Today, I can finally say I am the proud owner of a 1969 Commander 35 Express, hull #FXA 35 2049H As a previous 27 Express owner, I can say that I'm extremely happy to be on the lake in another Commander. I was really in the market for a 31 Express, but this 35 is in such beautiful condition, I couldn't pass her up! Oh well, I just skipped a step up the ladder. She'll be named "Klokanuts" and will be moored at MacRay Harbor on Lake St. Clair. I look forward to meeting you at the Rondezvous at Algonac Harbor this summer! Pictures soon...
Thanks!
Let's see if I get this photobucket thingy right on the first try...
John Kloka
1969 35 Express
Klokanuts
edit comment noted below:
PHOTO OF THE DAY AWARD (March 12, 2007)
"The photo above (showing John's new acquisition on the trailer) was awarded the "Photo of the Day" during the week of March 12, 2007 because it demonstrates the enthusiasm an experienced boater can have with a vintage Commander. This is not John's first Commander, by the way!
-----> Nice catch John! <-----
The following comments were noted:
John Kloka’s new 35 Express, being prepared now for the 2007 boating season on beautiful Lake St. Clair, Michigan. For those of you who may not be familiar with Lake St. Clair, it has some of the nicest waterfront boating residences anywhere! It’s right where “it all began” in Michigan, with Chris Craft too, with easy access to Lake Huron or Lake Erie. Lake St. Clair was the testing ground for just about all of the early wood Chris Craft boats, and the area is steeped in Chris Craft history. It would be an ideal place to own a Chris Craft Commander, and John obviously agrees. There's no better way to energize the family and raise the excitement level in anticipation of the 2007 boating season, than to pick up a new boat like this one! She's a beauty, John!
John wrote: “Today, I can finally say I am the proud owner of a 1969 Commander 35 Express, hull #FXA 35 2049H As a previous 27 Express owner, I can say that I'm extremely happy to be on the lake in another Commander. I was really in the market for a 31 Express, but this 35 is in such beautiful condition, I couldn't pass her up! Oh well, I just skipped a step up the ladder. She'll be named "KLOKANUTS" and will be moored at MacRay Harbor on Lake St. Clair.”
Paul,
forum moderator
This message has been edited by FEfinaticP on Mar 16, 2007 3:54 PM
The 35 is a STRONG design, as wide as the 38, big beefy hull as you can see from the port side shot, plenty of room inside, nice aft deck. They're small enough for one guy to wheel around in, and large enough to enjoy much of the large boat amenities.
Janet and I want to take a close look at this boat if you have her at Algonac, if not, we'll just sit back and enjoy the photos. The two of us are drawn like magnets to a Chris Craft ! We can smell a marina a mile away, and we can find all of the Chris Craft boats in very short order, under tarp or not!
Looking forward to seeing more images and learning more about you and your boat!
Those pics are from the previous owner. I look forward to taking a few of my own! I'm sure we'll be in Algonac that weekend as the Harbor is literally across the channel from Russell Island, where we spend most of the boating season anyway. My wife Anne and I have two daughters, 2 and 4 years old, and we are looking forward to creating many fond memories on our "new" 35!
In any case, good job getting to it first, because anyone in the region "up there" on the big lakes who was looking for a NICE 35, could have done a lot worse than to get this one. You guys are going to have a ball !
Actually, this 35 has been for sale locally, although I did see it here as well. She's a beauty allright. I guess it's my turn to take care of her for a while...
Congratulations, John, for being the man who stepped up to the plate and got this boat before the 2007 boating season. Good job. Had you waited, I'm sure someone else would have snatched the prize. I am really impressed how many Chris Craft boats remain in your part of the country, in such great shape. First of all there were a lot of them from the start, but people in your part of the world respect these boats and know how to care for them too.
I think you're going to enjoy this one for a long time. This is a great model, just a bit shorter than a 38, but with just about everything a 38 has to offer.
Congratulations! That Commander looks great. I will be looking for it in Michigan. Give me a heads up should you take a trip to Traverse City this summer. I'd like to say hello out on West Grand Traverse Bay.
There's a lot to be said for the 35 Express. Moving up from a 27 you will think you are driving the QE-II at first, but you will soon learn to like the heft. Very solid ride, very solid! Good looking too !!!\
Welcome back to Commanderville, once their in your blood it's hard to go without. Some of us that participate in this forum need a group for our itis'es. Or would that be itisee. Whatever, looks like you found a good one and congrats. Do you ever make the trip down to Put-in-Bay? If I see you there the first rounds on me!
Man, can I relate to that! I dock at the closet marina to the bay that can be reached by car (Gem Beach). We pay a premium for dockage but, save a fortune in fuel only to give it back to brewing industry. I would love to get together with you this summer when you come down.
My how time passes quickly when you're having fun!
Here is a post a few short months ago, when John bought KLOKANUTS. I've seen the boat in person about a year ago, but since then it has been resold to another lucky owner (the boat was in exceptional condition by the way) and John is presently in a 23' Lancer. Yes, the Lancer is also for sale now, as John attempts to deal with the fact that he is in prime boat country up on the Great Lakes with so many great selections to choose from. He's in the hot pursuit of a 31' Commander Express now.
Stay tuned!
So many boats.......................so little time..............but what a way to go!
The two of us are drawn like magnets to a Chris Craft ! We can smell a marina a mile away, and we can find all of the Chris Craft boats in very short order, under tarp or not! 
