• You're one step from joining Chris Craft – Classic Restorations, Engine Upgrades & Maintenance.
    Create a free account to post, follow threads, and never miss an update.  Sign up free →

an old Chris Craft boat restoration

r04sted duck

New member
Joined
Aug 20, 2025
Messages
2
My pops just gave me this old boat, and I want to start a new restoration project. I could really use some help figuring out what I have here.

I don't know much about this boat, just that it's a 1960 Chris Craft with a Chrysler 273BW10 200hp engine.
I was thinking it might be a Sea Skiff, but the hull isn't the usual lapstrake style, and it's made of large plywood boards.

Does that sound familiar to anyone? I'm hoping someone out there can help me figure out the exact model so I can start sourcing the right parts for this restoration. Thanks in advance!
 
A 1960 Chris Craft with that Chrysler 200hp sounds great! Given the year and plywood construction, you're almost certainly looking at a Cavalier. The Sea Skiffs were lapstrake, so that's a good clue you're on the right track. The best way is to confirm it though using your HIN. On a boat from that era, the HIN is a unique sequence of numbers and letters, usually stamped directly into the main deck beam just inside the bow. Sometimes you can also find it on a small plate in the engine compartment. Once you have that number, you can cross-reference it with Chris Craft records to pinpoint the exact model, length, and original configuration. Best of luck with the restoration!
 
Back
Top