There is no sure fire way to track. From our various membership lists we have the history of at least 4 of them. It really helps when members provide the hull number in their profile.
Lloyd Flemming, 72 commander 38 express, flying bridge, "History". I had a look at Jackie Gleasons 60 foot. Like all of us, interested in all aspects of Chris Craft, but was curious to note that the listing included one 12v71 Detroit diesel. I imagined transmissions to split the drive between 2 propeller shafts, but in the photographs, there appears one line of prop disturbance at the centre of the stern. My Commander always shows dual prop wash. Does anyone know the situation here? My understanding was that pairs of 1271 engines were used, and it maybe looks like there are 2 transmission shifters, when they were used. Any insights??
I can’t imagine that CC would have built a 60 Commander with a single engine. That would have made handling nearly impossible. One engine driving two shafts? Even less likely than a single engine / single screw.
The 60' Commanders when built had twin GM 12V71N's but during 1971 a very prominent buyer from Delaware purchased a 60' and was not satisfied with the performance and filed a lawsuit against Chris Craft claiming misrepresentations on the sales brochure. The owner really liked the boat just wanted it to perform. I was employed by Chris Craft Industries and the CEO sent me to Sassafras MD marina to sea trial the boat and it did not perform as represented.
Chris Craft agreed to upgrade the engines with the new Turbo-charged engines along with exhaust modifications to the hull which provided an increase in the speed.
When the first upgrade was finished additional Commander owners wanted the same very costly upgrades.
Most indeed did have exhaust modifications. I have one of the later ones which exhausted out the rear sides. The two from 1970, Savoy and Southern Delite which I own, both have naturals and no turbo. I would not say mine is fast or slow. But I feel pretty cool behind the wheel.
I am so excited. I have purchased the Hull Cards for all 9 of the 60' Commanders. Paul Ruh, owner of SOUTHERN DELIGHT, and I are gathering all the info we can and plan on writing an article for STYLED IN FIBERGLASS, the club publication. Lawrence Quinn, the current owner of STARDUST FAA 60-0004 just sent some info and photos. We have a few leads that we are following, some myths that are going to be verified. Be patient!! Stay tuned!!
I had a 60 ft Commander for 25 years in charter service in Newwport Beach CA . She was a 1969 hull 5 if I remember correctly and originally named Small World when new and Platinum Lady when I bought her in Seattle in 2000. I named her White Light and restored the boat with new 692 DDEC engines, new gens, new tankage and installed Naiad stabalizzers She was a great boat for her service. Sold her in 2023 and now have a 1968, 38 Commander "Grace" in Florida and a 68ft Hatteras "Northern Light" in Seattle in light charter service. "Charternorthernlight.com" If I can be of any help or answer any questions, happy to try. I know Chris Crafts pretty well and have Coast Guard Certified 6 to date.
Wesley, thank you so much for the history on WHITE LIGHT!! Another piece of our puzzle is found. Do you happen to know the hull number for Savoy? The broker said he couldn't find one.
Hi all, the 60 Commander is pretty awesome, and a good number of years ago at a Commander Club Rendezvous, I was fortunate enough to be the winning bidder... and took home the closest thing I'll get to owning a real one... a framed original line drawing of the 60 Commander, signed on the back side by Dick Avery himself. It's proudly displayed in our dining room, and I was even recently able to get some original sales information... Char, maybe I can scan and provide you with the sales stuff for the article?
We found a few signed prints stored away and hope to auction them at the rendezvous this year. Stay tuned for details. Some by Dick Avery, some by Fred Hudson and some have both.
There is no sure fire way to track. From our various membership lists we have the history of at least 4 of them. It really helps when members provide the hull number in their profile.
how do I look up the 4 of them?
With the old website it was possible to search the member list by model, but not any more. Webmaster might be able to do that.
Paul, checkout this link:
Joe
Lloyd Flemming, 72 commander 38 express, flying bridge, "History". I had a look at Jackie Gleasons 60 foot. Like all of us, interested in all aspects of Chris Craft, but was curious to note that the listing included one 12v71 Detroit diesel. I imagined transmissions to split the drive between 2 propeller shafts, but in the photographs, there appears one line of prop disturbance at the centre of the stern. My Commander always shows dual prop wash. Does anyone know the situation here? My understanding was that pairs of 1271 engines were used, and it maybe looks like there are 2 transmission shifters, when they were used. Any insights??
Lloyd
I can’t imagine that CC would have built a 60 Commander with a single engine. That would have made handling nearly impossible. One engine driving two shafts? Even less likely than a single engine / single screw.
Hi Paul
There are 5 or 6 known. Three or four of which are sea worthy. I have one on the Tennessee river.
Regards
P.J.
All were built with two 12V71 Detroits with two Twin Disk Transmissions. There was an option for a set of Caterpillars.
The 60' Commanders when built had twin GM 12V71N's but during 1971 a very prominent buyer from Delaware purchased a 60' and was not satisfied with the performance and filed a lawsuit against Chris Craft claiming misrepresentations on the sales brochure. The owner really liked the boat just wanted it to perform. I was employed by Chris Craft Industries and the CEO sent me to Sassafras MD marina to sea trial the boat and it did not perform as represented.
Chris Craft agreed to upgrade the engines with the new Turbo-charged engines along with exhaust modifications to the hull which provided an increase in the speed.
When the first upgrade was finished additional Commander owners wanted the same very costly upgrades.
Most indeed did have exhaust modifications. I have one of the later ones which exhausted out the rear sides. The two from 1970, Savoy and Southern Delite which I own, both have naturals and no turbo. I would not say mine is fast or slow. But I feel pretty cool behind the wheel.
HI All,
I am so excited. I have purchased the Hull Cards for all 9 of the 60' Commanders. Paul Ruh, owner of SOUTHERN DELIGHT, and I are gathering all the info we can and plan on writing an article for STYLED IN FIBERGLASS, the club publication. Lawrence Quinn, the current owner of STARDUST FAA 60-0004 just sent some info and photos. We have a few leads that we are following, some myths that are going to be verified. Be patient!! Stay tuned!!
I had a 60 ft Commander for 25 years in charter service in Newwport Beach CA . She was a 1969 hull 5 if I remember correctly and originally named Small World when new and Platinum Lady when I bought her in Seattle in 2000. I named her White Light and restored the boat with new 692 DDEC engines, new gens, new tankage and installed Naiad stabalizzers She was a great boat for her service. Sold her in 2023 and now have a 1968, 38 Commander "Grace" in Florida and a 68ft Hatteras "Northern Light" in Seattle in light charter service. "Charternorthernlight.com" If I can be of any help or answer any questions, happy to try. I know Chris Crafts pretty well and have Coast Guard Certified 6 to date.
Wesley Heinmiller
wes@charternorthernlight.com
PS, I also restored Savoy for the owner who was a friend.
Wes
Wesley, thank you so much for the history on WHITE LIGHT!! Another piece of our puzzle is found. Do you happen to know the hull number for Savoy? The broker said he couldn't find one.
HI PAUL, LOVE TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE 60 CC
PLEASE CALL ME ANYTIME 239.8774450
MANY THANKS
PAUL
Hi all, the 60 Commander is pretty awesome, and a good number of years ago at a Commander Club Rendezvous, I was fortunate enough to be the winning bidder... and took home the closest thing I'll get to owning a real one... a framed original line drawing of the 60 Commander, signed on the back side by Dick Avery himself. It's proudly displayed in our dining room, and I was even recently able to get some original sales information... Char, maybe I can scan and provide you with the sales stuff for the article?
Cheers!
C.
1967 42 Commander
"What If..."
I think the pictures of the winning bidder and seller are on the Rendezvous site.
Photos are in the Rendezvous History 2005
We found a few signed prints stored away and hope to auction them at the rendezvous this year. Stay tuned for details. Some by Dick Avery, some by Fred Hudson and some have both.