1951 Chris-Craft 18 Gentlemans Racer

TRULY A BARN FIND - INSPIRED VIA THE "JERSEY SPEED SKIFF" THIS 1951 CHRIS-CRAFT / CENTURY 18 GENTLEMAN'S RACER IS A MUST TO CAPTURE -- PLEASE SEE FULL SPECS FOR COMPLETE LISTING DETAILS.

Features a Single Chris-Craft 283-cid 185-hp Gas Engine (Single Inboard w/3-Blade Propeller.)  Notable features include but are not limited to the following: Single-Axle Trailer, (1) Battery, Bennett Trim Tabs, and MUCH more!

History Supplement

Jersey Speed Skiff - This exciting and dynamic boat has been called a fireball for the high speeds it delivers in such a compact package. It’s the Jersey Speed Skiff, a New Jersey-built boat steeped in the state’s history. The stuff of myth and legend, it’s also now an active speedboat class on the racing circuit. And to think that this 16 to 18 feet-long, inboard runabout had such humble beginnings more than a century ago.

The design came out of the Jersey coast in the early 1900s. The clinker-built, sailing/rowing Jersey skiff had a flat bottom so it could be launched and hauled off the beach. The high sides and wine-glass-style transom helped it run through the surf. (Two earlier versions, the Sea Bright skiff and the Southern Shore, differed in design details.)

The first powered Jersey Speed Skiff was most likely built in Oceanport in 1922 by Harold “Pappy” Seaman, according to historian Ned Lloyd. It was a 16-footer with a flat, skeg-less bottom and an inboard engine, built as a pleasure boat for Red Bank boater J.P. Bowers. It didn’t take long for the skiff’s speed and size to attract the attention of a different crowd.

They were the rum-runners. Prohibition was in force, and off the Jersey coast, as many as 60 ships were plying international waters, passing off liquor to small boats, which ran the goods to shore. The Jersey Speed Skiff, with its powerful engine, proved both fast and maneuverable.

Broker Notes:

Notes Shared by Seller:  

This is not a modern reproduction or replica, this is the “real deal” vintage mahogany boat turned “Gentleman’s Racer” (Jersey Speed Skiff) Think of it as the marine version of a vintage hot-rod from the 1950s. Built by a gentleman named John Applegate in South Jersey 60 some years ago using a 1948 Century hull and 1959-60 Chris Craft powertrain. 

Mr. Applegate was a skilled craftsman and he put years of effort into building this boat, it was a labor of love for him. The vast majority of the wood is original to the boat. (Included in the sale is his personal photo album which documents his work on the boat). 

Once completed, it won “Best Vintage Race Boat” at the prestigious St Michaels boat show in Chesapeake Bay, the largest classic and wood boat show in the Mid-Atlantic.

After that, it was used sparingly, mostly for boat shows and museum display and then placed into long time storage until just recently. Truly a “Barn find”

The “Flywheel Forward” Chris Craft 283 has all the period factory goodies on it including the 3- Pass exhaust manifolds, flywheel driven water pump, Chris Craft oil pan and pickup and mechanical tach drive.  It also has the hard to find aluminum intake manifold with lifting ring cast specifically for Chris Craft by Weiand Company. Perched on top is the period Rochester 4-Jet Carb with the very cool dual Bendix/Zenith chrome plated brass USCG approved flame arrestors mounted to the angled cast aluminum base. The engine is coupled to the original early Paragon Transmission. Period correct bronze shaft logs, rudder and custom made 3-blade brass prop.

The boat starts, runs, and sounds as good as it looks!