Which boats would you pick?
3:41 AM
Lou Rauh: I see Chris-Craft boats as still being the most sought after. These boats were the most popular brand when they were originally built. People see a mahogany boat and think it’s a Chris-Craft even if it is not. Of the many styles that Chris-Craft made, I think the ones that will continue to be most collectible are the various “barrel backs” made from 1939 through 1942. These were made in sizes 17’, 19’, 23’ and 27’. In most people’s minds, these boats have timeless style. A group of younger buyers have begun to admire some of the post war Chris-Craft boats especially the 20’ Custom runabout made from 1946 through 1949. Capt.
Jim Shotwell: In our line it would be the 16’ Comet Gentlemen’s Racer with bright finished mahogany topsides and decks.
F. Todd Warner: The 17’ and 19’ Chris-Craft barrel backs have been continually great performers. Just a little history here, in 1980 I had three 19’ Chris-Craft barrel backs for sale, priced from $3,500-$5,000. They were a hard sell at the time. These were running, working, usable classics, in most cases excellent original examples. Today you are hard-pressed to find a good 19’ under $75,000. It now costs just shy of $150,000 to do a show quality restoration on a barrel back.
Pretty good return on investment don’t you think? I think many of the 20’ to 25’ utilities are undervalued, and among the best family boats you can buy. When you compare original cost of boats to automobiles, and see that the boats cost three to five times an average automobile of the day, it appears that boats are still undervalued. We are particularly enamored of the Canadian classics. Minett, Ditchburn, Greavette and Shepherd boats are simply beautiful, and even more rare than similar American classics.
Just about any 1930s triple cockpit boat 26’ and over is a great investment. Another observation concerns the classic cruiser market. Many marinas and boat yards no longer have the knowledge base to maintain and store classic cruisers properly. This has created an opportunity to buy more boat, dollar for dollar. Make sure you survey thoroughly, though! Fiberglass boats are coming on in popularity, too, especially Century Coronados, Arabians, Resorters and Chris-Craft XK’s and Lancers.
Peter Mellon: The area that I feel is very strong is boats with limited production. Canadian boats have long been appreciated for their craftsmanship and their low production and as such they have kept their value high. The Riva boats are also very sought after and desired especially given their low production, craftsmanship and low numbers in North America.
One can rarely open a copy of Vogue or Vanity Fair without seeing a Riva in the background of an ad promoting a high end consumer product such as a fragrance or designer apparel. Collectors of antique boats rarely feel that their collection is complete if it does not include either or both a Riva or a Canadian boat such as a Ditchburn, Minett-Shields or Greavette.
Chris Schmaltz: Any Barrelback, any Riva, Utilities under 22’. 2009 is a great opportunity for ownership!
Jim Shotwell: In our line it would be the 16’ Comet Gentlemen’s Racer with bright finished mahogany topsides and decks.
F. Todd Warner: The 17’ and 19’ Chris-Craft barrel backs have been continually great performers. Just a little history here, in 1980 I had three 19’ Chris-Craft barrel backs for sale, priced from $3,500-$5,000. They were a hard sell at the time. These were running, working, usable classics, in most cases excellent original examples. Today you are hard-pressed to find a good 19’ under $75,000. It now costs just shy of $150,000 to do a show quality restoration on a barrel back.
Pretty good return on investment don’t you think? I think many of the 20’ to 25’ utilities are undervalued, and among the best family boats you can buy. When you compare original cost of boats to automobiles, and see that the boats cost three to five times an average automobile of the day, it appears that boats are still undervalued. We are particularly enamored of the Canadian classics. Minett, Ditchburn, Greavette and Shepherd boats are simply beautiful, and even more rare than similar American classics.
Just about any 1930s triple cockpit boat 26’ and over is a great investment. Another observation concerns the classic cruiser market. Many marinas and boat yards no longer have the knowledge base to maintain and store classic cruisers properly. This has created an opportunity to buy more boat, dollar for dollar. Make sure you survey thoroughly, though! Fiberglass boats are coming on in popularity, too, especially Century Coronados, Arabians, Resorters and Chris-Craft XK’s and Lancers.
Peter Mellon: The area that I feel is very strong is boats with limited production. Canadian boats have long been appreciated for their craftsmanship and their low production and as such they have kept their value high. The Riva boats are also very sought after and desired especially given their low production, craftsmanship and low numbers in North America.
One can rarely open a copy of Vogue or Vanity Fair without seeing a Riva in the background of an ad promoting a high end consumer product such as a fragrance or designer apparel. Collectors of antique boats rarely feel that their collection is complete if it does not include either or both a Riva or a Canadian boat such as a Ditchburn, Minett-Shields or Greavette.
Chris Schmaltz: Any Barrelback, any Riva, Utilities under 22’. 2009 is a great opportunity for ownership!
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