1953 Chris Craft 24ft Express Cruiser

The Chris Craft 24ft Express Cruiser was produced from 1951 to 1954. They made only 502 Express Cruisers during that time period. Out of the 502 produced, it has been said that only a handful exist today.

This 1953 Chris Craft 24ft Express Cruiser named “Bali Hai” was delivered from Chattanooga, Tennessee, in July of 1953 to the Tahoe Boat Company, in Tahoe City. The current seller was a one-year-old when the boat arrived and has been with his family its entire life. This Express Cruiser has only been used in Lake Tahoe’s fresh water making annual trips to Emerald Bay for the last 70 plus years. “Bali Hai” was also used for Coast Guard Auxiliary work when they held Unlimited Hydroplane races on the lake in the 1960’s. The boat’s legacy includes picking up dead bodies and patrolling Lake Tahoe in service at the highest altitude Coast Guard station in the country. In the 1990’s “Bali Hai” which is constructed from Philippine mahogany wood and features a classic, well-appointed cabin took first place in the Marquee Class of the Lake Tahoe Concours d’Elegance.

This 1953 Chris craft 24ft Express Cruiser is powered by a Chris Craft ML flat head 6cyl engine with 145 hp. The ML was the largest engine option for this boat in 1953 which helped it perform in Lake Tahoe’s high altitude. The cabin features a cook stove top, a sink, and plenty of storage for all your boating accessories including the boarding ladder for swimming. The captain of the boat can drive standing up or the fold-down captain’s chair can be set up to create a comfortable driver’s seat. The bottom has had work done to it over the years but is original and needs to soak.

Don’t miss out on an original one owner, Tahoe only Chris craft Express Cruiser!

https://www.chriscraft.com/our-story/timeline/

• ID: BALI HAI
• Year: 1953
• Builder: Chris Craft
• Model: Express Cruiser
• Length: 24ft
• Engine: Chris Craft ML, 145 hp
• Trailer: None
• Price: $35,000.00

Please note: Detail pictures will be add in the spring of 2024.