Runabouts
Runabouts, the antique and classic boats typically characterized as a “runabouts” are boats that have individual cockpits for their seating areas. typically boats less than 20 feet will have two cockpits. They may be together, forward of the engine compartment, or split, one ahead of and one behind the engine compartment. Boats over 20 feet often have thee cockpits and are referred to as “triple cockpit” runabouts. They also have full decks with the engine compartment under hatches. These type of boats were produced in smaller quantities than other types, such as utilities. They were generally more expensive to buy and often had higher quality than lesser models. They also have better aesthetics due to the cockpit design. As a result, they command higher prices than utility models.
Showing 1–16 of 18 results
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1939 Chris Craft 19ft Custom Runabout
$109,500.00Get More Info.
1939 Chris Craft 19ft Custom Runabout
$109,500.001939 Chris Craft 19ft Custom Runabout, “Barrel Back”.
The Chris Craft Custom Runabout, known colloquially in classic boating circles as the “Barrel Back,” is arguably the most desirable Chris Craft model produced. They represented the highest level of craftsmanship Chris Craft ever offered because it required skilled craftsmen to produce the full half circle transom shape. The transom is so round above water that it actually looks like a floating barrel. While Chris Craft never officially adopted the moniker, it stuck anyway. The 19-foot Custom Runabout model was built from 1939 through 1942 and only 433 were made.
This Custom Runabout, hull number 48641, was completely restored in 2007/2008 with photo documentation of the project. The boat is currently in Bristol Condition and is equipped with a 5200 bottom to eliminate soaking. It has the fold down Bugatti style windshields as used in 1939 and 1940. Also unique to this year is the one-piece instrument panel. It is powered by the original Chris Craft M engine with 135 hp. The engine was rebuilt in 2007 and currently has less than 25 hours on it. It features a 12V charging system with one battery, a bilge pump and horn. It also comes with two covers, summer and winter. The boat sits on a single axle 2007 Trailmaster trailer with spare tire and is annually serviced.
This boat is offsite and has not been inspected by Sierra Boat Co.
- ID: LINDSAY
- Year: 1939
- Builder: Chris Craft
- Model: Custom Runabout, “Barrel Back”
- Length: 19ft
- Engine: Chris Craft M, 130 hp
- Trailer: 2007 Trailmaster
- Price: $109,500.00
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1940 Gar Wood 19ft Custom Runabout
$98,500.00Get More Info.
1940 Gar Wood 19ft Custom Runabout
$98,500.001940 Gar Wood 19ft Custom Runabout.
Gar Wood Boats’ success was directly tied to owner Garfield Wood’s dominance in winning almost every race he ever entered. His hands-on designs and special engine configurations were considered the leading technology of the era. Gar Wood’s are among the most sought-after and valuable boats on today’s classic wooden boat market.
This 1940 Gar Wood Custom Runabout is powered by a Chris Craft 283 V8 with 185 hp. The engine has 234.3 fresh water only hours on it. In 2015 the boat received a brand-new Sierra Boat Co. membrane bottom. The membrane bottom performs and appears like a traditional bottom but requires no soaking. The deck, hull sides and transom varnish are in excellent condition. The upholstery has been meticulously maintained and is original in styling. The boat is protected by a custom full waterline cover.
This Gar Wood has been stored and service by Sierra Boat Co. with all the records for many years!
https://www.garwood.com/index.php/gar-wood-history/
- ID: ROKI II
- Year: 1940
- Builder: Gar Wood
- Model: Custom Runabout
- Length: 19’
- Engine: Chris Craft 283 V8, 185 hp
- Trailer: None
- Price: $98,500.00
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1949 Chris Craft 20ft Custom
$72,000.00Get More Info.
1949 Chris Craft 20ft Custom
$72,000.001949 Chris Craft 20ft Custom.
The Chris Craft 20ft Custom Runabout was the successor to the pre-war 19ft Custom Runabout or Barrel Back. Only 369 hulls were built from 1946 to 1949. This is hull number 338, built in the final year. They were the first of the post war runabouts to feature the blond decking. Expensive and plush in their day, they featured genuine leather upholstery and a substantial 4 piece folding windshield.
This example has been restored to the highest standards. It features a 5200 bottom and fully skinned and glued decks and hull sides. It features the top engine option, the Chris Craft MBL at 158 hp. The boat has been fully rewired and has been converted to 12 volt. All details are correct. It has won numerous awards at shows in Oregon and Lake Tahoe. Restorations on this level do not come cheap, so here is an opportunity to buy a ready to go boat for a fraction of the cost of a restoration. It comes on a custom fitted Ryan Trailer.
https://www.chriscraft.com/our-story/timeline/
- ID: VIKI G
- Year: 1949
- Builder: Chris Craft
- Model: 20 Custom
- Length: 20ft
- Engine: Chris Craft MBL, 158 hp
- Trailer: Custom Ryan Tandem
- Price: $72,000.00
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1958 Chris Craft 19ft Capri
$35,000.00Get More Info.
1958 Chris Craft 19ft Capri
$35,000.001958 Chris Craft 19ft Capri.
From 1955 to 1958 Chris Craft produced 786 Capri’s. This 1958 Chris Craft Capri is hull number 750 making it one of the last 35 Capri’s ever built. Chris Craft offered three engine options at that time for the Capri; KBL, KLC and KFL. This boat was special ordered with a Ford Interceptor 312 engine for better performance and more horsepower, perfect for Lake Tahoe’s higher altitude. The Interceptor 312 was rebuilt by Sierra Boat in 2016, has only been used in Lake Tahoe and has very low engine hours on it.
This 1958 Chris Craft 19ft Capri features a no soak bottom. The deck and hull sides varnish are in good condition. Everything is original besides the no soak bottom. Interior upholstery and flooring are in good condition. The boat is protected by a full custom cover that is in good condition as well.
The boat comes with a like new 2014 California Trailer Works tandem axle custom trailer that features a swing tongue.
This 1958 Chris Craft 19ft Capri is turn key and ideal for Tahoe!
https://www.chriscraft.com/our-story/timeline/
- ID: RED’S DREAM
- Year: 1958
- Builder: Chris Craft
- Model: Capri
- Length: 19ft
- Engine: Ford Interceptor 312, 225 hp
- Trailer: 2014 CTW Custom trailer
- Price: $35,000.00
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T-44 Wild Horses – 1997 33ft Gentleman’s Racer
$225,000.00Get More Info.
T-44 Wild Horses – 1997 33ft Gentleman’s Racer
$225,000.00T-44 Wild Horses – 1997 33ft Gentleman’s Racer.
The concept behind the creation of this boat was developed by Ken Bassett of Onion River Boatworks in Vermont and Tony Brown at Western Runabouts in California. They used the design of a 1920s-era Hacker-Craft named “Nick-Nack” as a basic blueprint – but many modifications needed to be made to accommodate the new engine and handle the power it develops.
The idea was to put a Rolls-Royce Meteor V12 tank engine into a speed boat. The Meteor V12 was a development of the legendary Rolls-Royce Merlin aero engine from aircraft’s like the Spitfire and P51 Mustang. The Meteor was developed for use in tanks, and it was so successful that it fundamentally changed the way tanks were designed. With a capacity of 27 liters (1648 cubic inches), no supercharger (as was used on the Merlin) and a power output of 650 hp, the Meteor proved both reliable and easy to produce – in fact many early Meteors were built from the remains of crashed Merlins.
The original boat, Nick-Nack, had been a major icon in its day. It was owned by Commodore Humphrey Birge of Buffalo, New York and it shattered the one-lap, 50-mile and 150-mile records at the Wood-Fisher race at Detroit, Michigan in 1921.
The Commodore’s vessel had a 200 hp Hall-Scott motor fitted – approximately 70% less powerful than the mighty V12 sitting in the new boat handcrafted by Brown & Bassett. The interior is upholstered from maroon leather and there’s a forward jump seat that is said to be for “brave passengers”!
T-44 is a one owner 33ft gentleman’s racer that has been meticulously maintained and comes on a custom-configured trailer for easy transport.
- ID: T-44 Wild Horses
- Year: 1997
- Builder: Bassett & Brown
- Model: T-44
- Length: 33ft
- Engine: Rolls Royce V12, 650 hp
- Trailer: Custom triple axle
- Price: $225,000.00
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1941 Chris Craft 19ft Custom Runabout
$75,000.00Get More Info.
1941 Chris Craft 19ft Custom Runabout
$75,000.001941 Chris Craft 19ft Custom Runabout.
The pre-war Chris Craft Custom Runabouts are the most iconic and collectible of all of the vintage runabouts. The 19’ version was built from 1939 to 1942. The vintage boat hobby refers to these boats as barrel backs. This is a hobby term and was never a factory name, the correct model name for the 19’ being a “custom”. In the first two years this model had a more pointed bow and fold down small windshields, often termed Bugatti windshields. For the model year 1941 and later, the hull received a more rounded bow and a four panel, folding windshield. Collectors have their preferences and the style is a matter of taste more than function. In the water they are essentially the same boat.
The boat featured here is an older restoration with little use. It was purchased by the current owner at the Tahoe Concours d’Elegance boat show and has primarily been used on Lake Tahoe. A key feature on this boat is a glued West System bottom which is the ultimate bottom for durability. This boat can be dry launched without soaking. It also features a later series M type engine from the late 50’s. The MCL engine makes 175 hp which is 45 hp more than the original 130 hp model M. This means that the boat will really perform, especially in Tahoe’s higher altitude. It also features a 12V electrical system.
This is not a Concours boat show winner due to the upgraded West System bottom and engine, but if you want a reliable boat you can really use, this is the one for you!
https://www.chriscraft.com/our-story/timeline/
- ID: MISS BEVERLY
- Year: 1941
- Builder: Chris Craft
- Model: Custom Runabout
- Length: 19ft
- Engine: Chris Craft MCL, 175 hp
- Trailer: 2008 Instigator Tandem
- Price: $75,000.00
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1939 Chris Craft 19ft Custom Runabout
$89,900.00Get More Info.
1939 Chris Craft 19ft Custom Runabout
$89,900.001939 Chris Craft 19ft Custom Runabout.
The iconic custom runabout, also known as the Barrel Back, was produced from 1939 to 1942, with a total of 433 hulls produced. They represented the highest level of craftsmanship Chris Craft ever offered because it required skilled craftsmen to produce the full half circle transom shape. These boats were the inspiration for Carlo Riva and his legendary Ariston and Aquarama models.
This example was restored by some of the best craftsmen in northern California. It represents a late 1939 build with two-piece coverboards. Unique to this year is the one-piece instrument panel. This boat has the fold down Bugatti style windshields as used in 1939 and 1940.
The boat features correct pattern texture burgundy leather upholstery. It has a west system bottom, for no leak usability. Power is by a later period Chris Craft 158 hp MBL engine. The engine has been done to 1939 appearance including a model M serial plate. It comes on a refurbished tandem axle trailer.
- Year: 1939
- Builder: Chris Craft
- Model: Custom Runabout
- Length: 19ft
- Engine: Chris Craft MBL 158 hp
- Trailer: 1985 Tandem
- Price: $89,900.00
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1938 Chris Craft 19ft Custom Runabout
$42,000.00Get More Info.
1938 Chris Craft 19ft Custom Runabout
$42,000.001938 Chris Craft 19ft Custom Runabout.
This is the last of the early 19ft Custom runabouts. The model evolved into the barrel back models in 1939 and those boats are based on these earlier models. They were built from 1935 to 1938 and only 328 examples were produced. In my opinion, this model captures the essence of what a classic Chris Craft should look like. It has the appealing vee-shaped windshield and excellent proportions. This is an older restoration but has been used little and is still in very good condition. The engine is a period correct Model “K” engine with 85 hp, but the serial number does not match the one on the hull plaque. The bottom has been replaced but is an original type bottom and will have to be soaked.
- ID: SIERRA SUNRISE
- Year: 1938
- Builder: Chris Craft
- Model: Custom Runabout
- Length: 19ft
- Engine: Model K, 85 hp
- Trailer: None
- Price: $42,000.00
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1939 Chris Craft 19ft Custom Runabout
$70,000.00Get More Info.
1939 Chris Craft 19ft Custom Runabout
$70,000.001939 Chris Craft 19ft Custom Runabout Barrel Back.
The iconic custom runabout, also known as the Barrel Back, was produced from 1939 to 1942, with a total of 433 hulls produced. They represented the highest level of craftsmanship Chris Craft ever offered because it required skilled craftsmen to produce the full half circle transom shape. These boats were the inspiration for Carlo Riva and his legendary Ariston and Aquarama models.
This 1939 Custom Barrel Back was fully restored in 1994 and was used up until 2005 when it went into storage at Sierra Boat and has not been in service until now. It represents a late 1939 build with two-piece coverboards. Unique to this year is the one-piece instrument panel. This boat has the fold down Bugatti style windshields as used in 1939 and 1940.
It has a west system bottom, for no leak usability. Power is by a Chris Craft KFL engine with 130 hp. The upholstery is not period correct but is in good condition. The deck and hull side varnish are in good condition.
Don’t miss out on one of the most iconic boats of all time!
- ID: MI ELEANORA
- Year: 1939
- Builder: Chris Craft
- Model: Custom Barrel Back
- Length: 19ft
- Engine: Chris Craft KFL, 130 hp
- Trailer: None
- Price: $70,000.00
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1928 Custom Hacker 17ft
$75,000.00Get More Info.
1928 Custom Hacker 17ft
$75,000.00“Houston Girl” is a 1928 17ft Custom Hacker 151 Class Pelican single step racing hydroplane.
This boat is a John Hacker design which ran in the limited 151 cu.in. displacement class in the late 1920’s and early 1930’s, a support class running with the APBA Gold Cup race series.
Commodore Henry Faulk of the Houston Yacht Club and President of the Mississippi Valley Power Boat Association had her built. She was campaigned from Havana, Cuba to San Diego, California.
The Peerless 151 motor was restored by John Allen of Allen’s Marine Engines. John Allen is considered to be one of the top vintage marine engine restorers on the west coast. But not only did John Allen restore the motor for “Houston Girl”, he completed the restoration of the boat and the original vintage trailer too. This Custom Hacker was completed in 2010 in time for the Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance in June. “Houston Girl” was awarded the Most Unique Boat of Show and Best Hacker Craft of Show at the prestigious 2010 Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance.
- ID: HOUSTON GIRL
- Year: 1928
- Builder: Hacker
- Model: Custom Single Step Racing Hydroplane
- Length: 17ft
- Engine: Peerless 151
- Trailer: Custom
- Price: $75,000.00
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1929 Chris Craft 38ft Custom Commuter
$295,000.00Get More Info.
1929 Chris Craft 38ft Custom Commuter
$295,000.001929 Chris Craft 38ft Custom Commuter.
The Custom Commuter was Chris Craft’s first cruiser type boat. The Commuter name comes from the use of this type of boat to “commute” from Long Island sound to Manhattan. At the time the only boats available were custom built boats and Chris Craft saw an opportunity to build a production boat to fill the demand. 65 examples were built from hull no. 5001 to no. 5065, most of them built in 1929 before the depression killed the demand. Dat-So-La-Lee is number 15 in the series.
This 1929 Chris Craft 38ft Custom Commuter was fully restored in 1991 and has received additional work in later years. Most notably, the bottom was fully replaced with the 5200 style bottom. The engine was changed out to a modern Mercruiser 496, giving the power needed in Lake Tahoe’s altitude. The boat comes with a fully re-built Chris Craft A-120, which was the original engine used before the restoration, but is not the original engine to the boat. The original engines in 1929 were the A-70 engine of a similar design.
The boat is very original and still has the correct head with a pull-down pull man style sink. The main modification was the conversion of double bunks to a table and benches. Otherwise, every attempt was made to retain originality throughout using the original factory drawings as a guide.
https://www.chriscraft.com/our-story/timeline/
- ID: DAT-SO-LA-LEE
- Year: 1929
- Builder: Chris Craft
- Model: Custom Commuter
- Length: 38ft
- Engine: Mercruiser 496 8.1L, 385 hp
- Trailer: None
- Price: $295,000.00
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1937 Gar Wood 25ft Triple Cockpit
$339,000.00Get More Info.
1937 Gar Wood 25ft Triple Cockpit
$339,000.001937 Gar Wood 25ft Triple Cockpit.
In 1937 Gar Wood built 267 boats, about 100 more than any other year in the 1930s. Midnight Thunder, formerly Triple Time, is one of only nine 25ft runabouts built in 1937, and one of only three 25-footers equipped with the largest engine option, the Scripps 302 V-12. The favored formula for making speedboats go fast in the 1920s and ’30s included a large displacement and low rpm power plant spinning a large propeller. The Scripps V-12 engine, model 302, original to this boat, is no exception to that formula. With a cylinder bore of 4.25 inches and a stroke of 5.25 inches, the displacement totals 894 cubic inches. The engine was said to produce 316 hp at 2,600 rpm.
Midnight Thunder is in excellent condition. From the original Scripps V-12 engine to the period correct original pattern and color leather upholstery. A restoration was completed from 2002-2003 with wood work by Armstrong Boat Works, of Skaneateles, New York, and the engine restoration was completed by noted Scripps specialist George Shinn. The entire bottom of the boat was replaced at this time, including keel, chines, frames, and bottom planking, following Gar Wood specifications. In order to insure reliability and durability, the Scripps engine and transmission were tuned by the experts at Freedom Engine Service in the summer of 2010.
This boat then arrived at Sierra Boat in January of 2013 and has been stored and serviced here ever since. The boat was inspected by Sierra Boat from stem to stern for the Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elgance Boat Show judging. From that inspection a few items were address for the shows with the largest item being new flooring. The engine was set up and tuned for Lake Tahoe’s high-altitude boating and a custom full waterline cover was made. In 2014 the boat was fully restored including deck, hull sides and transom. At this time the name was changed from “Triple Time” to “Midnight Thunder” in gold leaf. Miscellaneous mechanical items from the judging sheet were addressed as well.
At the Concours d’Elgance Boat Show in Lake Tahoe, this 1937 Gar Wood 25ft Triple Cockpit won 2014 Best Gar Wood of Show, 2014 Best of Show Over 23ft, 2017 Best in Show, and 2017 Best Engine.
- ID: MIDNIGHT THUNDER
- Year: 1937
- Builder: Gar Wood
- Model: Triple Cockpit
- Length: 25ft
- Engine: Scripps 302 V-12
- Trailer: Custom Dual Axle
- Price: $339,000.00
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1941 Gar Wood 25’6” Triple Cockpit Custom Runabout
$295,000.00Get More Info.
1941 Gar Wood 25’6” Triple Cockpit Custom Runabout
$295,000.00This is a very rare 1941 Gar Wood 25’6’’ Triple Cockpit Custom Runabout.
Only 35 25-foot Custom Runabouts were ever built by Gar Wood during its 10-year production run from 1932-41. A mere sixteen are known to exist today. Considered by most to be the pinnacle of Gar Wood design, the 1941 models had the most bow flare, the barreled-cutwater design, high-crowned decks and the aft-raked transom, which added 6 inches of length and completed the radical streamlining of the 1941 lineup.
One of only two 25-foot 6-inch hulls built—both for 1941—it is the last of only five with the huge 316 HP, 894 CI Scripps model 302 V-12 engine. This engine was the top-of-the-line option for the 25-footers, and it pushed the boats to 50 MPH, making it what Gar Wood claimed to be the fastest stock runabout available at the time. It’s price when new in 1941 was a staggering $7,550.
The 1941 Gar Wood 25-foot 6-inch Custom Runabout featured rich heavy-grained pleated burgundy leather upholstery throughout, with comfortable seating for eight to 10 adult passengers. An abundance of the most beautiful streamlined chromed-brass hardware—which was a Gar Wood trademark—helped make the big, triple–cockpit Gar Woods the boat to own on Lake Tahoe. Though “Hae Dae III”—the name given to the boat by its original owner Herbert Day—was actually delivered new to Newport Beach, California, just after New Years in January 1941, by that summer, it was home at Tahoe, where it was raced in several of the Tahoe Yacht Club events. It won first place in the “Bang and Go Back” race and third place in the Lake Championship Free-For-All Race in both July and August 1941. Hae Dae III was the last 25’6’’ Custom Runabout shipped by Gar Wood.
Hae Dae III has only had four owners in its lifetime on Lake Tahoe. Tony Brown of Western Runabouts completed a significant preservation restoration in 2002. It has been awarded “Best Gar Wood of Show” at the prestigious Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance twice, in 2002 and 2004.
https://www.thatoldboat.com/Garwood/25-6-1941-Hae-Dae-III/
https://www.garwood.com/index.php/gar-wood-history/
- ID: HAE DAE III
- Year: 1941
- Builder: Gar Wood
- Model: Triple Cockpit Custom Runabout
- Length: 25’6’’
- Engine: Rebuilt Original Scripps 302 CI V-12
- Trailer: None
- Price: $295,000.00
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1949 Chris Craft 20ft Custom
$85,000.00Get More Info.
1949 Chris Craft 20ft Custom
$85,000.001949 Chris Craft 20ft Custom.
This is hands down one of the finest boats we have listed for sale at Sierra Boat. It was fully re-constructed in 2013 by esteemed restorer Dan Nelson in Minnesota. It is essentially all new, using the correct Honduran mahogany. The boat is entirely glued construction, bottom sides and decks. In three years in California it does not have a single crack!
20 Customs were notoriously under built and the methods used, while not traditional, are the only way to enjoy this model without the durability problems of the original. Correct color and pattern leather upholstery was done by Rod Souza. The original 158 hp Chris Craft MBL has been fully re-built.
This 1949 Chris Craft 20 Custom comes on a custom fitted trailer and has a custom full waterline cover to protect it.
https://www.chriscraft.com/our-story/timeline/
- ID: HUNGRY BLONDE
- Year: 1949
- Builder: Chris Craft
- Model: 20 Custom
- Length: 20ft
- Engine: Chris Craft MBL, 158 hp
- Trailer: 2012 Trail Rite Tandem Axle
- Price: $85,000.00
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1957 Century 18ft Arabian
$55,000.00Get More Info.
1957 Century 18ft Arabian
$55,000.001957 Century 18ft Arabian.
The 1957 Arabian is perhaps one of the best-looking Arabian’s ever built. It is estimated that 41 were produced and we have only accounted for 10 over the last 25 years. These are very rare largely because the buying public was finding utility boats, like the Resorter and Coronado, to be more usable than the traditional cockpit designs. This boat was designed to go head to head with the Chris Craft Capri. The Arabian had a great advantage over the Capri in that it was available with far more horsepower.
This example comes with the 215 hp Ford Interceptor engine that performs well at high altitude here at Lake Tahoe. Sierra Boat did a complete restoration on this boat in the fall of 2004 and the boat has not been used since. The project started with a west system bottom for no soaking and fresh varnish all around. This boat has stunning blond Avidore decks offset by red African mahogany. The yellow and brown upholstery is the original styling and in excellent condition.
This is a great opportunity to buy a fully restored boat at a fraction of the cost of the restoration.
- ID: CF5455JX
- Year: 1957
- Builder: Century
- Model: Arabian
- Length: 18ft
- Engine: Ford Interceptor, 215 hp
- Trailer: None
- Price: $55,000.00
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1958 Hafer Craft 14ft
$9,500.00Get More Info.
1958 Hafer Craft 14ft
$9,500.001958 Hafer Craft 14ft
Following World War II, in 1943, Glen Hafer started building small 14′ inboard speedboats powered by 45 hp Gray engines. He was a pioneer in this field and to this day, a number of these little gems can be seen ‘zipping’ around the lake daily. Later, as interest in inboards increased, boats were lengthened to 16′ and powered by 90 hp Grays.
This 14ft Hafer Craft has the Gray Marine 45 hp engine with a Paragon Phantom Four transmission. It has a fiberglass bottom for no soaking. The deck varnish is in fair to good condition and the hull sides are in good condition.
This is a very rare classic boat with great lines at a price to sell!
https://acbs-bslol.com/boating-history/bobsboathouse/hafer/
- ID: PHANTOM FOUR
- Year: 1958
- Builder: Hafer Craft
- Length: 14ft
- Engine: Gray Marine, 45 hp
- Trailer: None
- Price: $9,500.00
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Hey Mac . Congratulations.
I would like more info on Chris craft if you get a chance .Also are there any Chris Craft boat shows coming soon
Hi James,
Thanks for reaching out to us at Sierra Boat. What kind of Chris Craft info are you looking for, company history or specific boat model? You can reach me at mac@sierraboat.com.
Thank you,
Mac Scott