To streamline your ownership experience, download the My Chris-Craft app to your smartphone. You can set alarm notifications for fuel tank, battery and water tank levels, and more. Take advantage of location and trip tracking features. Easily locate a certified Chris-Craft dealer and even share your boat’s alert and telemetry data for remote diagnosis, getting you back on the water faster.
- CRAFTSMANSHIP
- HERITAGE
- OWNERS
OUR CRAFTSMANSHIP
Each Chris-Craft boat is brought to life by highly experienced craftsmen at our
factory in Sarasota, Florida, where we maintain the highest standards for every detail. Our design ethos centers around timeless beauty and complete comfort. And we build our boats to look like no others, using only the highest-quality materials to set each Chris-Craft boat apart from the crowd.
DEDICATED ARTISANS
Many of our boatbuilders have been with Chris-Craft for decades – and all are the most-skilled carpenters, cabinetmakers, joiners, and artisans in the boatbuilding business. Their extensive knowledge, combined with the highest-quality materials, helps ensure your boat will be unlike any other on the water.
GENUINE TEAK
Our inlaid teak is handcrafted and caulked by skilled craftsmen. We use epoxy to eliminate fittings that might slowly rise up over time and create an eyesore or tripping hazard. Caulking the teak is a time-consuming art, but well worth the results. It’s all applied by hand, chiseled clean, and sanded to a smooth finish.
CUSTOM UPHOLSTERY
Chris-Craft upholstery starts with exceptional design. Wide bolsters. Distinctive stitching. And only the highest-quality, soft and luxurious marine vinyl – hand-selected for its resistance to fading, tears, stains, and punctures. From aligning seams to matching patterns and much more, Chris-Craft artisans see to each and every detail.
UNIQUELY FINISHED
Our building practice differs in that all of our hulls – including our classic tumblehome shape – are formed using a six-step lamination process that includes gelcoating by hand. Even our boot stripes are hand-coated, making them integral to the fiberglass. Each boat goes through a rigorous 50-hour painting methodology.
OUR HERITAGE
Since the beginning, the boats crafted by Christopher Columbus Smith and his successors have brought dreams to life. Over the years, Chris-Craft boats have become cultural icons in their own right, empowering people with the freedom to explore their local lakes and distant shores. Chris-Craft has been nurturing America’s romance with boating for over 150 years.
LATE 1880s
BIRTH OF AN ICON
The small town of Algonac, Michigan, is where 13-year-old Christopher Columbus Smith built his first boat in 1874. Referred to as punts or skiffs, his boats quickly earned him a reputation as a master boatbuilder. As demand grew, Chris soon joined forces with his brother, Hank, and began producing full time, laying the groundwork for their future as builders of “standardized” runabouts.
EARLY 1900s
ERA OF EXPANSION
The Smith Ryan Boat Company, officially formed in 1910, focused on building fast, economical runabouts for the masses. After a name change to the Chris Smith & Sons Boat Company, Jay Smith (Chris’s son) was named President and General Manager in 1927. During his 31 years of leadership, Chris-Craft would become known as the world’s largest builder of mahogany powerboats.
MID 1900s
SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS
As sales dipped during the Great Depression, the company returned to building runabouts, but helping the country quickly became our focus during World War II. Chris-Craft built patrol boats, utility launches, and rescue vessels for the U.S. Navy and Army, delivering 12,000 vessels by 1945. After the war, our powerboat lineup would reach 139 models, and our first fiberglass boat debuted in 1955.
LATE 1900s
RETURNING TO OUR PASSION
1971 marked the end of an era, as we built our last mahogany boat — a 57-foot Constellation.™ Throughout the ’80s and early ’90s, Chris-Craft returned to our pre-wartime passion: sport boats. We built high-performance racing catamarans and began designing performance boats for our traditional customers, as well.
EARLY 2000s
DAWN OF A NEW CENTURY
Chris-Craft was purchased by an investment group in 2001, and we headed into the new century with exciting plans for expansion, including the introduction of three new Heritage models and a 43-foot Roamer yacht.
2024 & BEYOND
FUTURE FOCUSED
Chris-Craft vessels have captivated boat lovers from around the world for generations. Today, our entire company is dedicated to preserving the beauty and unparalleled craftsmanship that help define this legendary brand. We’re investing in new technologies and expanding our range of designs in our mission to keep delivering an exceptional and unrivaled boating experience.
CHRIS-CRAFT THROUGH THE YEARS
OUR OWNERS
Chris-Craft owners are at the heart of all we do. Those inspired to join our exclusive family of premium boat owners become a part of our heritage, embracing the iconic status of the Chris-Craft reputation as a brand that represents America, classic elegance, design excellence, and craftsmanship. Our legendary quality, reliability, and client service standards add up to an exceptional ownership experience.
INTRODUCING THE MY CHRIS-CRAFT APP
STAY IN THE KNOW
NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK
The 2024 National Safe Boating Week is May 20th - 26th. Strengthen your boating safety knowledge with some helpful tips from the National Safe Boating Council.
EXCLUSIVE THAILAND DEALER NAMED
MGC-Asia is now the authorized distributor for Chris-Craft boats in Thailand. Chris-Craft President Steve Heese and Vice President, Sales, Gavan Hunt attended the grand opening celebration in Bangkok.
MANUFACTURING EXPANSION
Chris-Craft has increased production capacity by 50 percent with a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility on our Sarasota, Florida, campus. The 70,000-sq.-ft. building adds over 200 jobs to the community.
THE CHRIS-CRAFT LIFESTYLE
Whether you’re in the mood to freshen your own boating wardrobe with some Chris-Craft essentials or seeking the perfect gift for a fellow boating enthusiast, we have you covered with the Chris-Craft Collection. Select from a variety of modern and vintage graphics on comfortable hoodies, classic crew necks, totes, drinkware, pet gear, boat accessories, and more.
CELEBRATING ANTIQUES & CLASSICS
We encourage owners of antique and classic Chris-Craft boat models to explore the Chris-Craft Antique Boat Club (CCABC). Chris-Craft is proud to sponsor and be a part of this elite society. The CCABC provides access to parts, layouts, and selling information for classic models and can assist with other questions this special group of owners may have.
TEAK TIPS
Whether you’re in the mood to freshen your own boating wardrobe with some Chris-Craft essentials or seeking the perfect gift for a fellow boating enthusiast, we have you covered with the Chris-Craft Collection. Select from a variety of modern and vintage graphics on comfortable hoodies, classic crew necks, totes, drinkware, pet gear, boat accessories, and more.
UPHOLSTERY CARE
Beneath the luxurious marine-grade vinyl upholstery, all Chris-Craft seating is designed with drain holes to eliminate water retention. We also treat our vinyl and our triple-density seat foam with an antimicrobial agent to help prevent mildew. Additionally, the vinyl is finished with a Permagard Premium Topcoat for protection against stains and abrasions.
PAINT PRESERVATION
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