Chris Wade sent the following photos, and here are some exerpts from his note:
" I am sure, by the way, of the pedigree of my sport fisherman model as the center salon deck hatch has the factory stamped serial numbers starting in FFA. I have some interesting facts about the aft deck configuration. The original gas tanks were an unusual shape for a commander. They were not the tall wide oval shape like the express and sedan. In order to accommodated the tight quarters under the lowered aft deck they were fabed up in a basic flat rectangle and tapered outboard and forward along the shape of the hull. The fill neck was 3 inch hose with an S bend. No possibility of the tried and true gas stick method. Must have come with fuel gauges all though I,m not sure as my gauges are unfortunately not OEM. I also had to replace the bottom section of the steel support channel when I di the tanks and deck. You my notice the new work in the photos. Thanks again, Chris Wade"
I'll post more photos at a later time, Paul
Chris Wade can be reached at the following email addresses, if anyone is interested in purchasing this boat, learning more about it, etc.
Wadecon1@aol.com
wadecon1@msn.com
edit comment: photo montage added at top of thread (Boat is "NOT" for sale, but was at one point in the past. It's a keeper!).
PHOTO OF THE DAY AWARD (January 23, 2007)
Edit Comment: "The photo above was awarded the "Photo of the Day" on January 19 because of the interesting photo composition and great story about how this boat was acquired, and how it is being upgraded now. This is just one of several photos Chris has posted that were awarded "Photo of the Day".
Nice job Chris!
The following comments were noted on January 23, 2007:
“
(ABOVE:) "Feelgood" is a 1965 FFA 38 0005 H w/ twin 1985 CC 350cuin repower, owned by Forum VIP, Chris Wade, who reported the following: "She started life by being delivered to "somethin' somethin' Chris-Craft" in Massachusetts. Then through the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. After that I think she migrated north through the river chain (??) and lakes of Ontario. Finally ending up in Georgian Bay. I have a vague paper trail of marina receipts and other papers that I found on the boat after purchase that leads me to these conclusion. No previous owners have been available to confirm.
She was advertised as a 1969 sedan which in my mind was believable. Hell, she had doors. I new enough about Commanders to know she had a lot of custom work done over the years. The survey told me of the repower in or about 1985. And I could see that the electrical system was rewired as well. What I late found out later was that I had bought a rare FFA, a sportfisherman Commander model built in 1965. Sometime in her life she received a lot of love (and boat units) from a PO. I figure she must have had a complete refit when the repower was done in 1985. At that time (I believe) she was converted to a sedan. The aft deck was framed up level with the salon and cover with a teak deck. The salon doors and paneling were all fabricated from teak. A really cool teak wet bar runs up the starboard side of the salon and includes fridge, icemaker, liquor cabinet and sink and storage cabinets. A nice teak pulpit and and a well constructed swim platform were installed. The main cabin and state room remain fairly original except for appliances and upholstery
Chris is a regular contributor here on the Forum, and he's shared a good many photos of this great looking Commander. Here are a few of the threads noted below, and if you look at the files, you'll find more!”
Some initial photos (boat is no longer for sale, by the way!)
Interior photo documentation, lots of nice custom millwork!
Toe rail replacement begins!
Toe rail progress report!
Paul,
forum moderator
