Chris Craft Crowne 26 any tips?

Hi, we had one, purchased in summer 04 and sold a couple of years later. Great boat, quality finish all round, Volvo 5 litre EFi V8 with duo prop. Only time we had a problem was when the kill switch failed. Found crawling in and out of the aft berth a lttle tight, but then I could do with loosing a few stone!
we sold to a guy on the IOW and coincidentaly saw him on Sunday between Wooton and Osbourne towing a donut
Mark
 
My '96 Chris-Craft had serious gel coat problems. Do get a professional survey. QC was very erratic for Chris-Craft in that era.

Kelly Cook
 
The cracks were limited to where you would expect them to appear. But the print-thru of the cloth covered a considerable area. Of course at a dealership, you are limited to seeing the cosmetic issues. But some of the new C-C boats at my dealer, at that time, were rather sad. And there were also owners deliriously happy with their C-C. Luck of the draw.

Kelly
 
I agree with KCook. Chris Craft were going thruogh bad times during that era and after doing some research I found that the grp layup being used at the time was very thin compared to other similar builders. I looked at a 26 Crowne about for years ago near Chertsey but pulled out of a deal when I found that the previous owner's survey revealed evidence of osmosis in the hull. That boat is still for sale. I seem to recall that Chris Craft were sold after going bust so spare parts could be an issue. I would check with a dealer such as Bates Wharf to see what is available.
I also agree that the opening to the mid cabin is very tight and probably only suitable for kids.

I would be very careful if considering a purchase.

regards
Dave
 
I purchased one of these from the US in 2003 and it was a very good starter boat. Quick with the VP 5.7l engine and a nice deepish V hull (21 degrees from memory) which meant it handled a bit of rough.

The internal layout is quite strange as the heads in mid ships to the right of the companion way. This means the aft berth is a crawl down a narrow ish passage and if you are clostrophobic can feel quite crampt. you will be sleeping in here, because the V berth is suitable only for kids. Admittidly I am over 6ft and my wife is a good 5'10 but there is no way either of us would ahve got a good nights sleep.

They were quite rare over here new, so just check out if the one you are looking at is a uk supplied boat or a second hand us import. no real problem with the import (mine was one) so long as the the CE certification has been completed and the vessel is carrying a revised UK HIN and CE plate.

I know of a couple for sale as when i owned the boat i was in touch with a few owners to share knowlege etc. If you fancy telling me the name of the one you are looking at I will see if I know/knew it (you never know, it might even be mine!!!!)

Any questions I can help with let me know. Other faults or weak spots are limited to the sliding helm seat uses ali runners so these corrode and jam and the windows in the hull can leak, though this is an easy fix. The good news is the coloured hull stripes (either two shades of blue or red) are actually gelled into the hull, so if they are a bit faded a decent polish brings them back like new.
 
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