Classic Australian Wooden Power Boats

Readers Boats

Caroline

Member Tony Walker is the proud owner of Caroline, an 18' Chris-Craft runabout. Tony sent in the following account of how he came to own the boat as well as some history on it.  

I bought Caroline last October, after seeing her advertised on ebay. I had always dreamed of owning a Chris-Craft but never ever thought that it would be a reality because of the expense in buying one. Luck came my way in the form of a very lucky property deal and the dream became reality.

After seeing her on ebay, I went down to Sydney at the owner's invite to have a test run. I could not believe that I was actually going to go for a ride in a Chris-Craft. Unfortunately I was a little disappointed as it went like any other V8 boat that I had been in. I must say though that the weight of the boat made it very stable over the wake of other boats. The boat weighs in at one tonne!

I was amazed at the interest at the boat ramp and whilst out cruising around. This boat is a serious magnet. It attracts attention from all and sundry. If I was single and not a grandfather, this boat would be a serious "chick magnet".

I came home a little disappointed with the performance of the boat and the price that I would have to pay to own her and for a couple of days I wrestled with my conscience. Then on the third day I knew I had to have her. This really is the ultimate "pose machine" (not that I am a poser of course), but here I had the opportunity to own a gem of maritime history! I was lucky that there was only one other looker at the boat. An offer was made and duly accepted and Caroline was mine.

The previous owner purchased the boat about nine years ago in Ventura, California, from the estate of famous Hollywood film producer and aviator Howard Hughes. In storage for at least 20 years along with the contents of his many mansions, this 18 foot Chris-Craft Continental, of which only 490 were built, was shipped to Los Angeles, where some of its restoration work was started. It was then imported into Sydney. Apparently the trailer was not declared and had to be destroyed. The boat then underwent a major restoration which took 3 years. This was done by Michael Bartlett of "Busted Vessels" at Careening Cove.

Caroline is built of red mahogany on white oak frames and hand sanded before receiving 12 coats of lustrous varnish. Fasteners and plugs were renewed. Below the waterline is finished in three coats of dynel to give the already strong, double planked mahogany hull more strength and to cut down on maintenance. The inside of the hull below the waterline is finished in white 2 pack epoxy. You could eat your dinner down there. The rudder is manganese bronze and the prop shaft is bronze - turned, ground and polished.

The engine is a 283 ci Chev Corvette V8 and has been totally reconditioned, including the original Carter WCFB carby, distributor, fuel pump, generator etc. While the engine appears original, "new world" heads and valves have been fitted, thus producing substantially more power and enabling the use of unleaded fuel. "Shoosh Valves" have been added to new exhaust hoses in an attempt to quieten the motor. The gearbox is mechanical with forward, neutral and reverse The prop and skeg have been balanced to minimize vibration. Other new extras are auto bilge pump, manual bilge pump and electrical cut-out switch and bilge blower.

There is an original "Ivanlight" searchlight on the foredeck. Flags have been recreated as per original.

The dash panels and all gauges have been restored, repainted and re-chromed. Most of the wiring has been replaced. Seat and floor upholstery have been replaced to original specs, with the red and white vinyl seats having UV protection. This magnificent boat sits on a new custom built "Easytow" trailer complete with extendable draw-bar for easy retrieval at low tide. The tops of the guards are finished with polished stainless steel inserts.

The boat has been authenticated by the Maritime Museum in the USA.