The first of the 31 Commanders, offering a choice of twin 283 or 327 cubic inch motors, with 185 or 210-hp each respectively. Hardtop, bow and side rails were extra cost items.

Note on the last sheet, the height listing for "domestic" and "export". We know some of these were exported new to many other countries. Heidi and Paul are running a 31' Commander (Sedan model) in the English Channel now!









The 31 was offered in an Express, Sports Express, and a beautiful Sedan as shown in the photo below. This is Robert and Gerry Pletcher aboard SHADY LADY, on the Cumberland River in Central Tennessee. This boat is in immaculate condition and it is used regularly.


The same 31' hull was also offered in a 31' Sports Express, as shown below. The SE was available with small block Chevrolet power or big block Ford power, and either way it's a fast boat with lots of utility and style.



The 31' series is one of the most popular of the entire lineup, and with good reason. In times of high fuel costs, these boats still are attractive on the market because they are efficient, and they look so good. After all, they are "all Commander" all the way! With superb attention to detail, a great finish, and the legendary bullet-proof fiberglass construction, these 31' hulls represent some of the best of the Commander line.


Regards, Paul


The following cross reference takes you to a treasure trove of additional info about the 31' Sports Express, a stunning example photographed up on Lake Erie during the summer of 2008.
http://www.network54.com/Forum/424840/message/1229269994

I love looking at the CCC brochures and especially what was listed as "standard equipment" such as anchor and line,dock lines,bow and stern poles and weather curtains just to name a few.
Many years ago, way before my Commander "enlightenment",I purchased a new boat on two occasions,a 1979 19'runabout and a 1985 25' aftcabin cruiser from the same mfg. and the same dealer.
The mere suggestion that the dealer toss in an anchor,a couple of flares or a dock line was greeted by shear bewilderment. Go figure.
Stay warm all.Less than 3 mos. til launch.
Regards, Steve

Here is the option list posted earlier abut hte 35 Commander Salon. It wouldn't be long before the boxes you checked added up to a BIG number. As with real estate, and development projects, it's often the second or third buyer who really gets the deal !



Regarding the option list, I had the same impression looking at the new Porsche Carrera option list, because it included floor mats. I wonder if the dealer would throw in a pair of floor mats on a car that costs over a hundred grand? I'd love to have one by the way, but I am happy driving a 22-year old front engine 928. I had to buy my own floor mats for it too !

Back to boats, I don't believe I've seen an option called "a stick" for measuring fuel level. Apparently that was standard equipment.

Regards, 'tough staying warm this weekend!

Paul

Regards,
Paul

Regards,
Paul

Regards,

Paul

Another scan of the SE



I could learn to love one of these !

So many boats, so little time !

Paul

I have a 1972 sports express. The engine hatch under the stairs was not attached when I purchased the boat. If the hatch was set up to hinge outward it would hit bottom of the stairs. Anyone know how these hatches came from the factory? Maybe it just lays in place. There is no sign of recent hinges.
Thank you for any help.

Seems like the center hatch lays on top of the two side ones. and is picked up for access. I've had 2 sets of hatches, and neither was hinged. Originally these hatches were pretty light, with some kind of cardboard core.

Another scan of the 1971 Commander !



Regards, Paul

Here's another scan of the 31 FB EXP



Regards, Paul

Anyone searching information on the 31, check out the following link. There are lots of great photos and manufacturers info too.

Regards, happy reading!

Paul

http://www.network54.com/Forum/424840/message/1149809895

The 31 first entered production in 1966 with the 31' Commander, and the hull remained in production until 1974. Final production was 1,110 hulls, making this the most widely produced Commander product of all time. It was a good thing, people recognized the value, and Chris Craft dealerships enjoyed a lot of smiles with this model.

Here are the numbers, for the record, some lifted from the recent post from Dave Mehl, who helped get this list started. Thanks Dave!

31' Commander, 542 produced.
FXA 31 0001 to FXA 31 0100 (1966)
FXA 31 2001 to FXA 31 2145 (1967)
FXA 31 3001 to FXA 31 3120 (1968)
FXA 31 4001 to FXA 31 4095 (1969)
FXA 31 5001 to FXA 31 5082 (1970-72)
Weight: 8175 pounds

31' Sports Express, 410 produced.
FSA 31 0001 to FSA 31 0060 (1967)
FSA 31 2001 to FSA 31 2075 (1968)
FSA 31 3001 to FSA 31 3100 (1969)
FSA 31 4001 to FSA 31 4080 (1970-71)
FSA 31 5001 to FSA 31 5095 (1972-74)
Weight: 9320-10,000 depending upon power options.

31' Commander Sedan, 158 produced.
FDA 31 0001 to FDA 31 0080 (1969)
FDA 31 2001 to FDA 31 2058 (1970)
FDA 31 3001 to FDA 31 3020 (1971-72)
Weight: 11,500 pounds.

Length 31'
Beam 11'-3"
Draft 28" (Less than the 19' and 23' Commander !)

NOTE: The weight listings may not recognize the optional Command Bridge feature that was installed on some of the boats, such as seen on Rob Schiller's EAGLES NEST.

Regards, Paul

I am looking at purchasing a 31 Commander. I'm not sure what year it is. The buyer says it's a 1977 but it looks like they stopped production in 1972. Where would I locate the production number on the boat?

Thanks,
Paul

If it is a '77, it should be on the starboard side of the transom. Before transom numbers, CC put the hull number on the port side of the hull, INSIDE the rope locker at the bow. It's pretty small, and covered with clear fiberglass. Sometimes the number is on the BOTTOM of the plywood that forms the forward Vee berths.

The Sports Express has always been one of my favorites. It's a great combination of small cruiser and big runabout, and with twin engine power up to 600-hp, these will fly!








Regards,

Paul

Lots of utility, and lots of glass !

Regards,

Paul

Check this out.







Here is the published photo used to help sell the 31' Sports Express








Here is the real deal, as photographed in Ohio last August at the big Commander Rendezvous.








This is THE nicest 31 Express I've seen. I know Gary Otto has a nice one with 427 power, but I have not seen his. This one was nearly one hundred percent original, and totally unmolested. I saw another 31 Express for sale recently, and it was also up on Lake Erie, but sadly with enough additional stainless tubing and upper enclosure tacked on everywhere to sink a dinghy, stuff stuck everywhere like there was a brother-in-law in the tubing business. It ruined the lines of this classic boat, quite frankly.

Take a look at this one. Feast your eyes, it's a true classic in the best sense, I see a few things that look like they may be custom, like the upper end of the helm instrument panel, but it was very well done and restrained, in keeping with the best intentions of the boat, in fact, it may be original.
















When you see a true unmolested classic like this, you know why we put such a high value on the preservation and maintainence of the original fleet. This one speaks for itself.


Regards,

Paul

These boats look good with the flybridge, but they also look VERY GOOD without it too. The flybridge on a boat this size is a space multiplier and adds to the fun, however the basic lines of the hardtop look much like some of the elegant Ford Galaxies of the 1960s, and the boat is very cool without the flybridge (too). Below are some photos of the 1964 (and a 1963) Ford Galaxie, with that notable roofline that seems to have been used on the 31' Sports Express.








And now for the marine application of the Galaxie roofline?




The following is from the "PHOTO OF THE DAY" writeup on December 15, 2008.
So here we were, standing in heaven on a pretty day, and we noticed the unmistakable burble of a pair of Chris Craft small blocks. Upon turning to look, we saw a magnificently maintained 31 Commander Sports Express entering the harbor. The boat looked nearly 100% original, and it was a beautiful sight to behold, gliding effortlessly into the harbor, doing a nice pivot turn, and backing up to the dock like the captain has done this before. The captain, by the way, has done this before, and it was one of those rare treats to watch that makes it worth traveling to Huron, Ohio, on August 21 23, 2009, for THE big Commander event of the 2009 season. Not too long ago I saw one of these beautiful SE models cobbled up with enough stainless steel tubing and upper canvas enclosures to sink a dinghy, and the results looked half way between a deer stand and a back yard tree house. Lots of money was obviously spent, but to me the value of that boat dropped like a rock with each new screw hole drilled, especially when put side by side with this beautiful original condition boat.

The mission of this web site is to help preserve the classic fleet, through the sharing of information like this. If you have a brother-in-law in the stainless steel tubing or canvas enclosure business, and you like to fish, please dont try to make a classic Commander something it is not, by adding something that looks like a back yard tree house and would make Dick Avery shed a tear. Go drill on something else! Many of the Commander models were intended for fishing, but this doesn't mean people should be adding some sort of an appendage grafted onto the classic boats that makes the casual observer wonder if Elvis was the designer. We have some very notable examples how classic boats can be upgraded for the most serious fishing duty without bastardizing the boat, and look good doing it too. Bill Millar certainly set a standard on this with his 30' Sportsman, and Jay Meyerson set a standard for total modernizaiton of his 35' Sports Cruiser, all new electronics and new engines, but you can't even tell by looking at the boat. When done with care, upgrades can add safety, utility, and value to the boat. Originality is always going to be prized, however, at the Barrett Jackson automotive auctions, and with classic boats too. Upgraded boats offer many good features, my own included, but well maintained original boats will always be sought after, appreciated, and will always demand a respectable price.




Regards,

Paul

http://www.network54.com/Forum/424840/message/1171645795

This link contains a ton of info on the 31' Commander Express/Sedan with and without the flybridge, as well as the Sports Express. This is cross-linked here to assist with research being done on thhe models.







Paul