Chris Craft 251 Catalina Express
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suwanneered
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- Dec 5, 2006
- RO Number
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I had a 1984 CC 280 which is a single engine 28 footer and it was and is still a great boat.I now have a 38 foot Chris Craft 1967 model which I am restoring the older Chris crafts were very heavy built.
I had one for many years. Nothing bad to say about it other than the rail fittings were zamac, which in salt water don't stay nice looking very long. The late 70's boat model is Express, not Catalina. You can tell the difference by the shape of the side panels below the windshield side wings. If the edge of the side panels and the windshield wings are in a straight line, the boat is an express. If the edge of the windshield wing and the edge of the side panels form an angle, it is a Catalina.
tugboat kevin
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- Jan 25, 2007
- RO Number
- 24998
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we repowered a catalina with a 325 horse vortech with the rock grinder trans the results were stunning to redo i would change the gearing a bit to run a larger prop the boat ran over 35 mph and planed off very easy and stayed pretty flat what a great hull theres one at the marina they want 2g or less and it still sits what a shame theres a lot of room in those and the hulls are indeed tough that the good old green glass when you look at it
I have the bigger brother and all in all it is a very capable boat. Easy on the budget and simple to maintain. There is a very long discussion specifically on the 251 and some guys who refurbished theirs on another Boat site. Some very knowledgeable owners. You might try a google search -- if you can't find it, let me know.
I have the twin engined 281. Great boat. Not too big, not too small, easy to handle.
It is a tough boat. Been thru 2 serious hurricanes in a 3 year period. Still going.
The hull is great. The only problems I have seen in other Catalina's is from the owners.
BoatUS forums have a lot of 251 owners.
It is a tough boat. Been thru 2 serious hurricanes in a 3 year period. Still going.
The hull is great. The only problems I have seen in other Catalina's is from the owners.
BoatUS forums have a lot of 251 owners.
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2005
- RO Number
- 18025
- Messages
- 1,344
Here is our 1985 Chris Craft Scorpion that we have owned for 22 years. She sits next to our Trojan in the picture.
We always loved Chris Craft before Chris Craft was sold in the late 1980's. Chris Craft was the boat all others wanted to be back then. Hey if Miami Vice trusted Chris Craft when the series started... you have me sold. LOL...
Just check the boat out and or get a survey if needed.
We always loved Chris Craft before Chris Craft was sold in the late 1980's. Chris Craft was the boat all others wanted to be back then. Hey if Miami Vice trusted Chris Craft when the series started... you have me sold. LOL...
Just check the boat out and or get a survey if needed.
Based on the CC 251 behind me, I believe you are correct! Washed 1 or 2x per year. Used 2x all last season. The reason I am looking at it is I got an un-solicited buyer on my Santego yesterday (for the right price she's for sale)
The CC has a new motor and borg warner tranny, new bottom paint and hull is in great shape. From the rubrail up is a different story, needs some glass work - a lot of spider-web cracks where the railing bolted on and a lot of TLC needed.
I have a '78 251. I repowered mine with a 350/BW some time ago. There is a difference between the '78 and the early 80's. The early 80's added a keel - something that adds some sorely missed stability in the Delaware Bay with our wave frequency. It is a very capable river and near inshore boat (I won't go out of sight of land with a single engine). Spider cracks in the gelcoat are very common, both topside and under the water line. At this point it's 30 year young and that's what you should expect. The gelcoat cracks are typically cosmetic in nature under the water line since the hull is all fiberglass. You should repair or at least keep an eye on those in the floor or under the stantions. Re-bed anything that has spider cracks coming out of it and clean-up the screw holes to prevent water intrusion. The boat weighs in at about 4,600 lbs and you should expect to get about 8GPH with a 305 or 350. Max speed will be around 25 knots depending on the engine and prop tuning.
If you buy this boat I have a source for most of the hardware. Although you won't find the throttle mechanism available anymore. The seats are still available and the wood the seats are attached to is easily replaced. The windows in the bow will probably leak and that window manufacturer is out of business. Unless it's been neglected, they can go as high as about $7,500. One in poor shape can go for $500. Hopefully the gelcoat above the water line has not been painted. You can expect to get a good (not great) shine out of it with wax restorer.
If it has the hardtop option, it demands a second look.
If you buy this boat I have a source for most of the hardware. Although you won't find the throttle mechanism available anymore. The seats are still available and the wood the seats are attached to is easily replaced. The windows in the bow will probably leak and that window manufacturer is out of business. Unless it's been neglected, they can go as high as about $7,500. One in poor shape can go for $500. Hopefully the gelcoat above the water line has not been painted. You can expect to get a good (not great) shine out of it with wax restorer.
If it has the hardtop option, it demands a second look.
Stephen / Rduhon,
If my un-solicited buyer actually buys my Carver, I'll be in touch!
Thanks for the feedback!
I did mention the boat to an experienced and older boat fiberglass man and he said "stay away" with a general warning of a history rotten transoms / flooring, etc in this vintage CC.
Without a inspection by me and a survey by a professional, not sure how you could make a general statement like that
AJ
If my un-solicited buyer actually buys my Carver, I'll be in touch!
Thanks for the feedback!
I did mention the boat to an experienced and older boat fiberglass man and he said "stay away" with a general warning of a history rotten transoms / flooring, etc in this vintage CC.
Without a inspection by me and a survey by a professional, not sure how you could make a general statement like that
AJ
I love the generalization about the 251. For what it's worth, my transome is 100% fiberglass, about 1/4 inch thick. No wood to rot there. Would only apply if there is an I/O which needs the support of a wood cored transome. Opps, boat is an inboard.
As for the decks, definately something to watch for as with every boat of that age. Good luck.
My Dad had a '79 25' Chris Craft Catalina - great boat - pretty simple, solid glass hull, had issues with the gas tank and one point & I think he dded additional filters and it worked fine. I remember the mechanic telling him it was a galvanized tank? and the galvanization was flaking off or something to that effect - I don't know for sure. Nice riding boat.
I have no wood in the hull or transom at all. There is some in the floors, but all floors and decks are solid as a rock.
My only issue is there are no room in the engine room. I have twin engines, batteries, generator, 125 gal. alum. gas tank, poop tank, mufflers... ect. The boat is solid.
My only issue is there are no room in the engine room. I have twin engines, batteries, generator, 125 gal. alum. gas tank, poop tank, mufflers... ect. The boat is solid.