Chris Craft 200 BR opinions

[hill392]

Going to look at a 1999 Chris Craft 200 BR tomorrow. Any one have any expierence with these boats?

 

[scrit9mm]

Re: Chris Craft 200 BR opinions

I just bought mine 2 months ago. Great boat. If you research the volvo engine tab you will find great info on the motor's. i.e. they were not made with a flapper in the exhaust line to prevent water from entering in the cylinder heads. My first time out I learned this the hard way. but as long as your motor doesnt shut down while on plane you should never see this being an issue. Good luck!!

 

[hill392]

Re: Chris Craft 200 BR opinions

Thanks for the reply. How many people can you fit on the boat? If you don't mind me asking how much did you pay? The one I found has 80hrs and the guy wants 10000.

 

[scrit9mm]

Re: Chris Craft 200 BR opinions

I have had 7 adults and 1 7 year old and 1 9 year old and it was a little cramped unless everyone was sitting down. My boat had 170 hours on it when I bought it, it was garaged kept but needed some maintenence done (impeller, battery, alternator, plugs, wires, cap, oil change). That's a pretty good price, I paid 9500.00 for mine. It was a lot more boat than what I could get for that price from other sellers. It's a great buy! We were looking at 2002-2007 boats because I wanted to stay away from as much wood as I could and I wanted snap in carpet.

 

[hill392]

Re: Chris Craft 200 BR opinions

Awesome..I currently have a 20' fish and ski and just want somthing to get a few more people in and more ski orientated. Going to look at the Chris Craft tonight. Only thing i'm concerned about is the seating arrangement. Do you have the back to back seating on the passenger side and the two seperate seats with motor cowl between them?

 

[scrit9mm]

Re: Chris Craft 200 BR opinions

I have 2 captians chairs with bolsters that slide forward and back and spin, then I have a rear bench. I had the seats in my previous boat that were front/back that would lay down to provide a bench or somewhere to lay down and I hated them!

 

[hill392]

Re: Chris Craft 200 BR opinions

The one i'm looking at has the seating configuration I mention..don't seem like it gives as much room like the set up you have.
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/boa/2476520331.html

Theres a link to it..The seating config. makes me wonder its actually a 19 footer..

 

[hill392]

Re: Chris Craft 200 BR opinions

Just got done checking out the boat. Really nice, seemed to be plenty of room, the seating configeration wasn't bad at all. The two back pads can be moved to the top to make a sun deck. Wondering what the diffrence is between 2 seats confg. vrs. the bench seat? Mabey a little more floor space with the 2 seat set up? Little more seating with the full bench? I would love to see a pic of the bench seat layout. I guess the back to back seats are for watching skiers? Got the price down to 9500..one of the rear seat pads is missing.Hmmm..Really thinking about pulling the trigger.

 

[mikeneal]

Re: Chris Craft 200 BR opinions

I have a 99 Chris Craft 200 that I bought in 2003 with only 47 hrs on it. Actually had some electrical gremlins due to sitting but has been a great boat. Very well built IMO. I currently have about 1300 hrs on it. Mine has the 5.0GL and SX drive. I agree, the seating in the CL ad looks like a 19'. I paid 14k for mine but the trailer was undersized and I knew I would have to upgrade immediately.

 

[hill392]

Re: Chris Craft 200 BR opinions

Well it seems Chris Craft offered the 2 diffrent seating options for this boat. The boat is a 20'er. I think it is 6 one way 1/2 a dozen the other as far as the seating goes. Looks like with the bench seat you loose some floor space and gain some storage and the jump seats you get a little floor space..I think I would like this boat either way..Is this a good boat for skiing? Hows the power? Whats the fuel consumption like? The guy said the bimimi top came down in the back to make a enclosed cabin. Does sound right? I can see I will have to look at it again..If I don't end up buying it tomorrow..Seems like a descent deal..I would like to wait a couple days on it.. Guy gave me the ol' " the phones been ringing off the hook" deal. What to do..what to do??

 

[scrit9mm]

Re: Chris Craft 200 BR opinions

I have only pulled skiers for 1 weekend and had no problem yanking anyone out of the water. As with any boat you will still need to place some people in the bow when pulling so it will plane. The power is great! with those 7 adults and 2 kids I topped out at 51 mph on smooth water. I havent had much time to consider fuel consumption, I was out 8am-10pm two saturday's ago then 9-1 on sunday pulling skiers, tube, and kneeboard most of that time and I only ran 1/2 tank (tank =40gallons). As far as the bimini top, the owner could have purchased that aftermarket. Either way it's sounds pretty good. I noticed he has owned it since new. This would make me believe he has an entire service history. If he has not ran it in the past year expect to replace impeller, battery, belts, tune up. If you do not get a survey, put water on it and run it to temp! At least 20-30 min. Shut it down while hot then try to restart it. Adjust trim while running and while off. I didnt get a survey and that mistake cost me about $500.00(so far), not sure what the survey would have cost. Really think about the dog house configuration and if you will be happy in the long run with it. I always feel that is the least attractive (for a buyer) set up on a boat, it makes it look dated, imo.

 

[hill392]

Re: Chris Craft 200 BR opinions

Well..think I'm oing to pass.. yeah I agree the seating does look dated..If the boat had the bench seat I would have it sitting in the shed..i like the added storage of the bench seat ..thanks for all the feedback..helped out a bunch..