Not too long ago a friend let us borrow his classic CC 17' boat to do some skiing. Considering a couple of us (ahem) are north of 50 and our ski was a '70s something Dick Pope Cypress Gardens wood water ski, the event was christened the Old School Rules ski weekend. Thought you'd enjoy seeing one of the 53, 1970 Chris Craft "Ski Boats" built, being put to good use and showing she still has what it takes. The 327 had tons of giddy up and go well after we were done. Yeah, that's me (third photo below) laying it down; and I was laying down the next day too (on the couch)
Cheers!

Very cool boat for sure! That brings back memories being that I am literaly JUST north of 50 as well. I grew up on a lake skiing behing the Century's CC's and a vintage Hydrodyne. Haven't seen one those CC's though, no wonder, only 53 built. I have a room in my house (same lake, same house I grew up on) that I did in all pine walls dedicated to the old ski days with a pair of Dick Pope Cypress garden ski's, a pair of vinatge jump ski's, Cypress Gardens trick ski's and a pair of wood Riviera's mounted on the wall! Heck my mailbox is mounted on a 1980's EP Stilleto I retired years ago. I still own the 1985 Mastercraft Stars and Stripes I purchased new and still wakeboard behind it regularly.
Thanks for jogging those memories!
Old skiers never die they just don't hang on as long, Ha!

Steve L
Stil in the hunt for the big one!

They just seem to go together Thanks Steve!

Of course I also have some Dick Pope and Cypress Gartgen skis too, in addition we have our first pair of skis that a guy made for my dad.

On one occasions using a flathead Hercules six cylinder powered 17' CC Sportsman, I took one of my old college roommates out for skiing and he had never done it before. We tried and tried but he just couldn't do it. On onc attepmpt he was stubborn and just hung on and I think we must have dragged him down 20-feet deep, the ski line looked like we had a marlin hooked.

The 17' fiberglass ski boat is a great package, absolute perfect power for that boat, nice fast hull, and no worry about planks, leakage, refastening, and of course if you were a Century owner you always had to worry about those hulls because they were only sealed with a batten strip while CC wood hulls were all double planked.

If you do a search here on The FORUM for the words: "RED ROCKET" you will see the similar boat Wilson Wright used to own, I think it has since been sold. He had a lot of gumption to bring it to a wood boat show in Mt. Dora 7 years or so ago, and as you might expect it didn't get much attention, I think I was the only guy taking photos.

regards,

Paul

Trail blazers have guts to do things on their own terms. Glad you were there as well representing the next gen of classic boating.
Skol !
Craig L

Thank you Paul for sharing this back story on the Red Rocket as well as the feature photo of yours truly at Old School Rules skifest. Truth be told much credit goes to my friend and agent who accompanied me that day, Mr. Budweiser. I'll be glad to introduce you or any other of our forum brethren to him if by chance you have not already met. With him you'll find yourself doing things you couldn't have imagined and showing up in unexpected places like the feature photo section of the Chris Craft Commander forum.

Dash Riprock

Classic Chris Craft is still a Classic regardless of the style.

That gives mr great hope! I just purchased this exact boat, minus lots of items that have gone missing from it over the years. Have not seen many out there besides Wilson's Rocket. Nice to see another one on the water!
Looking forward to seeing mine that way in about a year.
Was the white upholstery an option that year? I like it.
Thanks for sharing the photos and would love to see more of the interior and Eng Box. Mine is missing.

Thanks,

KK

Kris,
This friend's boat was purchased out of Oregon about ten years ago on eBay. It had been 'restored' but not to original. The current owner then pulled out the smelly outdoor carpet and decking and replaced w teak. The interior seating has also been redone to replace bad backing board, kept the same white vinyl. Will try to get some photos for you.
Cheers!
Craig

Thanks Craig, that would be fantastic

The more I see the white interior against the red hull, I really like it!

Craig, If you get a chance would it be possible to get some additional photos of interior and engine box and bay?


Thanks,


KK

Hey KK,
I don't have access to that boat any longer but I'll dig thru photos and see what I have and post for you.
Skol!
Craig