In this corner, Alex Watson's killer XK19
If you think the crap going on – on the boat buzz has been a slug fest, you have not been part of the email chain that has been going on FOR WEEKS! It all started with the fake leaf accusation…Between Alex Watson and Mike Mayer, of Lake Oswego Boat Company.. Yes.. Plug link here….
And in this corner, Mikes Century Arabian.. Gurgle gurgle...
Jesus…. It’s been going on and on.. to the point that Mike went out on his boat yesterday to prove to Alex, that he can, since Alex lives in the freezer section of this large fridge we all live it.And Mike is in Washington State.. So.. Texx, who has been fueling this madness behind the scenes, is going to do a Shoot out.. That’s right, old school Motor Trend stuff between Mikes 1971 Century Arabian and Alex’s 1970 Chris-Craft XK19. Compare the stats, boat specs, performance, styling…. Now here is the cool part and not Motor Trendish although trendy these days with comments…… You get to vote. That’s right, Mike and Alex have left it up to you..Dear God! So get out your automated voting finger, call your Century pals…Whats left of the Chris -Craft Antique Boat Club will need to distract themselves from bitching about air, and we can all enjoy a real fight.. Between to worthy, or one un worthy boats…Wednesday-8 AM…Have your cup a joe ready…
Dancin' The Night Away - Hessel, Michigan (circa 1970)
Can we vote now, before the shootout begins?
Hey there Mikey.
“Wakie wakie, eggs and bakey.”
I want to see some video of the engines and some stats!
I don’t think either is stock!
Go Alex!
Someone send Mike and Alex a Flip video or something…
Oh that’s just great! way to add the extra stress Texx. One is one of my best friends and the other is a friend who drives a Chris Craft. How am I suppose to choose! Just when all that counseling was starting to help, now this.
Go Alex! You’ve got advanced hull design in your favor. She’ll just lift up outa the water and FLY!!!
Friend of ARRRGH!
There is only one thing to look at That same basic Arabian deep v was built from 1971 through the mid 1990s… It only had cosmetic changes year to year… The biggest change was the rear deck being angled off around 1975 or 6. Actually the earlier modified V bottom Arabian (1966-70) was nearly the same boat built both in wood and FG. The Arabian was a huge success for Century the XK19 was built 70 to 1974 with 276 units built… The Arabian was built in similar numbers somewhere around 300 for the same time period.. But the Arabian sales had not peaked yet… By the early late 1970s early 1980s the Arabian was up over 150 units a year. That is a lot of boat of one model… The numbers fell off in the mid 1980 down to the 50 or less level… On our lake I bet at one time we had 50 Arabians I only remember 1 xk19 ever… Now when you look at the hardware the Arabian had it all over the xk19… The Arabian had a custom chrome plated brass windshield framework, with PPG glass windshield. Superior ohter hardware… Superior interiors, (even though I don’t like the interiors of the time.) top speeds I do not know the XK 19 top speed the Deep V Arabian would top out in the low 50 mph with the 440 Chrysler or the 454 Chevy… I do have to say the XK 19 is cooler looking than the Arabian . But Century had an even cooler looking FG boat. it was the CTS or Century Tournament Skier. Probably my favorite glass boat ever… Also have ridden in both boats Can’t say that I like either’s ride… I’m a wood boat modified V bottom person. Is This the fiberglassyboater.com page. So use this information when you vote…
I am shocked that Frank would take such a pro century position.. I never saw that coming!
What do you mean… I said that the XK 19 was cool…
The only thing a century is good for is as a parts boat for a more worthy restoration.
OUCH !!!!!
having said that your new name should be “m-not-fine”!!
You know that the most common thing a Chris Craft owner sees when running his boat is the Century V transom vent pulling away…
Now, don’t be tacky . . . Arabians make good trailer queens if they are cleaned up!
Don, my XK is not entirely stock. Where it’s not has made it a better boat. I relayed some of that to Texx, so I expect that will make tomorrow’s story.
I also have a ’69 19′ Commander Super Sport that is so close to stock, it came with old rusty tools, its original instruction sheet, and its original late 60′s cheesy ignition key float. Bet it even had some original gas in it. Ha. Man I love that boat. It’s gloriously patina-ed, weathered, and worn. But it’s pure ’69.
NOT STOCK???? Hah! So are we voting on “as delivered” or “as delivered but modified in a manner that Alex thinks is better than even Chris Craft could design”? I guess we’ll let the people decide. My Century, however, is the real deal. Fine Corinthian upholstery and all. Original motor. Original instruments….original charm and design…..original rumble!
Not to nitpick but…
Mike M and LO Boat are located in Lake Oswego, Oregon (near Portland) not in Washington state as written above.
And to make the voting fair, we need to see a video of Alex zooming along the water, kissing his significant other, while Paul H. rides along behind them making his “bleech” face into the camera.
That way we can fairly compare engine rumble, wind buffering, the boat’s ride quality, etc etc.
Washington, Origon, Michigan, New jersey? Sematics. Someone is going to get there ass kicked!
Brian, that wasn’t “engine rumble.” It was “Paul grumble.” As in “how can I get off this Love Boat?”
Ha !
now, see , isnt this more fun then talking about financial disclosure and IRS rules…
It’s going to be a “Disco Inferno” tomorrow, so wear your platform shoes and bell bottoms…
Where were you in 1970?
I think I was a sophomore in high school, but I don’t really remember??? I do remember my very spiffy 1961 red Ford Sunliner (convertible). Had the same stamped aluminum dash as my Super Sport. Deja vooo hoo!
Probably at the local Disco in a bell bottom leisure suit and platform shies dancing like Homer Simpson with phoney chest hair tangled in the pendant necklace.
Dancing at 2001 with the honey that would end up as my wife. I’m sure she was wearing something with sparkles and me a shirt that was unbuttoned halfway down.
I was chillin’ in the crib, wearing a smelly diaper.
I am with Chad. Less than a year old hanging out in my lead painted wood crib with slats spaced just big enough to fit my head through! Gosh, it is amazing we survived
nice diversion, and much needed….I don’t care which Clorox Bottle wins…..but will stay tuned!
John in Va.
Forget about the Century! How about a shootout between Black & Blue and Superfly?
We have the power to make that happen. Just a few tasty photos and some juicy commentary.
Power to the People!
You forgot to add the word ” mirror”
go Mikey go
I got some nitro, lets put some in tonight while Alex sleeps.
and don’t forget the breakfast of champions — you know what I mean, honey…..
Two very cool boats, we have examples of both boats still in use on our lake. The V-Drive Chris was known at our dealership as be “Shakers” due to vibration. The decks were also a bit flimsy, but a beautiful boat. I always like how Century always used high horsepower in their boats. A shoot out would be so cool!
Shakey and flimsy vs high powered Arbib designed cool.
And that’s about it.
Hey this is fun!
and will the XK-19 win? I bet the Arabian really is a good boat but looking at both at the same time is like comparing a milk carton to miss-come-and-sweep-me-off-my-feet.
Nuf said.
Peter van der Hoeven
Not Wood. No Vote
When I hear the words shootout I think of a race. If thats the game the Chris craft is beat already. If it is stock the largest engine –according to Jerry Conrad– was a 350 Chevy. Compare this to Century with a good selection of 427 Fords and 426 Chryslers. So out of the box the Arabian was faster and quicker of the line.
It also is better looking especially the 66 to 68 before they added fiberglass decks. The only weak point on the early flat bottom Arabians is that they ride nose high and are best in flat water.
John Tyler AG6752
Well my 67 427 powered Arabian is very sweet. Not only does it get noticed on the water for looks, it can move too. With the power it has and the sound of the open pipes it makes heads turn. Merrit Isalnd