Dan Aldridge’S 1970 47’ Commander, with a 15’ beam and weighing in at 35, 480 pounds. This boat was offered with 427 gas power, GM 8V53s, and other optional diesel engines during the 10- year model run, this one having the more popular 8V53 diesel power. Cruising speed for this model is 12 to 13 knots. I am a very big fan of the 427 gas motor, but this is a lot of boat for a pair of gas engines to be pushing around. 251 47’ Commanders were bult from 1966 to 1976. Dan emailed in 30 or so images of this boat, and looking through them it’s apparent that the boat is huge inside and out, and it appears to be in great condition. Through the 10-year production run, Chris Craft offered several different interior schemes, including double and single staterooms, and even a fishing cockpit version.
All of the deck hardware on this series was custom crafted in Algonac, Michigan at the Chris Craft plant. In 1973 this model was changed to the Flush Deck, but no major changes were made to the design. The boat has a rather narrow 15’ beam for it’s 47’ length, its modified V hull is reported to have “very good” seakeeping qualities by a notable Yachting publication, and weight is listed at 35,480 pounds by the Essential Guide, and 41,500 pounds by another notable reference. Fuel capacity for the 47 Commander is 350 gallons, with 80 gallons of water storage.
Thank you, Dan, for sharing these images with us, they help document the size, fit, finish, and detail of the 47’ Commander. We understand the boat has recently been put on the market, having been owned by the Aldridge family for the last 25 (twenty five) years! Dan can be reached at dan@ads-protection.com or at 612-202-3023, in the St. Paul, MN area. Dan has not listed a price for this boat, so you’ll have to get that info directly from him, in the event you are fortunate enough to be in the marketplace for one of these great looking large Chris Crafts.
Here are a series of port side hull photos, see the next thread for additional detail photos of the interior and fylbridge.
And now for our standard statement about boats posted here on the FORUM for sale:
This forum is non-commercial, we don't ask for or accept any money for anything, and we don't ask for any personal information, emails, whatever. We do, however, gladly accept photos and information about various models of Chris Craft Commanders, in order to share this with our readers. We are also delighted to be able to help hook up an enthusiastic boat seeker with a good Commander that is for sale, and this is a "win/win" situation. We don't warrant any condition, quality, engine hours, etc., we're just trying to help.
Regards, Paul
