Everything you ever wanted to know about Chris Craft Identification

but didn't know how to ask!

Classic Chris Craft Wooden Boat Identification Information
Hull Number Listing

Is My Chris Craft Boat a Runabout or a Utility?
When describing a classic wood boat, the term "runabout" generally refers to a boat with one, two or three cockpits. The engine in a runabout is under either a single-hinged hatch, or double hatches. The boat pictured at the left is a runabout. Utility models differ from runabouts in that they usually have one large open area, and the engine is under a box made of varnished or upholstered wood. A few models in the 1960's had fiberglass engine boxes.

Is My Chris Craft a Classic Boat or an Antique Boat?
Generally speaking, the designation "antique" is reserved for boats manufactured before WWII, and "classic" refers to boats built after the war, but before the beginning of the fiberglass era.

Where is My Hull Number?
Chris Craft put their hull numbers in several places on each boat. You will have to find your hull number to use this chart. The first place to look is the top side of the engine stringer. The stringer is one of two wood frames that run the length of the bottom of the boat. Your engine is bolted to the stringers. The hull number is stamped into the wood near the engine. Sometimes over-zealous restorers sand off the hull number on the stringer, but fortunately Chris-Craft stamped the number in several places. If you don't find it on the stringer, check the seat frames and the side of the engine hatch. You are looking for numbers stamped right into the wood, not a metal tag.

Chris-Craft Inboard Wooden Runabout Models: