Utility
Name/Title
UtilityEntry/Object ID
2002.002Description
The Continental sport utility models from Chris-Craft represented a wonderful new look for boaters who preferred the practical flexibility that the traditional utility style offered. The style was introduced by Chris-Craft in 1951 with the debut of the two original Holiday models at 19 feet and 23 feet. In late 1954 the design was beautifully refined and renamed to the Continental series. The new boats were offered in four popular lengths of 18, 20, 22 and 25 feet. Each of the Continental models shared similar styling features that set them apart from the competition. Perhaps, their most prominent feature was the large, sharply raked windshield that was very attractive and very modern. The red mahogany decks were highlighted with a striking blonde mahogany king plank that swept around the open cockpit to a blonde aft deck. The upholstery was white and gold with a black vinyl alligator strip throughout the lower portion of the cockpit. The Continental series was one of Chris-Craft's most successful designs in terms of sales volume and its influence on the entire small craft market. It was a trendsetter in design, offering superb performance and establishing the utility style as the wave of the future. The runabout style was no longer the only choice for style-conscious boaters. The Continentals offered the speed, performance, versatility and additional space of utility models without looking like a workboat. Traditional runabout buyers found themselves attracted to all that the Continentals offered and it soon became clear that runabouts were loosing ground to the new sport boats called Continentals. Smyrna is a superb example of smallest and most popular of the four Continental models. She is superbly finished and appears as when new. It's an exciting boat because it represented the refreshing post World War II look that was stimulated by the excitement generated by the first Holiday models. Nearly one thousand 18-foot Continentals were sold by Chris-Craft from 1954 to 1960 and Smyrna is one of the finest examples anywhere.Collection
BoatsAcquisition
Accession
2002.002Source or Donor
Doebler, Donald W. and Virginia M.Acquisition Method
GiftMade/Created
Manufacturer
Chris-CraftDate made
1955Place
Location
Algonac, MI, USAEdition
Model: 18' ContinentalNotes
Early Date: 1955 Propulsion: Inboard Engine: Chris-Craft MPH: 38 0.0 Cylinders: 6 HP: 131Dimensions
Width
6-9/16 ftLength
18 ftLocation
Wall
EastRoom
Bay 6Building
*Don Doebler Collections Storage FacilityBartlett Point Barn 4
*Cleveland E. Dodge Memorial Launch Building
Bartlett Point Barn 4