1956 Chris Craft Constellation Walk-Through Live-Aboard Boat
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- čas přidán 4. 06. 2022
- A walk-through of my vintage 1956 46' Chris Craft Constellation live aboard wooden boat. This is the "before" video, how it looked when I bought this beautiful old yacht. Cant wait to start fixing it up and getting it ready for the sea!
Boat lingo...
When I said stairs, what I really meant was the boarding ladder. 😉
When I said Drive the boat, what I really meant was, piloting the boat 😁
When I said the brains of the business, what I meant to say was, Cockpit or Helm 🤫
When I said bedroom, I meant to say cabin or berth 👌
And the bow bedroom is called a v berth 🍻
The living room is called the salon 👍
Right after this video upload I found a second toilet, a secret toilet! In boat lingo a toilet is called a head
A bathroom toilet on any boat is called, "the head."
Originally that was over the side discharge which outlawed 30 years ago, need to hook it up to a holding if you’re going to use it.
Sure would like an update on your Chris Craft,I keep checking to see if you've post anything, starting to wonder if she caught on fire or sunk😄
@@jeffreysearle2996 Under US flag its legal to dump in international waters.
@@pgnandt no kidding Mr. helper
A boat like this does not “date,” and will forever be a “tasteful classic.” Well done, my friend.
When I was 2nd mechanic at a marina, my boss would always inspect potential trade-ins from the bottom up. Especially wood boats.
“It doesn’t matter what’s topside if you don’t like what’s happening below deck.”
Absolutely. The transom on the woodies need to be sound and can be a deal breaker if they need to be re & we'd.
She is tired
For being 67 years old it’s in pretty good shape, you have a lot of woodwork refinishing to do and some odds and ends to fit your lifestyle, the beauty can definitely be brought back with this gem, it’s a true testament to ChrisCraft quality, good luck on your venture.
You can't beat an old Chris Craft ...She's Beautiful, Real Cozy Look.
back in the 50s, we had a 20" Chris Craft cabin cruiser. this brings back fond memories.
There is so much promise with this boat. Every single inch of wood can have that deep mirror tiger pattern finish and brought back to life. Hope the engines and electricals are not going to be a headache. With new technologies you will be able mix and match it the way you want it. You will probably gain some acreage even inside and out. Just wow! A labor of love and you can make the WOW factor sky rocket.
Cool old boat. As the former owner of one I can tell you, if you invest $100,000 fixing her up, she will be worth $30,000. Good luck!
When you opened that door....i could feel a noggin begin to raise my forehead...a tear might have fell😅😅😅😂..😢
Cool Yacht and would be nice to see her brought back to life , for 36 years i owned a 1968 57 foot Chris Craft Connie and with just 5 hours of work each week keeping up with odds and ends she still looked brand new in 2010 when i sold her
Oh love to see a picture
Absolutely beautiful Constellation thank you for Sharing her with us
Wow. As a starting point that’s a killer boat. We’ve all heard of Chris Craft all our lives. Once it’s been refurbed it will be a treasure.
What a wonderful boat and lovely time capsule of the 50s. Hope to see it in it's full vintage glory.
Thank you!
The fly bridge makes her lines much better. These old boats are surely worth saving if possible.
Ok, you're awesome for buying and keeping alive a 1956 Chris Crafts Constellation. I'm a huge fan of the 1955to 1965 cruisers. Twin engine sound. Cruise at 17 knots at any 25 GPH. Try that in a modern boat you'll be drinking 40 GPH.
Don't have time to watch now, definitely will later. Gorgeous!
It's a place to live and it's yours ok no different to restoring an old house , fantastic buddy go for it 👍
I just found your channel. Absolutely gorgeous boat. I can’t wait to see more of your story.
Thanks very much! There's some other videos on the boat. Be sure to have a look
Love the old Chris Crafts… beautiful
Thank you very much for the comment. It's an old beauty 🍺
fun boat, i’ll be watching, was a sea scout in my youth, always loved boats, you’re living the dream. Rock on
You found a survivor! A dream project. Congratulations. I hope you know, BOAT means Break Out Another Thousand. If you have given up, maybe I can take her off your to do list.
She's gonna be a beauty when your done.
Beautiful old boat. Should be sea worthy in no time. I’ve always wanted a Chris Craft Speed boat from the 50s with early Hemi or Cadillac power.
Thanks Sheldon. I'm pretty excited about it, it's going to be fun! It has twin 6-cylinder Detroit diesels in it, woot 👍👍
She’s absolutely stunning. I know I’m a year late, but I love her energy.
Such a cool video! Thank you for sharing this treasure.
Ouff! Lots of work and lots of $$$$
One thing for certain is that owning a boat like this you must realize you will never fix everything. One thing guaranteed is that you will never be bored. Never be without aspirations.
She's a beauty. Even if you are not a mariner, you can really appreciate the craftsmanship and skill that went into building those old boats. The wood looks pristine and makes you remember how quality is supposed to look...and last. Fair winds.
Thanks Craig. I agree with you., top knotch workmanship. They even matched the grain on the teak decking.😳 Going to be a fun project 🍻👍
The wood does NOT look pristine, looks like it has been neglected for many years. Ron USCG RET
That is a wonderful looking Chris Craft. My dad had a 30’ one with twin gas engines. It was his pride and joy for many years.
Such a beautiful old boat
Thanks for the comment 👍. I think so too. Have a great weekend 👍🍻
What a beautiful boat, she would look so pretty restored with all that wood...
Agreed 👍
What a classic, sandpaper, sparvar and caulk are going to be your life for years. I absolutely love that galley
I'm so jealous of you. Too bad you are on the other side of the continent. I'd love to help you restore this beautiful lady.
Gorgeous find! She's only three years younger than I am and in better shape! It is a helluva project boat for a liveaboard. Been in love with Chris Craft since my grandfather owned one in Michigan. A "secret head" is a gift from the builders, who really had the owners' needs first in their minds. Love the details in this one, the curvaceous steps, the mid-century light fixtures in the salon, the woodwork, the galley is BEGGING for a restoration. Bring on the shine! (That flying bridge is absolutely NOT original, needs to be curved and glassed in.)
About 2 years ago a "Constelation" passed through St-Jn-sur Rich, headed South. Mint . Original condition. Absolutely Beautiful.
A sight to see I bet! 🤠👍
That's absolutely a work of art. Being six-foot-six I can appreciate the headroom. I have a 71 35 ft Owens that I bought specifically because I could stand up in it 😂 with twin 454s I couldn't afford to run it. I doubled my money with a little better repair to it getting rid of it. It really was cool as hell. I think I follow to see how you make out with this beautiful Chris-Craft ✌️🇺🇲
This brings back Wonderful memories. For several summers in the '60s I skippered a 55 foot 1955 Connie hardtop owned by a resort hotel. Powered by twin DDA 6-71's, it bunkered 550 gallons Diesel in two 275 gallon tanks in the lazeret with a 200 gallon water tank between them. Capable of well over 20 knots at about 2250RPM and 25-30Gal/Hr, it was not the most economical craft you could find, but it surely was a chick magnet! At a more sedate 1750 RPM, it handled well and would respond well even in the occasional squall. With careful handling you could make it go sideways for a bit and turn it 180 degrees in 60-70 feet. Along with the 32 volt underway power, shore power was the standard 110 volts and an independent 1 cylinder Diesel 110v generator for being away from the dock.
(I was wondering about the forward head. So tiny you had to leave it to change your mind, at least neither head had those awful holding/pumpout tanks!)
Altogether a cush boat, a marvelous job and wonderful time for me. Best wishes on your ORIM (Overhaul, Repair, Improvement, and Modernization) program!
Classic beauty, so groovy.
I grew up on a 1954 32' Chris Craft Commander. Wonderful boat, but needy in time and attention to keep her ship shape. You have a grand old dame there, but I don't envy the work it's going to take to make her shine again.
Thank you for the info and wonderful comment. Have a great weekend 👍👍
I've only known two old Chris Crafts, one was a constellation, but for me the salon has a ton of charm. Hope you feel like keeping as much brightwork as possible. Walking in to a big salon with a helm forward is a beautiful moment.
Far out & AWESOME... Good luck with your Connie....
Beautiful old Chris Craft! My dad bought a tiny version of that boat when I was little in the Puget Sound. I remember the sanding and polishing of that beautiful old wood. The quality of the fittings was superb. Great times
Thanks for sharing
Make sure to get a marine-grade LPG detector. As propane is heavier than air, it can fill up the bilge undetected and cause a fire or explosion.
Thanks for the heads up Paul. Definitely will pick one up 👍👍
I’ll dump the LP altogether. You can get a day or three burner electric stove unit to put on top there were the burners were. And then on top for the microwave with the new combo oven/air fryer. No that would be peaceful. I mean lease peaceful in your mind.
Noice Find Sir; I have always loved these Chris Craft boats. That one is an unbelievable find. I look forward to seeing it come along. She's a beauty 💯%.
Thank you very much 👍🍺
Very cool find, Jimmy! Requires some elbow grease but I'm certain you have a good supply of that! Thanks for the tour, will be anxious for updates. Stay safe, sir, and enjoy this beauty.
Thanks Carol. I've got some grease on my elbows and ready to roll 😂. It should be an interesting summer, possibly cosplay 🤔
as a huge fan of wooden autos I think this is the ultimate in boats the woirk put into it just goes on and on good luck with it ill be following !!!!!
Thank Mike 👍. So far it's been interesting and a learning experience. Just installed a wood stove and everything is great. Knock on wood 😁🍺
Awesome project and beats a daily hotel stay… And relaxing to sit in the marina!
Thanks Matthew. That's what I'm thinking, definitely better than bouncing around. My floating cabin LOL. On that note. I'm actually looking into a mini wood burning stove and then I'd be good to go. Eventually I'll take it up the coast to a quieter location, hopefully by the September it'll be ready to go.
@@JimmyMeatwhistle Fill that frig with Old Milwaukee before you cruise! 😜
Funny you mention that now. I'm messing with the original fridge right now and I think it's good to go. I just need some new gaskets around the doors and I'll be stuffing it full of beer, haha!
Beautiful ,, enjoy 😊
Thank you!
Chris Craft from 1956, before I was born & you too and its in good shape. That little engine in between , is it a generator?. Those Venetian blinds are a Christ Craft original feature I think, so depending on hoe original you want to keep it, choice is yours. I remember having a model of a Chris Craft when I was a kid back in the 60's, it had a little battery motor. It had simulated blinds on the windows too.
About fifteen years back, I was on board a 44 foot Chris Craft on the River Shannon in Ireland. The owners told me they got for a very good price. It had been impounded by the Irish revenue and Irish navy in a drugs bust off the south coast. It was a beautiful boat. I think the association with a drugs bust made it a little of an unwanted item, so the price kept dropping.
Anxious to see your progress.
I'm 12:00 into your video .... Pretty sure this used to be my boat.
She should have white oak framing with mahogany on the outside hull ... The interior should all be white oak except for the decking or floor which is teak and Holly. The outside deck should entirely be teak except for on top of the fly bridge which was the original Chris Craft panels that you showed and said need to be replaced. Those are easy to be replaced but make sure you check the plywood underneath because that can get easily damaged. And if you replace it make sure you replace it with marine plywood.*
*A lot has been changed since we sold that boat .... But if you want to burn the fuel, I know for a fact that that boat will pull two teenage wakeboarders.*
man! I used to have a 1959 Roamer, ,I think it was a 28 ft or something like that, it was an all steel boat, weighted a little over 16,000 lbs, had 2 6 cylinder inline engines, a 2 cylinder generator, galley and head, it was a awesome boat, they definitely don't make them like that anymore . I wish I still had it...
Very cool! Thanks for the comment 👍. They are VERY cool boats. There is a minty Cavalier not far from my boat, will see if they will let me do tour of it
@@JimmyMeatwhistle that would be great to see, I love all of the old CC boats, most of them are awesome watercraft, if it only didn't take so much $$$ to get them back the way they should be done....
Wow..... the optimism is staggering.
If I had the money I’d dive into that pit! 😂🎉
Lovely old boat which equals a ton of work and upkeep. That said you get an awesome boat. I've always said if I got something like this I'd epoxy and glass the bottom to the water line at least to seal out the water ingress. First thing I'd do though is try and get it's top sides sealed to stop rain water ingress.
Thanks for the awesome comment period yes, getting it dried in is the main thing at the moment. I have re caulked the teak deck 👍
The galley is awesome.
Chris Craft legends beauties
Excellent. Great way to beat the hotel thing.
Is that the ENTERAINER!?!?
I'm pretty sure it was my grandfather's boat at one time. I recognize the dolphins and the red velvet seat.
Very cool! I have a list of all the owners and can let you know for sure. What was your grandfather's last name?
The wood just Beautiful
Beautiful boat!
Thank you 👍
She's a beauty! And that kitchen with the fridge, freezer, and sweet propane stove is incredible! They really knew how to style these things in the '50s & '60s! Congratulations, Liked & Subscribed!
Thank you Paul for the awesome comment. Much appreciated. I'm actually enjoying this quite a bit. Doing a little something everyday. Very rewarding 👍🍻
@@JimmyMeatwhistle I look forward to your videos. Any idea who made that kitchen? The fridge, freezer and stove? They’re so cool looking and really reflect the overall mid century modern esthetic of the boat.
The stove is Shipmate. See link below. It just needs to be hooked up to the propane and it looks like it's ready to go. Still working on that and I want to get the fridge going because it's a big huge, and I could use the space by getting rid of the beer fridge. All the components are working, I think it just needs to be recharged. I can't remember the name but it's a well-known old school name I'll dig it up here over the weekend and let you know.
Here's the quick stove video
czcams.com/video/F_hh_o4Zkb4/video.html
@@JimmyMeatwhistle So cool! It’s a tiny home on waves!
Look at that wood , so nice
This is a huge project
Love it. Lucky boy.
OK, I do dig the classic boat. Best of luck.
She’s a beauty, I am looking forward to all your retrofits and repairs. make sure you shut off your LPG gas at the tank when not in use. All that old stuff has a tendency to leak LPG.
Thanks for the comment and information. Much appreciated. Have a great week 👍
Hi Jimmy that’s a beautiful boat. I love all the finishes. The deck will be beautiful when done. The deck is large. It’s in good shape for the age. Once again you did well. When finished it’ll be a beauty! I love all the wood in the inside!
Thank you Nancy.! Yeah, it's going to be great I think. I think I'm going to put a wood stove in it. 😁
@@JimmyMeatwhistle that would be a good idea. You want to keep warm!
He he he
Has this dude ever been on a boat? Knows the actual name and function of everything. Good luck Ahab! Glug glug glug... --50 year waterman
Wow, Bruce, you're my hero 🤣🍺👍
Beautiful boat
Big table under the tv is for charts.
Ahhh man in no time at all she’s gonna look a million bucks 😍 hope you’re well my friend cheers 🍻
Thanks my friend. It's going to be a fun project, hopefully 😁
Looks in very nice condition for her age!, but you have allot of restoration or refinishing to do, but, that’s half the fun of an old boat🙂
I look forward to more .
WOW! Congratulations! I am excited for us- You have the boat and I have the boat with no headaches. LOL
Subscribed
Thanks and have an awesome weekend 👍👍
Just found this, so I know it's belated sentiment, but congrats Jimmy ! I know you were excited to own this beautiful piece of nautical history. I'm hoping you did follow ups on this project. Thanks for sharing !
Wow...that Chris Craft is in really good condition for it's age, you can tell the workmanship of a CC is second to none. The wood floors are beautiful works of art, I should say the whole boat for that matter. It's a great boat to take folks out on the sea...but then again as you say..."or not", Lol! Looking forward to your future videos as you work on it....I got it all figured out, your next plan will be building one of those awesome cabins on a beautiful secluded island, eh?
Steve
Thanks Steve 🤟. Definitely going to be a fun project for sure! Yes, I need a cabin on a remote island with a fence around it LOL 👍👍
Yes sir, this Chris Craft is well weather worn and worse for wear. My elbows got sore just thinking about how much grease and spit shining you'll devote to the wood and metal fittings. Underneath it all is definitely one gorgeous boat and a beautiful example of marine carpentry and joinery
My family had a 1958 42 Connie so much comes to mind when I saw your boat. On the outside it will be allot of work to clean and seal the teak. The extended hardtop and bridge are very unusual. I wonder if you have 4-71 or 6-71 GM diesels. The rear lazarette hatch on the back deck of our boat used to get stuck and we needed to get that open to fill the water tank. Inside allot looks to be original except the flooring which is nice. We had same stove which worked well. We kept a block of ice in refrigerator for being underway (no generator) and the ice lasted long time since refrigerator was used often. Many older boats had fuel tanks under bunks in aft stateroom…big beds did not come into style till many years later. You have many of the old 12 volt light fixtures which worked well. Back in 1956 (or 1958) the bilge pumps did not have float switches and I remember the on/off switch was in the engine room. After hitting a log we upgraded bilge pumps to automatic. Very surprised there was no forward (enclosed) head…I sense there was originally a toilet under the cushion next to bunk. Most people used canvas window covers for the large front salon window…..we would take ours off only when running the boat. A great boat !
OMG I hate you! (Not really...just jealous.) That boat is so classy and gorgeous now, so I can only imagine what the finished product will look like. When I clicked on this video I knew within the first 5 mins whether I would continue watching or sign out when I saw your love of all that is original and that you weren't going to start ripping everything old out. Especially when one of the first things you said you loved was that chair. (Good taste, so consider me a subscriber.) *Warning: Rambling will now start* My ex and I had purchased a 32ft Trojan yrs ago and on our first weekend out we were having a blast with friends and then on Sunday were heading back to marina in Gananoque when I was asked to steer. With no experience and no understanding of the bouy system, I was just given it to her (idiot), and ended up hitting rocks which ripped the prop out leaving a lovely hole which started filling engine compartment with water. I freaked but we managed to eventually plug the hole so we didn't sink, thank the Newfie Gods! Lol. The kicker was that this happened on a Sunday and our insurance didn't kick in till Monday. $5000 thousand later and it was repaired.
Great boat! Plenty of potential!
Thank you, and thanks for the comment 👍🍻
Sweet👍👍👍🤟
Envy you. What a great project. I lived on a sailboat for years when in my early 20's in Cal. port of L.A. but they only allow a very small percentage to be liveaboards and they can take years to get one. So you had no problem , not sure where this boat is at. But I missed what you paid for it and what your slip rent is. Very curious. Very envious. Wish I had the bank account and could fill my days just restoring such a beauty.
Hi Patrick thanks for the comment and info. It's a beauty old boat that is for sure. Unfortunately I'm limited to working on it in the evenings and weekends as I'm working throughout the week. 👍🍻
I'm on the west coast of Canada in the salty Pacific 😁. I actually purchased this with the money I made off of buying and selling old vehicles.
Worm heaven...
i had a 32' CC steel hull. 1964,twin 327's. the hole in the ceiling was for your mast light.
Thats a great find! Congrats! Also, That CC Essential Guide book is sell ing for over $300...not that you would want to
Yup takes me down memory lane I had one exactly the same some fr
Um but a pain in the butt to maintain
Brother i am jealous. One day though, if it kills me....green water, the smell of fuel, fish, food and fire! Kids running wild and the ladies too! I miss my childhood!
Gorgeous
Looks like you bought my old boat, before we sold her to buy the 65 footer. Sad to see the shape does in now . And yes, we added that fly bridge. And she should have a 29 ft bridge clearance if it is exactly the same boat.
Wow! The fly bridge is in rough shape. I was thinking that the fly bridge was a factory option? When was it added? Thanks again for the information 👍
Love the spray can of "Bullshit Repellant" - should be one of these in every home lol 💯
The teak wood throughout is gorgeous. Original fire extinguisher is awesome to display; but, ya gotta get at least 3 new extinguishers (sorry, it's the retired insurance agent in me talking) ... stainless steal in bath & kitchen areas minty, attractive & highly functional, easy to keep clean too. Love the entire boat layout. Looking forward to seeing ur work in progress and the finished project. You are gonna have SO much fun working on this one! Congrats Captain Jimmy ⛵🗺
Thanks! There is a couple " newer" extinguishers around here but they must be expired. The layout is pretty awesome and I found a secret hidden toilet 😁
@@JimmyMeatwhistle ooooh...secret toilet?? Where🕵👀👀👀
Hey, at the end I saw some crabs scurry under the clear water...love crabs & beer 🍺. They are definitely too small now; but, by the end of July u should get lots of big boys to throw a crab feast on board 🦀😎 🍻
Any idea what ur gonna name her??
dude that kitchen is so cool. hope you can get everything back to working order
Very cool!
Thanks buddy. It's going to be a fun little project. Or big project, I don't know. LOL
She's in nice shape for the year .
Could be worse right? :)
@@JimmyMeatwhistle I have a 1967 Broom Captain 30 with a teak deck similar to yours. My deck Leaks 😭 and I suspect yours will as well. It will need recaulking . Best of luck with the refit.
Good to see some Canadian content on this subject and your in Victoria, BC. (me also) I look forward to the restoration.
I would NEVER walk around that edge...WOW! it looks like youve got your work cut out.....Those Summers with the guys working on that engine😅😅😅😅
Congrats on the boat i owned a 1964 Connie i restored years ago. i do beleive your Flybridge is a home built one but looks to be a Well done one and a excellent job at recreating what Chris Craft offered as a Option back then i’ve spent many hours looking at original Brochures of many years but mostly Connie’s as i have a Personal attachment to that model overall your boat looks like she is in good shape and will be a nice Live Aboard for a Single Guy it’s also really cool you have the Deisels i don’t know why but one of my favorite items on your Vintage are the round deck Hatches i wouldn’t be too suprised if your Fridge and Freezer works perfectly fine those old ones were built to last and the Refridgerant didn’t leak on my 1964 the original Fridge worked great for over one year than it wound up crapping out on the Cold Plate and wasn’t Cost effective to repair i wound up putting a Dorm style fridge on the Counter top the one i puchased was physically the outside dimensions of the original and i thought i might install it in the spot the original one was yet we didn’t that fridge became a Bait / Beer Fridge on my next Sport Bridge Fishing Boat
Thanks for the awesome comment and information. Much appreciated. This has been a great project so far, really looking forward to the next phase. Interior is pretty much done and I'll get a video up on the complete interior soon. All my deck teak caulking is complete as well as the teak oil. Most of the windows I've recaulked so hopefully it'll stay somewhat dry this rainy season. Have a great week and again, thank you very much 👍🍻
Best wishes! I hope you love it!
Thank you Jean, much appreciated! So far so good, it's very cool 👍
Nice...Go to Dickinson Diesel Heater best installation ever. It would heat your boat up and has a cool fire effect. Leave any questions or comments and will reply back...best...SV Aquila.
You have a great boat. Please try to keep as much of the original woodwork and fittings. Check if the water in the bilge is salty that would indicate hull leakage. Good luck on the restoration. Awaiting more videos of the rebuild. 👍🏻😊
Waiting for Part 2