1934 Chris Craft 27ft Custom Runabout

This 1934 Chris Craft runabout is a Custom 309 model that features a 27′ mahogany hull with triple cockpits. From 1932 to 1941, Chris Craft made only 62 27’ Custom Runabouts. This Chris Craft, named Star Dust, was originally purchased in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and was brought to Lake Tahoe by Fred Kehlet later in the 1930s. Kehlet used it for public rides from his family’s maritime operation at Meeks Bay Resort. The vessel was later acquired by John Wickland III, and it earned Best of Show at the 1992 Tahoe Yacht Club’s Concours d’Elegance. Western Runabouts refurbished the exterior in 2003, and the boat earned a score of 84 at that year’s Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance. Star Dust was donated in 2004 to the Tahoe Maritime Museum and served as their summer ride boat for museum members and the public. A Crusader 6.0-liter V8 and forward/reverse transmission were installed in 2012, though the original A-120 V8 engine is included in the sale.

The planing hull and curved deck feature seam-and-batten mahogany construction over white oak framing. The boat measures 27′ long and 7′ 2″ wide and has a 28″ draft. Polished chrome deck hardware includes the cutwater, chocks, cleats, engine compartment vents, and navigation lights.

The foredeck and quarterdeck are natural varnished mahogany, and the king planks and coverboard are stained walnut. In 2003 Western Runabouts sanded, repaired, and varnished the hull and deck.

The triple cockpit layout features three separate seating areas, each equipped with tan vinyl benches and planked soles covered in black rubber mats. A single-pane, tempered-glass windscreen shields the driver and features a hinged frame and wind wings. The forward and aft cockpit soles are removable for access to their respective bilges.

A banjo steering wheel is mounted on the starboard side of the foremost cockpit and is equipped with a center throttle lever. A forward/reverse shifter extends from the floorboard. An instrument cluster for the Crusader engine has been added under the dashboard and includes a 6k-rpm tachometer and gauges for oil pressure, temperature, and voltage. Period instrumentation is retained in the dash fascia but is not functional at this time.

A fuel-injected, GM-based Crusader 6.0-liter V8 was installed in 2012 by Allen’s Marine Engines of Saratoga, California, along with a ZF 63A transmission. The replacement engine was rated for 375 horsepower and is fueled by twin 30-gallon tanks in the stern. When the boat was last used in the summer of 2019 a coolant leak was noted with the recommendation of replacing the thermostat gasket and exhaust manifolds.

The removed 825ci (13.5 liters) Chris-Craft A-120 V8 is included in the sale. It is 543 of 605 A-120s made and has been modified with a 12-volt Delcotron alternator. The engine received a compression test in 2021 which showed low compression in one cylinder so an engine rebuild would be needed if a buyer decided to switch back to the original engine. The factory wiring, instrumentation, and linkages are said to remain fitted so that the next owner can reinstall the original engine if so desired.

The bottom is a 30-year-old epoxy bottom that is showing her age. The boat was last in the water in September of 2019. The bottom has dried out in storage and seams have opened up. A bottom replacement should be factored in for any potential buyer.

This boat comes on a steel, tandem-axle Zieman trailer that is painted black and features side steps, carpeted beds, 15″ wheels, and a Dutton-Lainson hand winch. The boat is protected by a custom waterline cover and comes with an anchor, lines, lifejackets, and a boarding ladder.

• ID: Star Dust
• Year: 1934
• Builder: Chris Craft
• Model: 309 – Custom runabout
• Length: 27ft
• Engine: Crusader 6.0L V8, 375 hp
• Trailer: 1989 Zieman MFG. Co. tandem axle trailer
• Price: $75,000.00