Runabout
Name/Title
RunaboutEntry/Object ID
2006.007.1Description
2006.007 Boat Type: Runabout Builder: Chris Craft Model: 19' Silver Arrow hull no. SA-19-022 Original Power: Dearborn Interceptor 215, s/n 351764 Current Power: Original Length: 18' 9" Beam: 6' 5" Draft: 20" Date Built: 1958 In the 1950s, materials like fiberglass and aluminum were allowing new boat companies to experiment with tail fins and other odd shapes that were a sharp departure from the traditional runabout. These boats were also mostly painted solid colors, another departure from the varnished mahogany of the traditional runabout. With the Silver Arrow, Chris Craft was responding to this trend, making a boat with tail fins and a shiny silver paint job that looked nothing like the double and triple cockpit runabouts that had been the company's bread and butter since the 1920s. The Silver Arrow is a wood and fiberglass hybrid, made of spruce and covered with fiberglass. The bottom also has a layer of ¼" plywood. The boat was offered with two different engines, the Chris Craft KFL, a straight six, or the Dearborn Interceptor V8, which is the engine that this one has. This model was only in production for two years, 1958 and 59, and only 92 were made; a tiny fraction of Chris Craft's overall production. Despite the short run, the Silver Arrow is a memorable boat, for its radical design and construction. This is number 22, made in 1958. This boat is in fair condition, having been recently restored and then improperly put up for a few years. The boat was shrinkwrapped, and unfortunately the heat-gunning caused the paint to bubble in several places. It must have gotten very moist inside of the shrinkwrap, since many of the planks have swollen out of shape. The hull needs to be re-faired and refinished, and the bottom checked for rot. EVS 08 1958 Chris-Craft Silver Arrow 19' Credit should read: "The Return of a Gift" In Loving Memory of Peter/Paul Martell Greenville, South Carolina Husband, Father, and Friend Kaye, Jessica & Jeffrey Martell Greenville, South Carolina Carl & Linda Prellwitz Center Moriches, New YorkCollection
BoatsAcquisition
Accession
2006.007Source or Donor
Carl & Linda Prellwitz and Kaye MartellAcquisition Method
GiftCredit Line
In loving memory of Peter/Paul Martell Husband, Father and FriendMade/Created
Manufacturer
Chris-CraftDate made
1958Edition
Model: Silver ArrowNotes
Propulsion: Inboard Engine: Dearborn Interceptor 215, s/n 351764 Cylinders: 8Dimensions
Length
19 ftLocation
*Cleveland E. Dodge Memorial Launch Building
Wall
EastRoom
Bay 3Building
*Don Doebler Collections Storage Facility*Cleveland E. Dodge Memorial Launch Building