23' Custom

The 1940 model year introduced a new barrelback into the lineup, the 23' Custom.

In part, this model had existed in prior years as a non-barreled design, the 22' Custom. To better serve the gap between the 19' Custom and the 27', Chris-Craft lengthened the 22' one foot and redesigned the hull above the waterline with

For the model years 1941 and 1942, the Chris-Craft 23’ Custom Runabouts were essentially identical boats. In all, 26 were produced, with hull numbers ranging from #22200 through #22225.  The first delivery was July 31, 1940 (the Chris-Craft model year ran from August to July) and the last of the 23-foot barrelsterns was delivered on August 11, 1942.  The hull numbers do not, however, correspond to the chronological delivery dates.  For instance, model #22204 is listed as a 1942, delivered in November 1941, but #22205 is a 1941 model, and was delivered in December 1940.  Click here for a complete list of the 26 boats. 

Thirteen of the 26 original boats have been located for this review, however at least two other prominent boat builders have indicated to us that they know of other boats, so there is a reasonable likelihood that at least 15 boats exist!  Pretty amazing given that these boats are made of an organic material and are 60 years old.

The power options were the same in both years and the hulls were identical.  Prices in both years were nearly identical:  At 95 hp the boat listed at $2,590 in both years (none were built in 1942); for the 130 hp versions, the price was $2,890.  At 145 hp there was a $100 price increase in 1942 to $3,090  vs. $2,990 in 1941.  The 160 hp version with the "W" engine was $3,290 in both years.  Even the promotional illustration for 1941 was re-used for the 1942 models, however the model numbers changed.  The page below comes from a 1942 promotional brochure, with the 1942 model numbers cited.

There are only two differences between model years (to our knowledge): For about the first seven boats in 1941 the vents were lower-profile “bear claw” style – as pictured in the Chris-Craft promotional photo above.  Sometime in 1940 the government required greater engine compartment ventilation, so higher "scoop" vents were used on all boats shipped after January 6, 1941.  Thus, some of the later 1941s and all of the 1942s have the higher scoop-style vents.  The photo above shows the 1942 models, yet none of the 1942s had the vents that were pictured.  Also, the gauges were silver-faced with white numbers in 1941, but black-faced with white numbers for most of 1942.  This, however, is not definitive either.  Hull 22211, the first of the 1942s to be delivered, had silver-faced gauges, apparently left over from the 1941 production run.

Chris-Craft built four choices of power for 1941: 95 hp, 130 hp, 145 hp and 160 hp. In total, thirteen twenty-three foot runabouts were produced in 1941: There was one model #109, with the 95 hp engine; five model #110 with the 130 hp engine; two model 111 with the 145 hp engine; and five model #112 with the 160 hp power.  The 1941 price schedule also shows a model #113 with two 121 hp engines, but it is unlikely that this boat was ever built.  Of the 13 twenty-three foot custom runabouts produced in 1941, we can confirm the existence of six.
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Thirteen boats were produced in the 1942 Chris-Craft model year as well with the model numbers 42-15, 42-16, and 42-17.  A model 42-14 (95 hp engine) exists in the price list, but none were built.  Six model 42-15s were produced with the 130 hp engine.  Only one model 42-16 was delivered with the 145 hp engine.  There were six 42-17 boats produced which were powered by the 160 hp “W” engine. Of the 13 twenty-three foot custom runabouts produced in 1942, we can confirm the existence of six.

Twenty-five to the US…. And one to Rio

The twenty-six boats produced in 1941-42 found homes across broad distribution.  The most popular destination was Delavan, Wisconsin, where four were delivered.  Three boats went to Michigan, two went to Texas, two went to Nevada, and two went to Ohio on the same day!  We suspect three were delivered for military uses.  The most exotic location, and only non-US shipment, was #22205 to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.  Only on boat, #22208 – Bald Eagle, was shipped to and remains in it original location, Lake Hopatcong, NJ.

Our Methodology....

While we have made every effort to do exhaustive research, it’s probable that we’ve missed some boats. The Mariner’s Museum provided the hull numbers, ship dates, models, and original power information for the entire class of 26.  We’ve called many of the major dealers, suppliers and restorers, accessing the wealth of knowledge that exists in that community.  We’ve polled 40 chapters of the ACBS (and received numerous responses), again asking the Presidents of these chapters to search their vast knowledge pool for any information on this class of boats.  Even when they responded without any knowledge of these boats, that gave us reasonable confidence that we weren't missed something.

Where we were able to locate specific boats, we interviewed the current owners for current information and current photos.  Finally, we ran ads in Rudder, Brass Bell and Classic Boating asking for anyone with information on this class to contact us.  If there are boats that exist which we did not locate, they are most likely not in service or perhaps, like the boat delivered to Rio De Janeiro, not in North America.  We're still looking, if you think you know of one, send me and email!