Vehicle Description
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.
