I made the mistake of looking on Craigslist last week. Do not go on there. Period… If you are there for sex, you will wind up chopped up and placed in a freezer…if you are lucky… What happened to me was fare worse…. I found an old Chris Craft Constellation… right here in my back yard… Running… in .. the water.. with a cover… It was like a demon took control of me. It dialed the phone, it sent the email… It even drove me to the marina… Every ounce of brain trust I have knew better. I was yelling at me. Don’t go, Don’t Don’t Don’t…. As my pal Kaptain Krunch says.. If you ever want to get back at someone… Sell them a twin engine wood cruiser.. The ad read. 1958 Chris Craft Constellation 28 ft, no long blah blah about.. just 4 photos..
I thought.. Dang, the guy has a realistic price on it, since folks can’t even give these things away these days…and its floating.. still…. And from the images it looks OK, and it has a cover.. the cover alone is worth more than the price of the boat .. Now here is how the demon takes control. It finds one small positive note to suck you in… It was that damm cover..
And the fact that the boat was only 10 minutes away. What the hell, I ‘ll go take a look.. I can always walk away… DO NOT GO ANY FURTHER. Slam your hand in your car door.. Anything. DO NOT GO SEE THE THING.. But noooo, I had to go… I thought for that price I can and surely will find all sorts of issues that I can use as a walk away.. Ahhhh crap.. The cover looks new, the boat has been in fresh water it’s entire life, and looks brand new. Turns out it had been fully restored in 1992..
Engines.. twin K’s only have 200 hrs on them and are the matching engines to the boat… Fiberglass roof all redone.. All new electrical.. Ahhhh dammm.. All the orig stuff including a notebook full of the restoration.. All done by professionals… Gauges all work.. Engines run.. new seats, cushions All the chrome perfect.. All working, no corrosion..
The boat was perfect cosmetically….
new gas tanks… Boat had been pulled two years ago and had the bottom painted and some wood replaced. New props shafts….. I tried to hate it.. I really did… Please someone chop me up and put me in the freezer.. But before I could say stop.. The check was cut and I am now a true idiot… But a happy idiot… for now..More to come…..
Congrats Matt. Now just sit back and enjoy.
Don P
Gee, do I want a Whirlwind or a Constellation? Not a typical choice, is it?
Congrats, but you better order an extra supply of checks, because I bet you'll be writing a few!
Paul
John Rothert says: That is a Great Looking Boat!!! Just what you REALLY DID need, something to RIDE IN, with the wifey and kids…not a trailer queen….
This is the smartest boat buy I have ever known you to make….but then..that's not saying much is it? We all have the disease.
John
Woody Boater, this one is the predecessor to my 1960, 27' Connie and looks great!!! Same interior layout. We enjoy the heck out of ours and know that you will too. Now you can join in on the "Ice Box" discussion on Boat Buzz, and all the other quirky discussions involving cruisers.
That cover looks great! Just what I need for mine when I'm out and about (not under a covered slip). Congrats.
Al
Hey Matt – That's "Big" news!
Are you planning to have a Boat Warming Party and invite your family, friend's, roving reporter's (wink, wink), etc to the celebration?
Are you still married?
There is a bullnose Chris in the Harbor near me and every night I pray there is no For Sale sign on it. So far I've been lucky. So far my marriage is relatively safe. Congratulations and good luck.
Hi Honey I'm home!
Oh Matt, where have you been all day?
Ahhh, well hun sit down I have something to tell you.
Matt whats going on?
Ive bought you something.
Is it small and in a turquoise colored box?
No its a holiday home!
A what? A holiday home? Where?
Well thats the cool thing Honey, It can sort of be anywhere.
Is it near a lake?
Ahh yeah it is actually.
Oh Matt you are so sweet. And there I was thinking you were out buying another boat. I love you my little Matty schmatty. Let me get you a beer. x
Phil.
WOW !!
You must be one lucky guy. A boat with a good price and it looks as good on close inspection as it does in the photos. I have seen many a wood boat that photos hide their fatal faults. My hat is off to you for having the PROPS to buy that big old beautiful boat. Does
it come with a trailer?
Did not come with a trailer. I will post images tomorrow of how we moved it today
Of course the question I have for you-HOW MUCH DID YOU PAY FOR IT?
2,500… Then dumped over 20k into it. Rotten transom and some bottom planks. Then the keel broke on the boat lift. 7 k in insurance.. Wired the dock for power 3 k 300 in gas every fill up.. I was very happy to sell for 9 in 3 months
I feel your pain my friend. Truly I do. Want proof? Check out my version of your website on my 29 Catalina.
http://www.thehard6.com
Thanks, your site made me laugh!
Jim