Vehicle Description
1930 Chris-Craft Model 103 - 1990 Reproduction by 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 Cleveland 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.
