The
Chris-Craft barrelback Models
In the years just prior to World
War II, Chris-Craft produced some of its most beautiful—and
now most collectable boats in history, the barrelbacks.
Barrelbacks
were characterized by a smoothly arced stern. Robert
Speltz, in Real Runabouts,
Volume One, writes, “1941 dawned with
a new Chris-Craft fleet totaling 110 models. A
lot of changes were made, especially in the runabout
division... A totally new deck and hull style is readily
visible. The rounded bow style, called the “rocket” look,
along with the “torpedo” decks which were
new in 1940, were back in 1941...All 1941 Chris-Craft
runabouts were far more stylish than in years past. Covering
boards were more curved and the “Turtleback Decks” and “Shark” bows
made the 1941 Chris-Crafts very sleek. Folding “V” windshields
were standard on all runabouts as well as greater tumblehome
on all transoms.
With the exception
of the 1937 16' Race Boat, barrelbacks were offered
from 1939 to 1942 only. By 1942 Chris-Craft was quickly
transitioning production to the war effort. Just
after the 1942 product line was solidified and introduced
in the last quarter of 1941, America entered WWII
after the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7th. Pleasure
craft were out and landing craft were in until 1945
when production was turned backed to manufacturing
models for the 1946 fleet. Click
here to see a barrelback production chart.
Model Data
1937
The very first hull design to
feature the radically “tumblehomed” stern
was the 16' Race Boat (hull series 42000-42166). It first
appeared in 1937 and continued through the 1940 model
year, with a total production quantity of 167. Many were
painted Red, White, and Blue, with a small number finished
in the traditional two-tone mahogany and walnut.
1939
The next hull reintroduced as a
barrelback design was the 19' Custom Runabout for the
model year 1939. The barrel-stern 19' Custom Runabout
(hull series 48500 through 48932) remained in production
until 1942 with a total of 433 built.
1940
In 1940, the 19' Custom continued
in its barreled form.
Joining the 19' was the 17' Deluxe—redesigned
as a barrelback (hull series 71529-71954). The little
Deluxe remained barreled until the 1942 model year with
a total build of 425.
Also in 1940 the older 22' Custom
was stretched one foot and redesigned as a barrelback.
This boat became known as the 23' Custom (hull series
22200 through 22225). Only twenty-six 23' Customs were
produced from 1940 through 1942.
The 1940 model year also saw the
introduction of the 27' Custom with the barreled styling.
There were two versions built—a standard version
and a special race version of which only two were built.
The 27' Custom (barrelback) continued through 1942 with
a total of five hulls built. Three are known to exist.
At the end of the 1940 model year
the little 16' Race Boat was discontinued and replaced
by the new (for 1941 model year) 16' Racing Hydroplane
(hull series 42501-42519). A total of nineteen 16' Hydros
were built for 1941 and 1942 model years.
1941
The 1941 model year remained consistent
with no new barrel-styled hull additions. As well, none
of the barrel models were discontinued in 1941. The
1941 barrelback line consisted of the 16' Hydroplane,
17' Deluxe, 19' Custom, 23' Custom, and the 27' Racing
Runabout.
1942
The
1942 model year remained consistent with no new barrel-styled
hull additions. As well, none of the barrel models
were discontinued in 1942. The 1942 barrelback line
consisted of the 16' Hydroplane, 17' Deluxe, 19' Custom,
23' Custom, and the 27' Racing Runabout.
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