25' 1977 Chris Craft Cavalier (or Commander?)... Any info?

[ElmoTheDestroyer]

I'm looking at a 1977 Chriscraft Cavalier... I can get it for $2100... Overall I would say it's in average condition for the year, the current owner had put a new engine in it and had the transmission rebuilt, however it needs some wiring and the cooling system hooked up. The boat owner injured in shoulder, has to relocate to a different part of the state because he wont be able to do his normal job for a couple years, no water in the area so he's getting rid of it.

I'm probably going to pay to have a survey done just to be safe, but generally speaking what can you guys/gals tell me about this boat? I know Chriscraft boats are suppose to be good boats, but beyond that I have no knowledge of them. A few questions I have would be:

1) The owner claims he was cruising at 22-25mph, using 7gph... Does that sound about right? The engine is a 305 or 307 I believe...

2) What does this boat weigh? It does not have a trailer but I'm hoping to get one so I don't have to pay moorage fees.

3) It's an inboard... I've owned several I/O's, what am I in for? Do they drive different? Better, worse? More or less problems? (I'm guess less) .. Any thoughts appreciated...

3) Generally speaking what do you guys think of these boats?

Anyway, I'll be looking forward to hearing what you guys have to say!

Thanks!

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: 25' 1977 Chris Craft Cavalier... Any info?

Re: 25' 1977 Chris Craft Cavalier... Any info?

I can't really answer your direct questions to the model. Looking at your pictures though, I would be concerned a little at the way she is sitting in the water. The bow looks low,so much so, that the stern is high.

Chris Craft made a well built boat but with any boat that old, the wood in her will be suspect.

You will be doing yourself a big favor by sea trialing her and getting that survey done. Have a mechanic check the motor out. I would guess the boat fully loaded is 6 to 8000 pounds. Maybe more depending on how wet she is.

The boat does look pretty good for her age.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: 25' 1977 Chris Craft Cavalier... Any info?

Re: 25' 1977 Chris Craft Cavalier... Any info?

That boat is over 9' beam, so if you plan to trailer her on the street, you may need to make extra plans above and beyond just hooking it up and going. With that said, I sold a trailer to a gentleman with the same boat and it appears to was able to use it.

That boat does appear to be sitting bow down, although the one at my boat club sits a bit bow down as well. Being the engine is right under the helm, it tends to put the weight more forward.

I couldn't help you with the cruise and mpg figures.

Inboard boats remove the outdrive issues, but have their own issues. Stuffing box leaks and repacking, shallow water concerns, poor handeling with a single inboard around the dock.

 

[ElmoTheDestroyer]

Re: 25' 1977 Chris Craft Cavalier... Any info?

Re: 25' 1977 Chris Craft Cavalier... Any info?

Thanks for the info so far guys... Yeah, the bow-down thing I noticed too... I think the engine being so far forward + he has a bunch of crap stored up front (everything from anchors to trolling motor mount and stuff is jammed up front. Who knows... One of the reasons I want to find a professional to look at it for me.

As far as trailering goes... After I get it from the marina its at to my house (about 60 miles), it will rarely go anywhere on a trailer. I live a block from the boat launch. It just seems silly to pay a marina to park it there, when I can drive a block, drop it in the water and go. Does bring up another question though... How can I tell what trailers would work? It has an inboard so I need to worry about the prop/shaft under the boat, which makes alot of trailers incompatible with it. Also, does it having a 9.5' beam make it need a wider trailer, or will it just stick out over the fenders/tires a little more than normal?

Thanks again!

 

[gilbau]

Re: 25' 1977 Chris Craft Cavalier... Any info?

Re: 25' 1977 Chris Craft Cavalier... Any info?

Most States have some rules on what size can be trailered, including beam, maybe best to google or check wth your local lic department .

 

[25thmustang]

Re: 25' 1977 Chris Craft Cavalier... Any info?

Re: 25' 1977 Chris Craft Cavalier... Any info?

I would first look into trailering requirements. I think you will need to get special permits and banners, but other than that it should be no issue (my neighbor tows a 12' wide boat twice a year with just signs and flags on the truck).

The trailer I sold that ended up under the exact boat your looking for was a home made trailer. It was a steel bunk trailer. The new owner did need to raise the bunks to clear the prop shaft, but once he did so, it appears (from photos of the boat now for sale) to fit without a problem. I think your best bet is to find a used bunk trailer, if you don't plan to go new.