Styled In Fiberglass debuted spring of 2001, over 23 years ago! The latest issue continues the Styled In Fiberglass tradition with articles including: Regional Rendezvous, Commander Club Archives, Remembering Clif Orphal, Remembering Herb Brock, Adventures of Briand & Dawn Stone, An Updated Original, OEM vs Aftermarket, Awards of Distinction, Commander Insurance Opportunity, Siford Nautical Art & Prints, The Dock Shop, Boat US Membership Find it in Club News, or click here... https://www.commanderclub.com/_files/ugd/f5bb1b_070fd63b4b744622829bdec0d2fdce4a.pdf

The 36 foot tournament fisherman that I bought was in very good condition and pretty much ready to run, but I was determined to remove the flybridge. It has been more work than I imagined, there were many systems, wires, and hundreds of screw holes and bolts, that had been a part of the boat since it was new. There were 3 large wiring “ports” in particular that all needed to be filled and covered. But I finally filled all the holes painted the hardtop and added my own NAV lights, handrails, anchor light and horn. I am really happy with it. I was able to use the large handrails that were originally mounted on the side of the flybridge. I was able to mount the Nav lights on the side of the hardtop, which is a very streamlined look. I was able to find one of the Jetson anchor lights off eBay and put a very bright LED lightbulb in there that is going to work great. I mounted my stern white light on the rear end of the hardtop, which is a unique approach, but seems to be perfectly legal. I have red and green and white in the stern all very high so it should be good. I have kept the main center area clear because in the future, I might store a rigid inflatable up there, and my 20-year-old son is already climbed up there and walked around. It’s quite a large expanse of a hardtop and it seems that young people will probably gravitate up there and and jump off and stuff like that. It also could be an excellent spot for an enormous solar panel system. But I don’t really want or need that, but maybe it’s something to explore in the future who knows. But I left the center completely open. And maybe someday even put in a couple of skylights, that might be nice too. I’m just happy to have all the wiring done and so now I can put the headliner back in inside the salon. For diehard flybridge people, you should know that a gentleman drove 15 hours to pick up my flybridge, ladder and bridge helm station and will be using it on an identical model Boat, the same 36 of which he needed an original flybridge. So the entire unit is living on on a sister ship, which is nice. It did not go to waste.

Looking for a starter for port 454 engine. Boat is 1973 36’ tournament fish, I don’t think these are the original engines. (correction, these are the original marine power engines) I will take the old starter and have it rebuilt but also wanted to order one delivered and quickly get back up and running. NOBODY seems to have this starter, it’s discontinued by Arco. Did they replace this model with another one? It can’t be this hard to find a starter for a 454? Right? Any help would be appreciated. Thank u, Whitney

Found this in my tool box, its a special part!

Excited to have a Commander again, launching my 36’ tournament fisherman hardtop next week and look forward to sharing all my new adventures! I put the name on today and cleaned house in preparation for launch, can’t wait to be in the water. This is my second WHITS END but I didn’t want to call it WHITS END II because I don’t really like having that “II” after the name, and it’s also fitting, because, I’m really reclaiming the time I had on my first WHITS END (a ‘66 38’ express hardtop) before I had kids, and now my kids have all grown up and the name is back. I never thought I would own one of these fisherman convertible style boats, in fact, they were never ever on my radar. I don’t fish. But now I am excited about the large salon flooded with sunlight, the cozy lower cabin configuration and the salty high bow and frankly how handsome (dare I say “sexy!”) it looks as a hardtop. We will see. I’ve been around since the early days of the club and I cherish the friendships I’ve made here. I look forward to meeting all the new members who joined while I was out yelling at my kids for 15 years! I had forgotten how happy these boats make me, the endless projects and plans. I’m back!!

Can anyone shed any light on when this badge was used? Do you have it on your boat? What model and year? It has a star and 3 vertical stripes in yellow and the boat length in white letters on a red field. It appears that the graphic represents the insignia of a Navy Commander. When was it used and what models was it used on?

My new 36’ tournament fisherman is without any nav lights and I’m considering my options. I anchor a lot and will need a good anchor light that is separate from the nav lights. I operate in NY harbor and need strong nav lights to be seen by ships, ferries etc, but I also care about the style of the fixtures so they should look good on a Commander. Curious to other 36’ owners (or similar), WHERE exactly ARE your port/starboard nav lights mounted? Factory? Where is your mast light mounted or do you use your anchor light as a mast light? The stern light is easy and im pretty clear on that, so my questions are really around, front nav; red, green, white/anchor. I’m interested in mounting to the hull or lower deckhouse, NOT interested in mounting to flybridge (more on that later). This question would apply to other Commanders with a similar broken sheer higher bow, like the 35 or other fishers… I remember my old 38 had the nav lights mounted in the port lights which was cool, but that is not an option on the 36 TF. Per the guidelines my 36 falls below the 39ft requirement but I think I’d like to still meet that “over 39ft” standard including a stern light. How are your nav lights configured?

This boat has always interested me but seems like a rare find, not many made, anyone have one?

I bought a Commander! CCHMG097O575 or FDA-36-0097H Currently named SKIMMER II, located in Charleston, SC. Not really sure what year it is, but it appears to be the 97th one built? Not sure wether to call it a Sport Cruiser or Tournament Fisherman? I am very excited about this model as i feel it offers many of the features that I need here on the Hudson River and New York Harbor/East Coast. I've owned a 38' Express, 19' Super Sport and a 55' and never ever thought i'd get near any type of 'fishy' Commander but then i realized how practical the large salon, lower back deck and high bow could be for my waters... I'm assuming the fishing rod holders can be drink holders? And the fish box/bait wells can be used to ice down beverages?? It has been worked on for over 5 years by our very own Lee Dahlen so I'm benefitting from all his handywork AGAIN! I'll keep you posted! Excited to begin this new journey.

I'm not sure if this has come up before, but do you think the recent (2017) Commander Cruiser should be included in scope of our club? With the high price tag and limited hulls, I'm not sure how many of us will own one, but there seems to be no harm in the idea of including information in our club's archives?! What do you think?

Do you all know specifically when the 47' came with the short "3/4" hardtop and when it didn't? Was it an option? Or did the original 47' simply come with the short hardtop and then at one point it was extended. I personally prefer the short hardtop because it makes the deckhouse appear more like the 38's profile and also offers more sun on the back deck. However my Dermatologist would STRONGLY argue that the full hardtop is the better option! 47' Chris-Craft Commander