ChrisCraft Commander 31' from Ventura, CA to Marina del Rey, CA

[marinamads]

Hi there-

I'm looking to purchase a 1969 Chris Craft Commander 31' in Ventura. I want the boat for liveaboard so not super concerned about mechanical issues. Engines are down, one turns over. I called BoatUS to get a towing quote and they said around $3k...Any ideas for how to get the boat to a slip in MdR in a more affordable way? Is mounting an outboard a crazy idea? Would transporting it on land be cheaper?

Thanks,
M

[Reel Love]

I looked at buying a Chris Craft Commander 31' many times. Absolutely a beautiful boat if you're considering the SF model. I had a 1964 wood 36 Chris Craft Commander when I was a much younger man. The interiors on those boats were great.

As to getting her home... they are not that wide so I would have her trucked home. It's not just the engines you have to worry about. It's the electrical system, its the fuel system, its the engine cooling system, its hull integrity, its the electronics.

When it is all said and done, the prudent thing to do is to put her on a truck and not have the aggravation of worrying if you are going to make home port.

Conversely, you should also consider leaving her where she is, have her hauled, and the do most if not all of your repairs before taking her home. If you can make her ship shape where she is, you will not have any transport costs and you will have a nice run home.

As I do not know where you live in relation to the boat, I cannot tell you which is the better choice. But you would have a place to stay if you had her repaired in Ventura before taking her home.