In late 2007, we acquired our 1969 Chris Craft Roamer 46. Sa Va had been sitting unloved at Colton’s Point Marina in southern Maryland since the mid-1980s. Fortunately, she hadn’t been molested in all of those years, and virtually all of the original bits and pieces that make old Chris Crafts special were still there.
“Just needs engines and a paint job” is what the seller said.
Indeed…
Pretty lines, but oh…so raggedy.
Not much better from the stern
That plywood aft enclosure and the crane on top don’t help.
The helm was modified but still had lots of original bits
The foredeck was maybe the nicest part of the whole boat
But the paint was in bad shape and the varnish had long since fallen off the mahogany toe rail. still…all the original bits were there.
The tattered curtains gave Sa Va a ghost ship vibe
The original owner cut the factory hatch out of the cabin so he could do a repower in 1972, but it wasn’t re-installed in a very good way. Still, the lines are classic Chris Craft, and we like that.
The salon and galley were cluttered and dirty, but things didn’t look too bad
Maybe all this boat needed was engines and a paint job!
All of the original cabinetry bits, light fixtures, etc were there
The interior cabinetry really looks pretty good
Nice ambiance with the ghost curtains, eh?
The woodwork, though, appeared to be in surprisingly good condition.
The aft cabin had the classic 1960s Ozzy and Harriet beds (what were they thinking???)
But the floors were in good shape and all of the bits and pieces were there.
Aft stateroom cabinetry was in good condition
But it had been painted with acrylic house paint that was peeling off. Where it wasn’t peeling, it was hosting an unhealthy population of mold. Yup…just needs engines and a paint job.
The aft stateroom had an en suite head and shower, but it would take a lot of scrubbing to clean that up
Maybe it’s best to just rip it out and start over…
The 534ci Super SeaMaster twin turbo gas engines were shot
They’d been getting wet from rain falling through the failed cabin top hatch since the 1980s. They’d have to come out.
In spite of all the problems, we saw potential in the old girl. So in November 2007, we got her and started what has become a long-term refit.
1969chriscraftroamer46 
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Q,
I know it is a long shot but do you still have the transom mounted underwater exhaust mufflers? If so I’m interested.
Hi Warren. Sorry, but I sold those a few years ago. They didn’t sell for the longest time, then in one week I got three inquiries. They ended up in Canada.
Cheers,
Q
I must say, your thoughtful photo-documentary really serves as a “guiding light” to all fellow Roameros and classic CC boat owners alike. Very few, I dare say a mere handful of enthusiasts have taken the time and trouble that you obviously have devoted towards edumacting (sic, bushism) the us and the resplendent fleet that will certainly follow in the wake of this, the finest 46 now extant.
Cheers!
-Eric
“Tin Tonic”
Thanks Eric!
Thanx so much for the photos and the dialogue. I’ve seen other treasures llike yours and I do mean treasures. Good thing you saw her first.
Thanks, Steven! There are times when I wish I hadn’t seen her first, but we keep hoping the finished product will be worth the effort. 😉
Cheers,
Q