use as a day boat. The spacious cockpit has flip-down seating along the transom and both gunwales to convert it to a conversation pit. An entertainment center behind the helm can include a sink, refrigerator and grill. There’s also a boarding/dive door built into the starboard gunwale. The open bow array provides plenty more seating for an entirely separate gathering to take place. Add filler cushions when it’s time to tan or add the cockpit table when it’s time to dine.

The helm console hides a head underneath for passengers in need. The helm itself is set up in ergonomic fashion, with easy access to all the gauges and electronics. The twin helm seats feature independent flip-up bolsters.

Every Chris-Craft review notes the broken sheer line and aft tumblehome, as they are a part of this company’s DNA. Throw in the teak, stainless-steel fittings and the boot stripe, and it’s easy to recognize one from far away. And with the 220-gallon fuel tank and seakindly hull, you’ll be able to run as far away as you want to.

Who’d Want One: Boaters looking for an opulent day boat with outboard power.

Another Choice: The Sea Ray SLX 310 OB ($234,004 with twin Mercury 300 Verados) is a well-appointed day boat with outboard power.

Bottom Line: $241,670 (with test power); chriscraft.com

How We Tested
Engines: Twin Yamaha F300s
Drive/Props: Outboard/151/4″ x 18″ 3-blade Saltwater Series II stainless steel
Gear Ratio: 1.75:1
Fuel Load: 165 gal.
Crew Weight: 1,000 lb.

The post Chris-Craft Calypso 30 appeared first on Boating Mag.

The dual-console format has increased in popularity among coastal boaters thanks to its ability to provide a crowd-friendly layout while maintaining fishability. In a world where people expect their boats to do more than one thing well, it’s an ideal crossover vehicle. Chris-Craft takes the concept and runs with it in the form of its elegant Calypso 26.

With the broken sheer line and aft tumblehome, rich gelcoat (or paint job) and teak accents, Chris-Craft knows how to create a distinctive look that screams instant classic. The Calypso 26 combines that with the dual console’s crowd-pleasing layout. Starting at the bow, the boat features a spacious lounge with forward-facing backrests against the consoles. Each side features sturdy flip-up armrests for passengers looking to kick back. Filler cushions can be added to create a full tanning bed. These details, along with the stylish curved windshield with a walk-through door, are things you can’t get on typical fishing-centric center consoles.

Chris-Craft put a lot of thought into maximizing seating in the main cockpit without compromising space. Instead of building a fold-down bench on the transom, Chris-Craft went with a fixed aft bench and deployed fold-down jump seats in both consoles — separate twins to port and a love seat to starboard. Deploy them all for a wraparound conversation pit, bolstered by the entertainment center behind the helm to starboard. Fold them all away for more usable space, should you want to fish, or just keep the aft cockpit open for flow or to hold a tow toy.

The Calypso 26 has performance chops too. The deep-V hull tapers to 21 degrees of deadrise at the transom, so it handles a bay chop and small coastal swells without issue. Handling and cornering proved superb in our testing; we carved graceful hard-over turns at speed with no blowout, and when trimmed out at wide-open throttle, we felt no evidence of squirrelly behavior or instability. Our test model was equipped with twin Yamaha F200 outboards that pushed the boat north of 52 mph, despite a full crew and the speed-inhibiting T-top. You’ll want that top on hot days though, especially with the pull-out shade that extends over the cockpit.

Comparable Model: Scout 275 Dorado

The post Chris-Craft Calypso 26 appeared first on Boating Mag.

What do you want to do with your boat this weekend? Drive around and drop anchor with a big crew aboard? Cruise to the next port along the coast and make a weekend out of it? Run outside the inlet? Whatever it may be, the new Chris-Craft Launch 36 has got you covered.

Technically, the Launch 36 belongs in the big “day boat” category that has grown in popularity as it more closely matches how people use their boats. It includes competitors such as the Sea Ray 350 SLX ($269,943 with twin 380 hp MerCruiser Bravo Three sterndrives) and the Formula 350 CBR ($387,970 with twin 430 hp Volvo Penta Duoprop sterndrives). But while those boats are essentially bowriders on steroids, the Launch 36 doesn’t quite fit the category. For one, rather than the traditional dual-console arrangement with the helm at the starboard console, the Launch 36’s deck has more of a walkaround style, with the helm part of a center-console with the steering wheel offset to starboard. Also, it has a full cabin belowdecks, as well as a midship berth. At first glance you’d be tempted to compare it to the closed-bow array of its sister ship in the fleet, the Corsair 36, but it’s not that either. Like a walkaround, it has side decks leading forward, but instead of steps up to a raised bow, it has steps down to a lounge and seating area similar to a bowrider’s. In a nod to European styling there is a massive sun pad forward of the windshield with forward-facing recliners and stylish teak grab rails. Forward of that there’s a bench along the bow complete with cup holders, stainless-steel grab rails and twin stereo speakers for entertainment. It’s a great use of space that ensures plenty of options for enjoying a day on the water abovedecks.

Click here for more information about the award-winning Chris-Craft Launch 36!

Another important social gathering point sits behind the helm. Behind the triple-wide helm seat, which has separate backrests and flip-up bolsters for each seat, Chris-Craft built in an entertainment center adorned with both an ice maker and a refrigerator, plus a built-in microwave. The countertop features a built-in sink and both an electric stovetop and a grill. All is hidden underneath a hatch that opens on twin gas-assisted struts and latching teak doors. This arrangement makes it easy to stay in the social mix while providing food and drink for the crew, some of whom may be lounging on the aft U-shaped lounge. The setup lends itself to conversation, and the cockpit table insert converts it to a dinette. The seating section along the transom lifts on two heavy-duty rams to reveal underseat storage that is ideal for swallowing up fenders. A centerline walk-through, protected by a stainless-steel boarding gate, leads to the teak-laden swim platform. A stainless-steel rail keeps the platform safe from dockside dings and doubles as a handhold. A three-step, stainless-steel swim ladder hides underneath, and after a swim there’s a hot- and cold-water transom shower to rinse off the sea salt.

For overnighting purposes, a slider to port of the helm reveals steps down into the main cabin. Natural light comes from two vented windows built into the console in front of the helm, between the windshield and the tops of the forward-facing backrests. Once below deck, note the private head to starboard. See how it lacks a stand-up shower? That’s because Chris-Craft built a separate shower across the hall, allowing one passenger to shower while another can use the head. To port of that there’s another door, which opens to reveal the nautical equivalent of a walk-in closet — no small feat for a 36-foot boat. The midcabin can be outfitted with twin beds or a full bed. The main cabin can be set up with a dinette with a custom wood dining table should the crew want to get out of the sun for a bit. It converts to a full berth. Because of the deck plan above, the main cabin doesn’t have the headroom you’d find aboard a traditional cruiser, but it’s still plenty comfortable. And since the Launch 36 is primarily intended as a day boat, consider the space below a surprise bonus.

On the water, the Launch 36 certainly performs more like a bowrider than a cruiser, with very nimble handling, zippy midrange acceleration and a top speed of 51 mph. The hull took on a bay chop, large boat wakes and manufactured confused seas without pounding, spraying or showing any notice of shuddering in the hull and deck. From our test location in Palm Beach, Florida, I could envision running this boat through the Gulf Stream to Bimini on a reasonable day. We attained our performance data while running twin 430 hp Volvo Penta sterndrives, but the boat can be equipped with MerCruisers or even Yamaha or Mercury four-stroke outboards. Throwing triple Yamaha F300s or twin F350s, or triple Mercury 300 Verados, further separates the Launch 36 from the bowrider “day boat” category and puts it in competition with decked out walkarounds such as the Intrepid 375 (around $350,000 with triple Yamaha F300s) or even center-consoles like the Boston Whaler 350 Outrage ($352,134 with triple 300 hp Mercury Verados).

So, throw in the teak package to match the signature Chris-Craft gelcoat and transom tumblehome, and you’ve got a boat that’s either a leader in its category or just beyond categorization. However you look at it, it’s win-win.

The post Tested! Chris-Craft Launch 36 – our 2014 Boat of the Year appeared first on Boating Mag.

Chris-Craft Carina 21

Chris-Craft Carina 21

Chris-Craft Carina 21

Chris-Craft Carina 21

Chris-Craft Carina 21

Chris-Craft Carina 21

Chris-Craft Carina 21

Chris-Craft Carina 21

Chris-Craft Carina 21

Chris-Craft Carina 21

Chris-Craft Carina 21

Chris-Craft Carina 21

Chris-Craft Carina 21

Chris-Craft Carina 21

Chris-Craft Carina 21

Chris-Craft Carina 21

Chris-Craft Carina 21

Chris-Craft Carina 21

Chris-Craft Carina 21

Chris-Craft Carina 21

Chris-Craft Carina 21

Chris-Craft Carina 21

Chris-Craft Carina 21

Chris-Craft Carina 21

Chris-Craft Carina 21

We Say: Here is a small boat that’s big on opulence but presented in as elegant a way as possible. The Chris-Craft Carina 21 (which you, our readers, helped name on Facebook) is a boat that combines the best of modern construction with the classic appeal of yesteryear. The vertical bow (you could also call it a plumb bow) evokes memories of old Chris-Crafts and works in concert with the tumblehome that rounds out the transom.

Our tester featured the optional Heritage Package, which means it was decked out with teak sole, deck rails and gunwale accents. The driver and passenger seats feature polished 316L stainless-steel frames that match the teak in beauty. So does the craftsmanship underneath. A peek into the engine compartment revealed well-organized wiring supported in chafeproof looming and connected with waterproof Deutsch electrical connectors. The fixtures are through-bolted and mounted on a backing plate.

With 18 degrees of deadrise at the transom, this long, narrow boat handles bay chop better than most bowriders, and it handled extremely well during hard-over turns at 30 mph. With three adult men on board, we still climbed onto plane in 4.8 seconds, hit 30 mph in 11 seconds and reached a top speed of nearly 52 mph.

Who’d Want One: Small-boat lovers with refined tastes and supercharged checkbooks.

Another Choice: The Cobalt R3 ($80,827 with a MerCruiser 350 Mag) is longer and beamier.

Bottom Line: $79,307 with test power; chriscraft.com

The post Chris-Craft Carina 21 appeared first on Boating Mag.

At first glance this video seems like one of those overly-hyperbolized truck commercials where a pickup rescues the space shuttle or something. But this actually happened in England. When a large cruising yacht got stuck under the Chertsey Bridge on the Thames River near Surrey. When a tug boat couldn’t get it unstuck, the owners of a Chris-Craft Corsair 28 gave it a shot. Watch the results.

CHECK OUT OUR REVIEW OF THE CHRIS-CRAFT CORSAIR 28.

**

**

SUGGESTED READING:

CHRIS-CRAFT CORSAIR 36

TOW-MANSHIP

TOUGHEST BOATS IN THE WORLD

The post Chris-Craft Touts Its Towing Power appeared first on Boating Mag.

Chris-Craft Launch 32

Chris-Craft Launch 32

Chris-Craft Launch 32

Chris-Craft Launch 32

Chris-Craft Launch 32

Chris-Craft Launch 32

Chris-Craft Launch 32

Chris-Craft Launch 32

Chris-Craft Launch 32

Chris-Craft Launch 32

Chris-Craft Launch 32

Chris-Craft Launch 32

Chris-Craft Launch 32

Chris-Craft Launch 32

Chris-Craft Launch 32

Chris-Craft Launch 32

Chris-Craft Launch 32

Chris-Craft Launch 32

Chris-Craft Launch 32

Chris-Craft Launch 32

Chris-Craft Launch 32

Chris-Craft Launch 32

Chris-Craft Launch 32

Chris-Craft Launch 32

Chris-Craft Launch 32

Chris-Craft Launch 32

For decades Chris-Craft was the most recognized, if not the most celebrated, brand name in recreational boating. Until, after years of mismanagement, it wasn’t. Somewhere along the way, past builders who owned the brand lost touch with its heritage — producing bland bleach-bottle boats related to their predecessors in name only. Then, in 2001, a company called Stellican purchased Chris-Craft from the wreckage of OMC and again started building boats of distinction. More than a decade later, the new Launch 32 shows that today’s Chris-Crafts are as singular as the classics of yesteryear, and that the brand’s restoration is complete.

The Launch 32 is a beautifully appointed “day boat,” the term now bandied about to describe this class of oversize runabouts. A few things about it let everyone know it’s a Chris-Craft: the unique gelcoat coloring options and boot stripe, the tumblehome that shapes the stern, the bow flare, the teak trim (opt for the Heritage package for an additional $23,580 and the boat will be ensconced in teak), and even the Chris-Craft burgee.

Big day boats are de rigueur right now, since they are more suited to the typical boater’s needs than traditional cabin cruisers. Few boatbuilders craft large bowriders of Chris-Craft’s caliber. Cobalt builds a larger 336, with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $236,411 with twin Volvo Penta 320s. The 336 offers a different cockpit layout, plus an optional hardtop and room to sit up inside its day room in the starboard console. Another choice is Regal’s new 3200 (no price set as of press time), which eschews the day room for a more wide-open cockpit and tops 50 mph with twin 300 hp Volvo Penta engines. That said, the Chris-Craft Launch 32 is the only one that comes standard with teak accents.

Start with the teak that adorns the anchor-locker hatch. The hatch itself is resin-infused and finished on both sides. Our tester had the optional windlass that featured an anchor stop and offered great access to the rode. Windlass or no, instead of there being a pulpit, an anchor chute under the bow helps preserve the pretty sight lines and teak trim. Hiding things is a theme that Chris-Craft carries throughout the boat, in creative ways I’ll address.

The cushions in the bow cockpit are in plain sight, but you might not notice how the bolster is constructed at a slight angle so that wherever you sit you’ll be comfortably reclined. The forward facing backrests abutting the consoles have a more obvious incline.

The starboard console hides a small day room that offers some privacy for changing or napping or to give the kids a break from the sun. At 6 feet 1 inch long, it’s lengthy enough for overnight use in a pinch, but with no portlight and only three feet of headroom, it’s too claustrophobic for extended use.

The port console houses the head, which features a porcelain toilet with an electric flush and a holding tank system. It features nearly four feet of headroom, so you can sit up while conducting business, but adding a grab rail would make visiting the throne a more secure endeavor.

The main cockpit is U-shaped and houses ample stowage underneath. Lift up the rear-facing recliner cushion to the port side to reveal space to stow fenders. Underneath that is a concealed slide-out refrigerator. Under the starboard recliner is matching dedicated fender stowage.

One of the coolest features is the folding teak cockpit table that stows under the engine hatch. It deploys on an L-shape stainless-steel bracket on a five-knuckle hinge that locks it securely in place even in rough seas. It’s a really cool system and a step above traditional pedestal tables.

The Bimini top also hides from view when not in use, retracting niftily under the sunpad so it is not visible. This also eliminates the age-old problem of the retracted Bimini rattling against the gunwale topsides.

What else can’t you see? Unless you look closely you won’t notice the orderly wiring you can see at certain access points, how it is loomed where necessary and connected with waterproof Deutsch connectors. Nor will you see the beefy stainless-steel pull-up cleats on the transom — not until you need them to cross-tie in a slip. When you’re not swimming off the swim platform, the stainless-steel grab handle recesses into the teak decking so you won’t trip over it handling dock lines.

What you will see, when you take a seat at the double-wide captain’s chair at the helm, is a glare-free dash with space to flush-mount the optional Garmin 5208. You’ll also see the boat hop onto plane in under five seconds as you hammer the throttle, without losing sight of the horizon as on some squattier 30-footers. You’ll also keep your sight lines as you turn the wheel hard over at 30 mph and keep a dry windshield slashing through bay chop at 50 mph. For docking, the sterndrive joystick is a great option.

While we’ve covered some of what you can and can’t see, don’t forget what everyone else sees as you fly by: that you’re undeniably at the helm of a Chris-Craft.

Comparable models: Cobalt 336, Regal 3200

The post Chris-Craft Launch 32 appeared first on Boating Mag.

The best thing Chris-Craft did was re-establish its classic brand identity, so anyone walking by the marina will immediately recognize it as such. Like all the new Chris-Craft models, the Corsair 36 flaunts its distinct aft tumblehome in concert with its eye-catching bow flare. The teak Heritage Package on our test boat — which includes the teak swim platform, cockpit sole, bow lounge and trim — only further enhanced its curb appeal. What’s not teak is 316-liter grade stainless steel, from the deck plates to the light cover to the fuel-fill cover to the through-hull fittings to the gate for the centerline walk-through to the swim platform.

For evidence of a quality build, take a look at the hatches on board. They’re all resin-infused for quality control and to keep weight down, and are smooth on both sides for a tidy appearance. Stainless-steel gas-assisted struts hold them open. When I stuck my head in the anchor locker — and later in the spotless engine compartment — I got a good look at the boat’s wiring: It meets ABYC standards and is loomed in plastic tubing. Note the waterproof Deutsch connectors.

Chris-Craft builds a noteworthy boat in places you can’t see too. The gelcoat is vinylester, which better resists fading and osmotic blistering. The stringer system is bonded to the hull with Weld-On, an adhesive that joins the two parts as if they were one piece. The hull is bolted to the deck and the rub rail is reinforced with a wooden backing strip, making this boat fit for offshore duty. Back on deck, you’ll note that the beefy stainless-steel cleats come engraved with the Chris-Craft logo. You’ll appreciate that they’re bolted into a half-inch-thick aluminum backing plate, which distributes the load, preventing gelcoat crazing and cracking and — ultimately — part failure.

Once we had room to lower the throttle and rev up the twin 430 hp MerCruiser engines, we could bring this 16,000-pound boat onto plane without much squat or delay — the bow started to fall in about five seconds. We hit 30 mph in about 13 seconds and topped out at 44 mph. All nice numbers for a boat with this displacement. The Formula 370 Super Sport, which retails for $507,220 with the same test power as the Corsair 36, is a more performance-oriented day cruiser, with a lighter 15,100-pound listed dry weight, a narrower 10-foot-9-inch beam and a twin-stepped hull. In a past test of the 370 Super Sport with twin 420 hp Volvos, it broke the 60 mph barrier, giving it a double-digit speed edge over the Corsair 36. That said, the Chris-Craft has the more interesting cockpit layout.

I’m a big fan of the U-shape cockpit seating that wraps around the Corsair 36’s transom. It makes for a great conversation pit, especially with the teak table deployed. The seats slide up and out to reveal finished fiberglass stowage bins with rubberized mats to keep gear from knocking around. I also love the rear-facing recliners on either end, allowing passengers to kick back and watch the wake. The standard refrigerator and wet bar are smartly positioned between the cockpit and the seats at either console, with space for an optional ice maker ($2,000) or second fridge ($1,761). Kudos too for making the passenger seating at the port console forward-facing and for making it double-wide with a flip-up bolster, just like the helm seat. It gives the forward cockpit area a more uniform look and allows the co-pilots to see what the captain sees. I did not love the access to the bow deck, specifically the windshield walk-through panel, which I found awkward to handle.

Belowdecks, the galley to port features a solid-surface counter with fiddled rails to keep everything off the floor — our tester had the optional maple and cherry floor. The cherry veneer cabinetry has positron latches. Forward, the elevated dinette converts to a V-berth; access to the optional ($17,000) bow thruster is underneath — not a bad option for those who are timid in the docking department, or who view it as a peace-of-mind investment for their half-million-dollar baby.

A handcrafted cherry door leads to the well-appointed head. I liked the acrylic shower door that separates the shower from the rest of the head.

Most owners will probably view this boat as a luxury day boat, but those wanting to overnight will find rest in the aft cabin, which has a double berth, a cedar hanging locker and a bench. The single port doesn’t allow much natural light. Everywhere else, though, the Corsair 36 shines so brightly that no one passing by will miss it.

Comparable model: Formula 370 Super Sport

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