Sitting at the helm, I was attracted to the wheel, which has a nice interplay of varnished mahogany and leather stitching a well-placed, accented touch. Like the larger offerings in the Calypso and Catalina lines, the 28 GT comes with a dive door-a first for Chris-Craft’s runabout range-plus three swim ladders and transom access, offering easy egress from the water. In what I imagine must be a rare overlap for those wakeboarding and Chris-Craft enthusiasts out there, this is the boat they’ve been waiting their whole lives for.īut the innovative additions don’t stop with the power. With the “Wakesurfing Package,” owners can get a forward drive instead of the standard stern drive, with a GPS speed controller and Super Surf’R tab system. I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that there is a third power option, of sorts. It’s an attractive addition cosmetically, and a nice rebuke to those who feel an outboard tarnishes a boat’s je ne sais quoi. I wouldn’t be surprised if the first time you see an outboard slapped to the transom, it’s got a custom Chris-Craft painted engine that matches the hull color. Depending on your preference and how fast you want to push the 28, it can be equipped with a 350-hp Mercury Verado, a 350-hp Yamaha or a 425-hp Yamaha. Unlike other models in this line, the 28 GT has been designed from the hull up for outboard propulsion (though a sterndrive is also an option). If you’re a Chris-Craft traditionalist, you might want to stop reading now. Its amenities are numerous and varied, including a reversible sunpad that moves forward and aft (the transforming part), to create both comfortable seating in the cockpit or a larger sunbed when relaxing. Chris-Craft is positioning its new bowrider as a Swiss Army knife, which tends to be marketing speak for a multipurpose boat that can handle all types of interests-be it entertaining, swimming or towing kids-or one with transforming amenities. While we can pine for a time before the fiberglass revolution and mass production, the practicalities and sharp styling of Chris-Craft’s new boats cannot be overstated.Įnter the Launch 28 GT. 287).ĪUK is a Doug Hylan Point Comfort 23 hull optimized for modern electric propulsion, powered by a Torqeedo Cruise 10.0 motor, and featuring a custom “t-top” supporting a high-efficiency solar array.Chris-Craft boats have come a long way from the wooden runabouts of old. Those of you who followed Doug’s initial design for the boat while still “on the drawing board” will notice some subtle adjustments as the design has evolved.įor an outside opinion, please see Mike O’Brien’s review in the latest issue of WoodenBoat (No.
LAUNCHING A WOOD RUNABOUT FOR FIRST TIME FREE
If you are interested in more information on these designs or to speak with us about commissioning your own custom boat, please feel free to contact Ellery Brown at or by phone at 207.359.9807ĭoug’s latest design, previously featured on our “On the Drawing Board” page, has now been fleshed out into both downloadable study plans and printed build plans available in our Stock Plans section. The success of BAGATELLE, the first of this design built in our shop, led to the building of SKYE ( Best in Show, Professionally Built, 25th Annual Woodenboat Show!), and now LILY PAD, pictured above on her launch day.
Good sea keeping, graceful lines, fuel efficiency, and quiet running are hallmarks of Doug’s BOWLER design. LILY PAD – A Doug Hylan BOWLER: 26′ V-Bottom raised-deck weekend cruiser If you would like to be one of the first to know about new projects and boats for sale, please sign up for our newsletter by entering your email here:
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