It's been about a year since I received these photos from Mike, and I recently found them doing some file maintenance. You'll note Mike's boat has been featured here before, but not with all these photos!
Here's the info:
"Paul - attached are several pics of the Hooz-A-Bum v - a 1971 Chris Craft Commander Sports Cruiser model with twin 427s.
Mike Schrage"
Mike, In case you haven't see them, there are lots of great photos and files in the MASTER INDEX about the SF, TF, Sports Cruiser, and Convertible series of Chris Craft Commanders, all similar boats but called by different names. This one is the 35' model, and it was only made four years, 1969-1972, with 164 being built. It is a hard edge style compared to the somewhat softened and redesigned 36, 42, and 45 of 1973-77
Regards, Paul
edit comment: This great photo has been added !
Here is a photo sent in a year later (from August of 2007) actually. That happens to be your forum host aboard the flybridge, wearing the red hat with my back to the camera. I didn't get in the photo, but I got in on the ride! What a wonderful time we had aboard this boat, 427 motors running perfectly. Thanks again, Mike, for the ride and for sending in this great photo.
Regards,
Paul
This message has been edited by FEfinaticP on Apr 15, 2008 4:49 AM This message has been edited by FEfinaticP on Dec 18, 2007 2:31 AM
They made 131 of these 36' Sports Cruisers/Tournament Fishermen in the 5-year production run of 1973-77. Beam is 13' weight is 22,600 - 25,300 and power was either 427, 454, Cummings H20V or V-555.
In 1973 Chris Craft made an almost identical model (only 2 were built, oddly) and the weight was down to 18,077 - 20,131 pounds. The boat was "identical" in appearance except the bottom was blue, while the 131 boats previously mentioned came in a bronze or blue. Only 427 power was offered in the two 1973 special models. The serial number on the specials were FFA-36-001 and FFA-36-002. The model was called the "Tournament Fisherman", and if you have this boat, by all means send us a note !!
Below, "FANDANGO" another beautiful 36 I photographed in South Haven Michigan several years ago. The boat was spotless, and exceptionally well maintained. The design is quite deceptive. The beam of this boat is the same as the 38 Commander and the boat is two feet shorter, however, the interior layout would suggest it's a longer boat with more beam. Very clever use of interior space, and one of Dick Avery's better designs !
The 36 is loaded with features ( Photos and Scans )
January 28 2007, 1:17 PM
Look at that flybridge seating arrangement. Does that look like fun or what!? These are highly desirable boats. Look at something bran new, and then look at this configuration and design. Too bad CC isn't building these today!! Chris Craft, are you listening? You could do a lot worse than to resurrect this as a part of your new "Classic Series".
Tim once told me the molds from Chris Craft became part of an artificial reef somewhere so they are long gone unfortunately. He had talked to someone who knew don't ask me who but if Tim said so I kind of took it as gospel that it was so. Maybe he will chime in here and tell us the whole story?
Comparison between the 35, 36 and 42 of this immediate era
December 18 2007, 3:19 AM
Here is a comparison of the early series 35’ Sports Cruiser like Mike’s 1971 model, and the later series (second photo below) 36’ Sports Cruiser/Tournament Fisherman of 1973-77.
164 of these 35s were built in 4 years. It was the little sister to the 42’ Sports Cruiser, which was built on a stretched 38 Express hull (Sometimes called the “Sports Convertible”), produced during 1968 – 1972.
131 of these modernized 36s were built in 5 years.
The lines are a little softer on the 36, and the cabin windshield is not as tall as on the older 35, and you can see the upper helm station has been stretched too. The design tweaks make the 36 look faster by giving the window a more elongated rectangular proportion, but the 35 has that more dated looking charm, and I happen to love the tall glass. Both are fantastic boats on the water or at the dock!
By comparison, here (below) is a photo of the 42’ Sports Cruiser of 1968 – 1972. This boat was built from a stretched 38 Express hull, and it was Chris Craft’s first venture into a true and dedicated “Sports Fisherman” type of design. I happen to think this is one of the all-time greats. Note the taller cabin glass on the port and starboard side, very similar to Mike Schrage’s 35’ version of this boat.
Working on a cup of coffee this morning and doing a little file maintenance, deleting some of the old chatting files that were fun but are not informative, I discovered we have a LOT more photos of this particular boat, which can be found at the following link. Check it out!
Here is Therese Schrage, in her element, all smiles and ready for a boat ride. Shortly after this photo was taken, we took the boat out for a two hour cruise with 8 other people. What fun!
Here's Mike! (In "his" element).
One of my alltime favorite boating photos, our good friend Mark Weller at the ladder, with Janet seated and watching. Those smiles show just how much FUN we had out on the water that day.
Always fun to see pics of the boat online... thanks.
The Hooz-A-Bum is getting ready to go in the water - May 3rd launch. She's going in a bit earlier than usual this year to serve as the flag boat from which a sailboat match racing series will be run. (On the Detroit River with 10 teams of sailors coming in from all over the world.) With the press coverage that's expected, we might catch a glimpse of the ol' girl in print in one of the sailing rags that covers the race.
Good hearing from you, hope all is well. It sounds like the Hooz-A-Bum is going to get some limelight. Give our regards to Therese, thanks again for your hospitality last summer, that was one great boat ride!
