Cruiser
Name/Title
CruiserEntry/Object ID
2001.007Description
Accession Number: 2001.007 Type: Cruiser Builder: Chris-Craft Model: Super Deluxe Semi-Enclosed Length: 27'7" Beam 8.5' Date Built: 1953 The semi enclosed cruiser style offered fishing guides a boat that was roomy, fast, able and ideally suited for a full day on the water to do some serious fishing. This wonderfully maintained boat was the real thing. It was the pride and joy of a highly successful Thousand Islands fishing guide when it was given to the Antique Boat Museum. The boat is still fully equipped for fishing with aerated live bait wells, fresh water fish tanks, rod holders, electronic fish finders, depth finder, and tools. This is just the way it was presented to the Museum for its permanent collection. It is a perfect example of a well-designed, well-equipped St. Lawrence River professional fishing guide's boat in excellent condition and was ready for its next outing. The Chris Craft Semi-Enclosed Cruiser provides visitors with a glimpse of an excellent example of a fifty-year-old classic fishing craft still in use in the Thousand Islands. It should be of particular interest to everyone who enjoys fishing and is curious on how a guide's boat looks. EVS 09 Addition to existing file: This Chris Craft was donated with the idea that it would be used by the museum. Jim Brabant donated two spare engines, one of each rotation, to go with the boat, along with a great deal of spare parts, including manifolds, oil pans, bendix gears, gaskets, seals, starters, etc etc etc. Of the two spare engines, one, the left hand motor s/n K1104603 is brand new, and the other was rebuilt just prior to donation. Jim had also had an enclosure made for the back which came with the boat though not currently installed. It was made by Gordon Kenyon at Mariner's Marine, who used to work for Hutchinson. There is also a spare forward hatch. Also donated with the boat was the sign which hung over Brabant's downtown Clayton office, which reads "Clayton Fishing Charters". The spare engines and the sign are currently in Barn 4, all the other items have been moved to the Doebler building. All of the spare parts are stored in the Doebler Building, on the shelving on the West wall. They are: 2001.007.A - A cardboard box labeled "Brabant, old dash board." 2001.007.B - A cardboard box labeled "Brabant, chrome deck and cabin hardware, 1 pair sidelights." 2001.007.C - A cardboard box labeled "Brabant, new valve seats, used push-rods, used fuel pump, dipstick, crank seals." 2001.007.D - A cardboard box labeled "Brabant, misc bolts new and used, shaft couplers w/ bolts, engine mount." 2001.007.E - A cardboard box labeled "Brabant, carburetor for parts, 3 carb rebuild kits" 2001.007.F - A bin containing 5 spare flywheels and related parts, and a timing guide. 2001.007.G - A bin containing two spare intake manifolds for the Chrysler Slant 6, very rusty. 2001.007.H - A bin containing parts in small boxes, spark plugs, bendix drives, spare fuel pump. 2001.007.I - A bin containing two spare sets of props (4 props total) and spare gasket meterial. 2001.007.J - A bin with two small boxes of parts, labeled valves, springs, pistons, water pump parts. 2001.007.K - A bin containing cam covers and oil pans for the Chrysler Slant 6 2001.007.L - A bin containing 2 push plates, caseing pieces, related parts. 2001.007.M - Spare crankshaft. 2001.007.N - Spare camshaft. 2001.007.O - Spare exhaust manifold. 2001.007.P - Spare exhaust manifold. 2001.007.Q - A cardboard box labeled "Brabant, Chrysler wiring harness w/ dash and gauges." 2001.007.R - A brown tackle box containing small parts like spark plugs, bolts, and manuals. 2001.007.S - Spare transmission, seemingly new or rebuilt. 2001.007.T - A bin containing two green-painted cabinet doors, a chrome handle on a copper pipe, one throttle lever on it wood mount, some spare vinyl flooring. 2001.007.U - A cardboard box labeled "Brabant, Underwater Parts, Strusts, Logs, Bolts" 2001.007.V - A cardboard box labeled "Brabant, oil pumps, timing gears / chain, piston rings." 2001.007.W - A steering wheel and gear for the boat, standard on many mid-50s Chris Crafts. 2001.007.X - A long linkage, probably steering, with sqaure sockets. 2001.007.Y - A stack of head gaskets. 2001.007.Z - Mahogany and chrome forward hatch, standard on many mid 50s Chris Crafts. 2001.007.A2 - A bin containing small wood and metal pieces, mostly parts of rear enclosure. 2001.007.B2 - a small bundle of mahogany and chroms pieces, all part of the custom rear enclosure. 2001.007.C2 - Mahogany plywood door, part of rear enclosure. 2001.007.D2 - Mahogany plywood panel with one window, part of rear enclosure. 2001.007.E2 - Same as above, opposite side. 2001.007.F2 - Spare set of rudders, flagpole, something else. 2001.007.F3 - Box of material salvaged from rebuild of transom framing winter of 2012-2013Collection
BoatsAcquisition
Accession
2001.007Source or Donor
Brabant, James J.Made/Created
Manufacturer
Chris-CraftDate made
1953Place
Location
Algonac, MI USANotes
Early Date: 1953 Propulsion: Inboard, gasoline Engine: twin Chrysler 210 hp MPH: 32 HP: 420Dimensions
Width
8-1/2 ftLength
28 ftLocation
Bartlett Point Barn 4
Bartlett Point Barn 1
*Cleveland E. Dodge Memorial Launch Building
Bartlett Point Barn 3