For Sale: 1930 Chris-Craft Boat in Grand Rapids, Michigan

1930 Chris-Craft Model 103 - 1990 Reproduction by Grand Craft (family of Chris Craft) - 24-Foot Triple Cockpit Runabout - Hull No. 8 - 351ci Windsor V8 - 27 Hours on Motor - Honduran Mahogany - Mint Condition - All Documentation from Chris-Craft (Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1930 Chris Craft Model 103 Sport Runabout Reproduction on a website other than our Garage Kept Motors site, it's possible that you've only seen some of our many photographs of this amazing watercraft due to website limitations. To be sure you access all the more than 50 photographs, as well as a short engine-running video, please go to our main website: GarageKeptMotors.) A boat is the hardest thing I know of to put into perspective. It is so much like a human figure, there is something alive about it. -Barry S Strauss, Professor of History and Classics, Cornell University Pretty much everyone who lays their eyes on a mint-condition wooden speedboat, especially one designed in the 1930s, agrees they are looking at a thing of remarkable beauty. Running their hands over the mahogany, leather, and chrome only confirms their first impression. A melding of art and engineering in a style that no longer exists. Re-creating that sort of workmanship is nearly impossible these days... nearly. Back in 1990, Chris Smith, great grandson of Christopher Columbus Smith, the founder of Chris Craft, created the reproduction 1930's era Model 103 sport runabout offered here as the Heather J. Originally, 24 such boats were commissioned, but only 16 were built. This is number 8 of 16 created in the Holland, Michigan factory. Based on the 1930 Model 103, this newer version boat is stronger than the original. Its inner lath runs diagonally instead of vertically, and are epoxy-coated. The Heather J has lived her entire fresh-water life in Spring Lake, about 15 miles north of Holland. The triple-cockpit runabout has just 60 hours running time on it. The boat's excellent condition owes to special care given it by its owner. Always properly stored in climate-controlled building since new, it has never endured any freezing temperatures to protect the integrity of the wood, and it has never been allowed to remain for any extended length of time in the water. The boat measures 24 feet in length and 6.4 feet at the beam. Its fuel capacity is 31-40 gallons. The hull registration number is MC 8084 NN. Powered by a single inboard OMC/Ford Windsor 351 cubic-inch V8 engine linked to an automatic transmission, its throaty engine note can be sampled in a short video available at the GarageKeptMotors site. The faithfulness to the original Model 103 design and the quality of the workmanship in this build are evident in every component, in every detail and on every surface. It is a fully documented mint-condition execution in Honduran mahogany. From the chrome on the operating controls; to the deep-green hull paint; to the period-design instruments perfectly located in an engraved-metal surround; to its art deco steering wheel; to the stunning deep-red leather upholstery, this is as perfect an execution of the Model 103 as exists anywhere. A custom trailer is included in the sale. The more than 50 high-definition photographs of this lovely boat available at the GarageKeptMotors site faithfully present its outstanding condition and visual appeal. That said, we expect and encourage interested parties to visit our Grand Rapids, Michigan showroom to inspect the boat up-close and in-person. We ask only that an advance appointment be made by phone or email so that we can devote our full attention to the boat and our visitors. James Taylor is quoted as having once said: Being on a boat that's moving through the water, it's so clear. Everything falls into place in terms of what's important and what's not. With this Model 103 in mind, no truer words were ever spoken.