Chris Craft Cavalier Photographs

Shes a classic midcentury beauty with great lines, sleek design and a beefy V-8 Corvette motor.
This twenty-three and half foot 1959 Chris Craft Cruisers (Cavalier) life has been spent on the cold water lakes of central Montana. Arrived in Butte, Montana by rail car in 1959, she spent her first 30 or so years slipped at the Gates of the Mountains marina and voyaged on Holter Lake.
As time passed, like any wooden (mahogany) boat, she was in need of some updating. In the 1980s she was entirely restored; engine, hull done with West Marine epoxy resin system, floor boards throughout, custom rope work and cushions, an expanded Bimini over the salon including custom zip off windows - screens, teak swim platform and a canvas slip cover.
After another 10 years or so of summer sun on the water and outside storage during harsh winter weather, she had another makeover in 2006. All the wood was stripped, sanded, and beautifully varnished; including repairs to the hull for minor wood rot. The hulls exterior was sealed and resurfaced with the West Marine epoxy resin system and repainted including the boot strip. All bright work was removed, polished, and reattached. The trailer was also updated (sanded, painted, and new bunks).
Mechanically, the inboard Corvette V-8 (283) engine was and is still quite sound. However, a new impeller (water pump equivalent) and two marine batteries are needed.
Due to a death in our family, our only choice is to let her go. She is currently in dry dock in a covered storage facility. The facility owner is selling the building, so she needs moved before Labor Day. Parting with her is truly a sacrifice. We had a long love affair with her, but now its time that someone else be able to love her too.
Wed be delighted to see her on the water again and for someone to enjoy her as much as we did!
Details: Chris Craft Cruiser.
Year: 1959.
Model: Cavalier.
Length: 23.5 feet (plus the swim platform).
Beam: 6 foot.
Engine: Corvette 283 V-8.
Gas tank: 35 gallon.
Salon: inboard, collapsible captain chairs, cup holders, depth gauge, ship to shore radio.
Cabin: sleeps 2, includes: port-a pot, sink, icebox, and movable table (holder in salon also).