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What do you know about these?

August 18 2008 at 7:58 PM
  (Login Kloka)

This boat is local, and I've seen it, though have not been aboard, Looks beautiful from 20' away. I know this was originally the Uniflite 28" "Salty Dog" model. How are they built, and how do they ride? WHERE were they built, as a CCC, that is. I believe I may have to get a closer look at this one, though it's not a "traditional" Commander model, it is cool and unique, nonetheless...
http://detroit.craigslist.org/boa/802331625.html

John Kloka
23 Lancer
Klokanuts

 
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AuthorReply

(Login rdougharris)

28 Salty Dog

August 18 2008, 8:39 PM 

Your right, this is the old Uniflite 28 Salty Dog, which became a Chris Craft when Murray Chris Craft bought Uniflite in 1985. This model was by far the best fishing hull in 28 feet Chris Craft had at the time vs. the 28 Catalina. Only built one year, and I think they came out of the plant in Holland Michigan. Small cabin, lots of deck space. Very good in rough seas.

 
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Bill
(Login billinstuart)

Blisters??

August 22 2008, 5:28 PM 

Uniflites were known for good quality hulls, but were prone to excessive, serious blistering. Is this true of the CC model?

 
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(no login)

No Blisters

August 24 2008, 11:12 AM 

Chris Craft didn't have the problems that Uniflite had with gelcoat blisters.

 
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Tom Slayton
(no login)

Uniflite blisters

August 24 2008, 1:04 PM 

To say Uniflite was known for quality hulls, but excessive blisters seems contradictory. There are some good looking Uniflites out there, but the best ones are the hulls that CC bought and built under CC manufacturing standards.

Tom

 
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Bill
(Login billinstuart)

gotta point

August 25 2008, 8:21 AM 

Uh, well, that's kinda true, I guess. The structural aspects of Uniflites was good, but many hulls suffered from osmotic blisters. Not all blistering is detrimental to the structure of the hull. Looks bad, but won't cause the hull to fail, except in extreme cases.

 
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(no login)

Re: Blisters??

August 25 2008, 8:47 AM 

Here is some info I found on Uniflite Blisters. I had looked at one before buying CCC. I think Blister problem was from 1975-79 only.

http://www.unifliteworld.com/

"The Famous (infamous) Blister Problem" The issue regarding the fire-retardant resins causing blisters in later years (1975+) was a result of a change in suppliers of the fire retardant resin (Hetron). Earlier models (prior to 1975) contained a fire retardant called "Hetron" manufactured by Dupont Chemical and these boats did not have any blistering problems. When Dupont ceased production of Hetron 1975, a different fire retardant was used from a different manufacturer. Unfortunately, the new fire retardant contained a solid form of the chemical bromine which, unfortunately, evolved into a gas when the fiberglass was warmed sufficiently. This happened to Uniflites in warmer climates like Florida and California more then it did in the Pacific Northwest. This bromine gas created an acid that ate its way out of the gel coat. For this reason, if you were to grind out a deep blister you would notice a "gooey" material. The only way to remove a blister properly is to grind it out, let it dry, then fill the hole with a vinylester resin ($$). It doesn't solve the problem entirely but should provide a strong barrier (plug) to prevent the blister from reaching the surface again. In reality, the blisters will likely return.

In 1977, Uniflite acquired boat molds from Pacemaker Boat Co. on the East Coast and started a second Uniflite plant in Swansboro, North Carolina.

In 1980, a fire almost totally destroyed the Uniflite plant in Bellingham. However, since they had molds in Swansboro they were able to continue production of their boats.

In 1984, Uniflite was acquired by Chris Craft for $10 per share. Chris Craft built many of the same boats under the Chris Craft label. Unfortunately, Chris Craft stopped production in 1989.

 
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(Login Kloka)

Nice boat!

August 19 2008, 5:55 PM 

Dad and I went went out and took a look at this one today. Very nice, indeed!
Hmmmmm... He's looking for a smaller trailerable boat and is partial to Chris'... a Lancer perhaps?? We'll see....

John Kloka
23 Lancer
Klokanuts

 
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Paul
(no login)

Partial to a Chris Craft ??

August 19 2008, 7:12 PM 

Well I certainly hope so!

See what you can do about that!

Friends don't let friends (or family) drive Sea Rays, Carvers, or Burnscraft.

Paul

 
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Jim
(Login 36TFisher)

28 salty dog hull is rock solid

August 21 2008, 10:38 PM 

My buddy has had a salty dog for over a decade now up here in the Seattle area. Its an awesome boat and if I didn't join the Chris Craft family I would likely be a salty dog owner myself. He converted his to a single diesel and its stout, rock solid in heavy seas, reliable and gets great gas mileage. Lore says the hull was used for the PBR (Patrol Boat River) gunships in Vietnam.


(picture taken a few weeks ago from the helm of a Commander of course)

I love my Sport Fisher and wouldn't trade it for the world but continue to be very impressed with this hull whenever aboard.

Jim
74' 36 Sports Fisher
Seattle

PS. Some of you have asked about whether I see other commanders up here in the northwest... They are definitely here in numbers and as soon as my boat remodel is done I will cruise around and take shots and put together a commander tour of the northwest to post. The teak and holly floors are almost done!

 
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