|
By
DAVID LOCKWOOD
17 July 2006
Never far from the limelight, Chris Craft takes centre stage in the
latest Mission Impossible movie with Tom Cruise fanging along the canals
of Venice in a nail-biting boat chase. More impressively these have been
the Yankee-built boats of choice of the Vanderbilts, Fords and
Firestones, Franklin Roosevelt and John Kennedy, Dean Martin, Frank
Sinatra and Elvis Presley.
So you can appreciate the company I
am keeping when I sally forth aboard Chris Craft's new baby, the
20-foot Speedster. What's more, this is the Woody Edition, with
extra eye candy by way of teak accents, a pretty tan hull, and
engine upgrade.
While no longer built in wood,
Chris Crafts still makes craft that ooze nautical style and team
the latest technology with timeless lines and beautiful
handcrafted accents. The Speedster is a case in point.
The 20-footer was borne out of a
call from faithful owners for a smaller boat, something that would
be suitable for day racing and doing water sports. With a 2.41m
beam, the Speedster Woody Edition is also fully trailerable.
Construction is nothing too exotic
and all GRP, but the devil is very much in the detail. Examine the
finish in out-of-the-way places and you will see meticulousness
not normally found in manufactured boats.
The engine installation and
engineering are in keeping with high-end luxury cruisers and the
finish will most certainly appease fussy buyers. Add the timeless
runabout styling, with tumblehome and flared bow forward, and you
have a boat that covets attention.
The optional tan hull with coach
stripe and teak boarding platform add to the good looks, while an
upgraded 270hp small-block Volvo V8 inboard motor with selectable
Corsa exhaust means this Speedster will be seen and heard. When
switched to straight-through mode, the V8 purrs like a Harley.
The decks are dotted with gorgeous
designer fittings fashioned from high-grade polished stainless
steel and held in place with chromed stainless-steel bolts or
screws, the heads of which were aligned, I noted. The
stainless-steel engine vents, exhaust ports, pop-up cleats, custom
nav light, horn, flagstaff, Chris Craft insignia and badge are all
nice touches.
Yet more style is reflected in the
two-piece AmeriShield windscreen, the stainless steel hinges on
the boat’s opening hatches, and the popup ski pole. And as with
all good dayboats, the Speedster harbours plenty of storage.
There is a mile of dry storage
under the foredeck that can be accessed on your haunches; a big
lined storage bin under the aft lounge; carpet-lined underfloor
ski and wakeboard locker; lined glove box drink holders; clip-in
storage satchel at the helm for personals; and underfloor hatch
with portable Igloo cooler for picnics.
In respect of seating, the
Speedster can take three adults - and comfortably I might add - on
its rear lounge, plus two in the plush helm seats. The camel-coloured
vinyl upholstery and stitching was very well done, with perforated
breather panels, and an almost buttery feel.
You look over the Speedster
windscreen when driving, but don’t fret, as this will forever be
a boat to drive while wearing your sunnies. The helm seats are
adjustable, as is the timber steering wheel and matching
timber-trimmed throttle.
The Speedster had an upgraded Sony
sound system with two-channel amp and powerful speakers, plus
separate in-dash and in-transom remotes. The walnut dash panel had
retro-looking Chris Craft engine gauges - very much the stylish
sporty dayboat raring to go.
I turned the key and the 5.0-litre
GXi MPI 270hp Volvo edged us out of the marina. Before long I was
enjoying a wind-in-your-hair of 23.4 knots at 3000rpm, where the
boat was just so quiet, and a smooth cruise at 3500rpm and 30
knots.
So you are going to cover some
water in the aptly named Speedster. For what it’s worth, Chris
Craft quotes 220km at cruise. And top speed of 41 knots at
4900rpm. Though it’s priced as a premium product and looks the
part, the Speedster isn't all show. Above all else, it delivers a
silken ride that belies its pint size.
lockwood@intercoast.com.au
AT-A-GLANCE
Chris Craft Speedster – Woody Edition
Price as tested: $89,99O w/ Volvo 270hp petrol inboard, trailer,
options, safety gear and registrations. Note: Woody model includes
teak package and emblem, polished seat bases, custom burl dash,
sound installation and selectable exhaust.
Length (overall): 6.15 metres
Beam: 2.41 metres
Weight: Around 1,293kg (dry w/base motor), about 2200-2400kg
loaded on road
Fuel Capacity: 129 litres
Rec/max hp: 270hp
Rec/min hp: 225hp
Engine: Volvo 270hp 5.0L V8 GXi MPI petrol inboard motor with
Aquamatic sterndrive and stainless steel prop.
Details: Chapman Marine Group, Rose Bay, phone (02) 9326 2867 for
your nearest dealer, see www.chriscraft.com
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
|
