33 Futura

Cat359 · Post by **Cat359** » Sat Jul 03, 2010 9:00 am

Just bought 33 futura 1957. with w series engines. boat has benn stored for years and is stored here in a metal barn. from the great lakes, no salt. I think I would like to sell it. Or start complete restoration, repower with crusaders in my shop. need some help here folks. very restorable hull. among chris owners how popular is this boat ?

RRGadow · Post by **RRGadow** » Sat Jul 03, 2010 9:28 pm

Futuras are cool boats...but as always, dont go into this project thinking you are going to fix her up and sell her for a profit....Its hard enough to sell an old cruiser these days let alone try to flip her and make some money....now if you want restore and enjoy her...go for it!

Lets see some photo!

Cat359 · Post by **Cat359** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 9:10 am

thanks for your input RRG, the boat I have is a sister ship to Black Beauty, the boat on the cover page of this site. somebody out there has to want this vessal in the very restorable condition it is in. the cards are on the table, looking for a player.I will post photos. all offers considered

Matt Smith · Post by **Matt Smith** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 4:50 pm

There is one on eBay right now that you can watch and see how it does.

s

Its been there for a while.. The 16K amount is a tad high.. Crazy high.. Black Beauty is a master piece and is a one of a kind boat that is PERFECTLY restored to the highest standards. The market for these right now is at an all time low. It will go up.. It cant go any lower. If you do make a profit, we will all build a statue to you and flock to your church and listen to your gospel..Lead me.. Your flock awaits.

jfrprops · Post by **jfrprops** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 9:12 pm

Listen to Matt.....end of story....

John in Va.

Ken Miller · Post by **Ken Miller** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 9:53 pm

And drink his Kool Aid.

Cat359 · Post by **Cat359** » Thu Jul 08, 2010 8:30 am

Thank you gentlemen for your input on this '57 33 futura. I joined this club to gain more insight on this boat and where and how to market her. she is safe and dry inside my 6400 s.f. building. the boat is clean inside and out. all the parts are inventoried. I have many friends in the restoration business I have met over the last 32 years of restoring vintage vehicles and boats. I have had several wooden boat builders look at her stem to stern and they all say She is solid through out.
I was going to dismantle her and sell the teak and mahogany, scrap the WBR series motors and burn the rest. however every marine carpenter that has seen her says it would be a sin to destroy the vessal. I do not think it would be unfair to say that this boat is a very special model of Chris- Craft, somebody thought so, that is why "Black Beauty" exists and photos of her are posted all over the web. I need some more help with this boat, as to her future.

Matt Smith · Post by **Matt Smith** » Thu Jul 08, 2010 9:02 am

Send photos. [email protected] and I will help find a home for her. If she can be put back in the water, do it ASAP. You really don't want a cruiser to dry out. That unleashes an entirely new can of worms. Do the motors work? Where are you located... Or the boat... You are correct, the futura model is nice. And unfortunately right now may be worth more in parts. Engines and hardwear.. Wood? BUT.. That all depends on the boat. If she is floating and runs...and has a on the hard Survay. Could be worth more. And the gods of the old boat world will shine on you. Dont be the evil villain in the story of Black Beauty that wanted to use the horse as a mule... Its ironic that this is playing out like this.. HA.. Of course if you do part it out.. I'll take some of that deck wood.. Those engines sound good as well.. I be mad all the way to the bank to get some money...

RRGadow · Post by **RRGadow** » Thu Jul 08, 2010 4:53 pm

Do you have any photos?...and what is your asking price?

Take Time · Post by **Take Time** » Thu Jul 08, 2010 10:13 pm

Sounds like a used car salesman. Where's the pictures?

Rob

WoodenRookie · Post by **WoodenRookie** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 9:02 am

"I have many friends in the restoration business I have met over the last 32 years of restoring vintage vehicles and boats. I have had several wooden boat builders look at her stem to stern and they all say She is solid through out"

Ok so he doesn't trust his friends of many years and his own personal history of restoring boats. Those crazy wood boat builders don't know what she's worth so I guess one of us has to give him a figure.

Without pictures and more info, nobody is going to throw out a number!!

jfrprops · Post by **jfrprops** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 12:41 pm

the wooden boat market, always slim, is all but NON EXISTANT in this recession (depression).

I wish we could save them all and sounds like your heart is in the right place...but letting your head/wallet get into the equation is something else.

You asked this group and so far they have accurately told you.

Each of us has fallen head over heels from some project boat in our long and learned past...so maybe there is a perfect someone for this boat....but there is only money to be spent and none to be made. But a good time and good work....is priceless...
All of US know that going in.....

Good luck!

John in Va.

Matt Smith · Post by **Matt Smith** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 12:59 pm

Listen to John.....end of story....or is it?

Captain Nemo · Post by **Captain Nemo** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 6:22 pm

These old cruisers are really only worth what someone is willing to pay. In many cases, if it needs work and it is too big to fit into a garage, you might have trouble giving it away.
-Mark

Matt Smith · Post by **Matt Smith** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 10:25 am

Well, they say a picture is worth a thousand words.. Here ya go.. Right from Cat359.. I know understand the dilemma. Dang, what a tough call. She looks nice, needs paint and will need some sort of wood work. Engines? Clearly no money to be made here though. Unless the un thinkable happens...

jfrprops · Post by **jfrprops** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 12:04 pm

What truely awful photos!!!! For your sake I was hoping for far less!!!

Why?

Because like Matt says....temptation abounds....she looks doable and is obviously a high end barn find.

If time and money are no object...save her, please.

John in Va.

Matt Smith · Post by **Matt Smith** » Sat Jul 10, 2010 12:14 pm

I have now spoken with the owner. He is a great guy and into restorations. It was in a barn/boathouse for over 30 years. It was being fixed up and the owner died. I have a ton more images. And will be doing a follow up on Monday on WoodyBoater.com... yes this is a tease....Including his phone number, and email.. I smelll ROAD TRIP!

bb57 · Post by **bb57** » Sat Jul 17, 2010 6:30 am

I'm curious about this boat now..... looks and sounds like a boat that I went to see last year in Canada.

Matt Smith · Post by **Matt Smith** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 7:21 am

I published all the contact info on Woodyboater. Look in barn finds.

Matt Smith · Post by **Matt Smith** » Sun Aug 01, 2010 6:00 pm

I went and saw the boat in person today. First. The owner is a fantastic guy and a hoot. HE has saved the boat and it 100% all there. It is to nice to chop up and is nice if this is your cup of Joe. But it needs EVERYTHING restored. BUT its in very sound..ish shape. The boat was stripped and is all ready to be bunged and loved. It is still perky if there is such a thing.. No sagging. More to come on Woody Boater later this week. Clayton was fantastic.

33 Futura

33 Futura

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