Since I have been to cheap to ever buy one, can someone tell us a little history of the original wooden Commanders? We have about everything you could ever want to know about the glass models right here at our finger tips on Thee Forum. I would love to know more though.
Commanders-
1st use of badge
smallest wood model
largest wood model
last wood Commander
I would love to know who owns the oldest Commander still around.
You get the idea, just thought some others might find this interesting also.
Ok Chris you got me looking and thinking.
The first reference I see for other than Fiberglass is at 32'
CM-32-001 to 048 page 238 a 1954 Commander Mahogany hull.
CM-32-201 to 460 page 239 1957 to 1959 Mahogany hull.
CM-33-001 to 074 page 243 1955 Mahogany hull.
C-34-001 to 251 page 247 1949-1952 Mahogany hull.
C-35-252 to 424 page 251 1953-1954 note: slightly elongated 50-52 34 Commander note the hull numbers
C(6S)-36-001 to C(6S)-36-052
C(4S)-36-001 to C(4S)-36-061 1954 page 257 the 36 4 and 6 sleeper note the (4S) (6S)
They did it again in 1955 with the 37 4 and 6 sleeper (4S)001-060 and (6S)001-036.
X-42-001 to 088 1951-1953 the 42 Commander / Challenger 88 hulls built as 3 different models the Commander, Challenger, and Commander Enclosed 1951 to 1953 62 11 13 of each respectively with 2 unidentified hull cards.
KM-42-101 to 177 page 277 1955-56
X43-001 to 006 page 282 1954 43 Commander very few of these.
so it looks like the name was used for the first time in 1949 on the 34 model and the last wood Commander was in 1959? Remember this is what I found looking through the guide it is by no means the end all be all of Chris Craft boats. Every single Commander wood model I found was built with a Mahogany hull and the largest was the 43 of which they only built 6 (wonder if there are any of those left?). So the big questions are there any 1949 34' Commanders still out there? And wouldn't it cool to see a 43'. The 57-59 32's actually got the 283 Chevy before the run ended.
The 55-56 42 had Cadillac CM250's the 43 got Hercules DIX-6ES?? Paul what are those Diesels? There were numerous entries for the K, KM, WR, WBR, ML, M, and KL engines all through the line.
On another note the 32 from 57-59 had 17 models built without the hardtop and sold as Express Cruisers. Also most of the wood Commanders had the round nose protrusion at the bow.
The DIX series Hercules motors were diesel, not commonly found in pleasure boats however, but probably pretty durable and strong as all other Hercules were. They didn't skimp on the iron back then.
Here is a note from 1967 outlining two of the DIX series Hercules motors, as used by the US Navy.
Regards,
Paul
May 1967 LETTER OF PROMULGATION
The widespread interest in the previous editions of"Boats of the United States Navy, " by numerous agenciesand individuals as well as branches of the Department ofDefense, has prompted the publication of this revised edi-tion. Catalogued herein are the principal characteristics ofmost of the boats and small craft presently in use by the Navy
24' PLANE PERSONNEL BOAT (DIESEL), MK 5Purpose To transport personnel between seaplane and shore. Capacity 14 persons including crewCrew 2 men. Length overall 24' &%"Beam 8' 10" outside wood fender, 9' 7"w/puddening. Draft 2'8»" loadedFull load displacement. 8,930 lbs. Hoisting weight.. 6,950 lbs. Hoisted by Sling. Construction V-bottom, wood frames, plywood planked. Speed 13 knots at full load displacement. Fuel capacity 60 gallons. Range 105 nautical miles at full power and full load. NavShips Drawing No. S8203{4)-24-I298843Stock No.. .. S1940-529-9260Engine details (a) 1—6 cylinder diesel, 100 b. hp.at 2,200 r.p.m. continuous. Graymarine model 6D-427, hullcooled, 12-volt electrical system,clockwise rotation. Stock No.S75-E-53737-8545ororPropeller details(ft) 1—6 cylinder diesel, 100 b. hp.at 2,600 r.p.m., Hercules model DIX-6ES, hull cooled. 12-voltelectrical system, clockwise rota-tion, W/1.8:l reduction gearratio. Stock No. S75-E-53738-2230(c) 1—6 cylinder diesel, 100 hp. at2,600 r.p.m., Hercules model D1X-6ES, hull cooled, 12-voltelectrical system, clockwise rota-tion, W/2:l reduction gear.Stock No. S75-E-53738-2235For (a), (6) and (c): 1—20" D by18" P by Hi" bore, rh. rotation.
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26' UTILITY BOAT
Purpose To transport personnel or cargo.. Capacity 25 men including crew. Crew 3 menLength overall 26' 1%"Beam 9' 2«" maximumDraft 3* 2«" loaded. Full load displacement.. . 11,365)08Hoisting weight 7,900 lbs. Hoisted by Sling or davitsConstruction Round bottom, wood frame, doubleplanked. Speed 8 knots at full load displacementFuel capacity 40 gallonsRange 100 nautical miles at full power andfull load. NavShips Drawing No S8228{l)-26-1298608Stock No S194O-267-7045Engine details. 1 4 cylinder diesel, 50 hp at 2,600r.p.m., Hercules model DIX4K,hull cooled, 12-volt electrical sys-tem. Counterclockwise rotationPropeller details
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