The 60 Commander – Where are They Now - An Update
The 60 Commander – Where are They Now - An Update
The Spring 2025 issue of STYLED IN FIBERGLASS included an article documenting the whereabouts of the 60’ Commanders. There were a few that we could not account for. One of them is the second 60 Commander Motor Yacht based on hull number.
Here is what was reported in that article.
FMA 60-0002F: shipped to Jefferson Beach Marina, 244000 Jefferson Ave, St. Clair Shores, MI August 22, 1969. We have heard stories that Al Wagner, owner of Jefferson Beach Marina, may have been the second owner. It may have been docked at Grosse Pointe Yacht Club at one time. Al Wager passed away in 2021. We have contacted Jefferson Beach Marina, Grosse Pointe Yacht Club and some other local Chris-Craft history buffs but have not received any information to date.
Fast forward to August 2025 when Gerald Wagner posted this comment on the Commander Club Facebook page: “My Family owned the largest Commander ever built 60'. It caught fire and burned in New York.”
I contacted him to acquire more information. He replied: “Yes, my father was Alvin Wagner owner of Jefferson Beach Marina and Brownies restaurant. My dad lived aboard in St Clair Shores and wintered in Miami Beach and later Pier 66 in Ft Lauderdale. The boat was named after the restaurant "Brownies "
“We were Chris Craft dealers. The boat didn't sell so my Dad used it. The boat was heavy and slow not competitive with other yachts Hatteras or Bertram back at that time. The Brownies burned on the way north from Florida in New York. Electrical fire. Sorry, I have no photos. Yes, our captain took boat back and forth to Florida. Not clear on fire date might have been early 70s.”
Conclusion: We could not find any reports regarding the fire or information on what happened after and assume the boat remains were scrapped.
A couple of years ago, I became aware of a 60 for sale, hauled in a boatyard in either Alabama or Mississippi. It had been there for several years in deplorable condition. I don't know what happened to it. I think I read somewhere awhile back that only 5 of the original 9 boats were still afloat somewhere in the world. Sad. But her design and performance doomed the model to failure.