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1961 Chris Craft Cavalier

Listing ID3046336
Sale Price$3,000 USD [ Convert To CAD ]
Seller A Private Seller
StatusAvailable
ConditionUsed
Category Antique and Classic Boats
Year1961
Make Chris Craft
Brand Research More About Chris Craft
Buyer Guides Chris Craft Buyers Guides
Research Aids Chris Craft Tests & Reviews
ModelCavalier
Located Ketchum, California, US
Length18ft / 5.49 m
Primary ColorWhite
Secondary ColorWhite
Engines1
Engine MakeChevrolet
Engine Model350
Engine TypeInboard
Engine HP200
Engine Hours300
FuelGas
HullWood
Accommodates5

For sale by owner. This boat has been our family ski boat and general pleasure craft for 50 years. In that time the boat has always been used on the same lake, parked at our private dock, and stored winters indoors. At the 7,000 foot elevation where we keep the boat it runs flat out at about 4400 RPM. I have no idea what speed that is and maximum speed depends on choice of prop. The prop now on the boat was chosen for water skiing, not for speed. I would not run such a boat, or any boat, at full throttle for very long anyway. The original Chevy 283 has been replaced with a rebuilt 350, retaining everything from the old engine except the long block. The boat shows 898 hours on the instrument; those are the total hours for both the original engine and the newer engine combined. The original engine was replaced at about 600 hours. The ignition has been upgraded with a Pertronix Ignitor II, Flame Thrower epoxy filled coil, and Taylor 8 mm wires. The carburetor is a Carter AFB, my best guess is 480 CFM. The carburetor has been jetted for high altitude. I tried to fit an Edelbrock 600 due to its similarity to the AFB and found the venturi spacing on the manifold to be too closely spaced to match, so the Carter is a smaller bodied carb. The boat is ready to run with current Idaho tags as-is but it is in need of some care. The paint is worn in some places and it needs the bottom paint redone. The upholstery needs to be replaced and the interior vinyl is torn in some places. I believe the performance would be improved by rebuilding the carburetor. The windshield is not on the boat but will be included. The boat will come with a spare prop. The trailer has not been on the open road since 1985 since we store the boat only a mile from the boat ramp at our lake. The trailer bears California plates with tags from 1970. The tires need to be replaced to reliably go any distance on the highway. The trailer wiring should not be counted on and temporary lighting compatible with any prospective tow vehicle will need to be employed. Tie-down straps are also advised as the trailer does not have its own tie-downs except for a manual winch for the bow line. The boat will be available for inspection, test drive, and pickup during a three week window in July, exact dates are TBD. The boat's location is reached by an unpaved but maintained Forest Service road about two miles from the highway. If required we can deliver the boat to the highway, but other than that the boat is available for local pick up only at its current location. We have many photos of the boat and trailer that can be provided prospective buyers on request, either by email or CD. The buyer will be provided with all of the most current paperwork for both the boat and trailer. Please contact: Rick (310) 538-1290 (e-mail us using the link on this page) Or Jim (479) 422-4489 (e-mail us using the link on this page)