Small Craft
Late 19th & Early 20th Century British Yachting
My Home Afloat
I now live onboard a 36 foot 1967 Chris Craft Crusader at our local public marina. She can, in theory, sleep six (though four is more realistic). For my purposes she'll accommodate two: me, and my daughter when she is with me. As such, she has plenty of space but is small enough to enforce a certain level of austerity and discipline when it comes to keeping things organized. Just what I like. She also has plenty of deck space (the "back porch") for hosting guests—upwards of eight adults can sit together (perfect for playing music).
She's a well-found boat, with two Chris Craft 350's (possibly original, built on the Chevy small block), new fuel and grey/black water holding tanks, new shore power electrical systems, a well-equipped galley (fridge, two-burner Homestrand electric stove, microwave, etc.), a functioning head (!), a Fireboy Halon 1301 fire suppression system, and various bits of electronic gear (CB and VHF radios, hailer/loudspeaker, depth sounder/fish finder, engine synchronizer, gasoline fume detector, etc.).
Belowdecks there's a nice settee/berth—whose back lifts to become an upper berth. The dinette area also converts into a full size bed but I doubt we'll use that very much. And actual sleeping berths will be in the foreword cabin—the hatch is already labeled "Captain's Quarters" so who am I to argue?
There are many ongoing projects to be done onboard—nearly all of a cosmetic nature or simply repairing electrical stuff (lights, mostly, but also the hailing system and the depth sounder). The first major project will be re-installation of the fresh water holding tank so I can have running water onboard. There's brightwork to refinish, a bit of minor rot to be cut out and replaced, carpeting to be removed from the cabin (the wooden deck beneath is gorgeous and will really enhance the visual warmth of the cabin), some bad wall paper in the head to be removed, and cushions to be re-upholstered.
All in all, she'll make a good home and I'm looking forward to the summer. Here are pictures of her exterior, interior accomodations, mechanical systems, electrical systems, radio & navigation systems, etc.
She's a well-found boat, with two Chris Craft 350's (possibly original, built on the Chevy small block), new fuel and grey/black water holding tanks, new shore power electrical systems, a well-equipped galley (fridge, two-burner Homestrand electric stove, microwave, etc.), a functioning head (!), a Fireboy Halon 1301 fire suppression system, and various bits of electronic gear (CB and VHF radios, hailer/loudspeaker, depth sounder/fish finder, engine synchronizer, gasoline fume detector, etc.).
Belowdecks there's a nice settee/berth—whose back lifts to become an upper berth. The dinette area also converts into a full size bed but I doubt we'll use that very much. And actual sleeping berths will be in the foreword cabin—the hatch is already labeled "Captain's Quarters" so who am I to argue?
There are many ongoing projects to be done onboard—nearly all of a cosmetic nature or simply repairing electrical stuff (lights, mostly, but also the hailing system and the depth sounder). The first major project will be re-installation of the fresh water holding tank so I can have running water onboard. There's brightwork to refinish, a bit of minor rot to be cut out and replaced, carpeting to be removed from the cabin (the wooden deck beneath is gorgeous and will really enhance the visual warmth of the cabin), some bad wall paper in the head to be removed, and cushions to be re-upholstered.
All in all, she'll make a good home and I'm looking forward to the summer. Here are pictures of her exterior, interior accomodations, mechanical systems, electrical systems, radio & navigation systems, etc.
