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!

United Yacht Sales is pleased to assist you in the purchase of this vessel. This
boat is centrally listed by Temptation Yacht Sales. It is offered as a
convenience by this broker/dealer to its clients and is not intended to convey
direct representation of a particular vessel