1930 Chris-Craft

Allez

A Little History

In the booming times of the 1920’s the world was everybody’s oyster and anything seemed possible so at the turn of the decade Chris Smith and Sons Boat Company (Chris Craft) of Algonac, Michigan announced plans to build thirty (30) commuter-style yachts with every modern feature and comfort known to man at the time contained in this 48’ speedster. Nothing better describes the optimism of the day better than the marketing copy introducing the company’s self-proclaimed Flagship to the yachting public.

“Aristocrat it is, line and fitment, fleet, streamlined and luxurious throughout. Even Chris-Craft, the largest organization of its kind in the world can offer but thirty of these 48-foot wonder ships for 1930. Only thirty can be built to the standards set for this flagship of flagships.

Naturally those seeking the ultimate in a craft that is fleet as the wind yet able to be controlled by a boy will want to be among the fortunate thirty. Their ships this year will be true flagship, center of all admiring eyes – possessors of the height of boating luxury.”

This optimism was just that (optimistic) and the grand plans of Chris Craft of becoming the purveyors of elegant watercraft to the elite of the day were dashed on October 29, 1929 (sometimes know as Black Thursday) with the Wall Street stock market crash that would grow into the Great Depression which would effect the world’s economy for the next several years and all but completely dry up the market pool of well-healed buyers for this Chris Craft company Flagship. In the end only five of the 48’ commuters were built and it is perhaps fitting that they only one still in service was the first of the model built to be named Allez that was built for company founder Chris Smith.

Allez was featured in original1930’s vintage Chris Craft's sales literature and under the ownership of Chris Smith cruised from the Great Lakes to the US East Coast for display in 1930 New York City and Miami Boat shows prior to her first new ownership just 6 months after her initial launching.

Since the 1930’s Allez (under several ownerships) would cruise the extent of the US East Coast following the seasons, eventually ending up on Lake Champlain and ultimately in 1976 being moved to Montreal to become part of a private collection of vintage and historic boats. Under that and the current ownerships Allez has seen significant restoration of hull, decks and cabins along with updating of all ship’s systems and equipment. See the following timeline for a history work done and care taken to bring this classic and historic vessel back to her position as the true Flagship of the Chris Craft fleet.

A Timeline of Restorations and Upgrades

1985-1990: Transom replaced to include all structural members, transom planking, aft deck, aft topsides and bottom planking. Port cabin sides replaced. Cabin tops stripped of ols painted canvas and overlaid with fiberglass cloth set in epoxy with painted exterior surfaces. All new interior joinery throughout. All new electrical systems and wiring. All new freshwater plumbing and tankage. New galley refrigerators. Add bow thruster for easier boat handling in close quarters and docking.

1992: Install new engines, transmissions and drive train / shafts / props / etc. New engines 1992, Mercruiser model 454 / 340 HP. Install new Kohler generator

2005: All surfaces above the waterline stripped and recoated with painted finish for topsides and cabin tops and revarnishing (12-15 coats) on all brightwork. Bilges stripped to bare wood, epoxy sealed and repainted (bilge coat gray)

2006: All new interior and exterior upholstery and fabrics, Forward cockpit windshield replaced to match original design

2009: After 1/3 of bottom replaced to include principle structural members of transom, shaft logs and shaft strut supports along with all interior and exterior planking. Fuel tanks (3ea) removed, refurbished, repainted and reinstalled

2017: Engines completely rebuilt. Fuel system replumbed.

Principle Dimensions and Information

Designer: Christopher Columbus Smith

Builder: Chris Smith & Sons Boat Company / Chris Craft

Year Built: 1930

LOA: 48’, 0”

Beam: 11’, 6”

Draft: 3’, 9”

Displacement: 33,000 lbs.

Propulsion: 2019, Mercruiser, Model 454, 330 HP, Gasoline Engines (2ea)

Fuel Capacity: 300 Gallons

Freshwater Capacity: 90 Gallons

Interior Accommodations and Layout

General

Two cabin (forward owners and aft crew) arrangement separated by main cockpit and helm station.

Interior spaces below decks are finished in varnished mahogany with contrasting white bulkheads in both galley and head areas to better protect the interior woodwork of these potentially wet areas,

Contrasting white painted overheads accented by varnished mahogany cabin top beams are is the standard for both forward and aft cabins.

Natural light and ventilation is well provided for by fixed and opening ports and windows in cabin sides with additional ventilation provided by deck doarde vent cowls.

Forward / Owners Cabins

Companionway entry door from cockpit to forward cabin offset to starboard.

Short companionway ladder down to main saloon with writing desk and storage cabinetry immediately forward and dinette with forward and aft facing settees to port.

Step down from main saloon to more forward areas of owners cabins.

Next forward (to port) is the galley area with storage for glassware, china, cutlery and utensils in racks and drawers / double basin stainless steel sink with hot and cold pressure water / refrigerator / Panasonic microwave oven and 3-burner electric Princess stove and oven.

Opposite from galley (to starboard) is a full size private head area with manually operated marine toilet, porcelain sink basin with hot and cold pressure water and separate stall shower also provided with hot and cold pressure water.

Furthest forward is the full beam forward sleeping cabin with berthing space for four (4) persons.

Aft / Crews Cabin

Entry to aft / crews cabin by way of sliding companionway hatch and opening door offset to port aft end of deck house, descend companionway ladder to crews quarters. Enclosed private head to starboard with marine toilet and porcelain sink basin with hot and cold pressure water

Sleeping space for two (2) persons in athwartships bunk beds at forward end of crews cabin.

Hull, Deck and Cabin / Superstructure Construction

Hard chine, semi-planing underwater configuration with straight keelson, keel skeg on center line with engine(s) running gear (shafts, struts & props) to port and starboard.

Mahogany stem, keelson, keel and skeg

Double planked mahogany hull with anti-fouling paint below the waterline, a single white boot stripe at waterline and varnished topsides / transom from boot stripe to hull to deck joint.

Stem and stern quarters protected by polished stainless steel guards

Frames, floors, stringers and other internal structural members are of fir and white oak with gray painted finish

Interior bulkheads (full and partial) are of varnished mahogany.

Deck overlapping topsides at sheer clamp

Varnished mahogany rub rail with polished stainless steel guard rail at

Mahogany decks with varnished finish

Mahogany exterior cabin sides, bulkheads, rails, windshield, cockpit coamings and associated joinery with varnished finish.

Mahogany cabin tops overlaid with fiberglass cloth set in epoxy with white painted finish.

Deck Layout, Hardware and Features (fore to aft)

Working Decks

Varnished mahogany toe rails port and starboard

Laid varnished mahogany decks

Polished stainless steel stem iron with integral navigational lighting and burgee staff socket

Polished stainless steel docking line chocks port and starboard

Restored windlass on center line

Polished stainless steel (bow line) docking cleats port and starboard outboard of windlass

Circular varnished mahogany and polished stainless steel deck hatch providing thru-deck access to chain locker

Danforth anchor stored in chocks to port outboard of chain locker deck hatch

Forward cockpit with varnished mahogany windshield and upholstered seating

Polished stainless steel (spring line) docking cleats with chafe guards port and starboard Polished stainless steel stanchion and varnished mahogany side safety rails port, starboard and aft Polished stainless steel bollards port and starboard at aft quarters

Circular varnished mahogany and polished stainless steel deck hatch providing thru-deck access to lazarette storage.

Cabin Tops

Forward most cabin top has polished stainless steel handrails port and starboard with opening hatch on centerline furthest aft

Cabin top above main saloon areas has polished stainless steel hand rails and horns port and starboard along with polished stainless steel search light to starboard

Aft cabin top has tabernacle / mast step for flag mast, polished stainless steel dorade cowls for engine room ventilation and sliding companionway hatch for aft cabin entry.

Center cockpit has raised varnished mahogany cockpit coamings with openings to deck port and starboard with upholstered seating aft and all ships and engine controls forward.

Propulsion and Fuel Systems and Equipment

Twin engine gasoline fueled propulsion

Mercury Marine, model 454, 330 HP, FWC engines (2ea)

Engine Hours: 0.00 on complete rebuilds as per 2022 marine survey

Original scrolled engine panels with tachometer and engine status gauges for fuel supply, charging amperage, water temperature and oil pressure

Duel single-lever Morse controls for throttle and transmission control

ZF transmissions

Bronze propellor shafts

4-Blade bronze propellors

Fuel Capacity: 300 Gallons

Tanks” Aluminum 3 x 100 Gallons

Duel Racor fuel filter system

Steering and Ship Handling Equipment

Polished stainless steel and varnished mahogany steering wheel

Polished stainless steel steering pedestal

Vetus hydraulic steering

Bronze rudder posts and rudders (2ea)

Vetus bow thruster

Electronics and Navigational Equipment

Danforth magnetic helm compass in polished stainless steel and cut glass binnacle

Azimuth 1000 digital helm compass

Uniden VHF radio

Datamarine LX201 depth sounder

Electrical Systems and Equipment

12-Volt DC ships power and 110-Volt AC shore . generator power electrical systems

Separate battery banks for ships systems, engine start and generator start

Rotary style battery selector switches

12-Volt DC distribution panel with circuits for all ship’s electrical functions

110-Volt AC / 30 Amp shore power cord

110-Volt AC shore power panel

Kohler 6.5 Kw generator

Battery charging by engine alternators (2ea)

Battery charging by Guest 40 Amp battery charger

Freshwater Plumbing and Sanitation Systems and Equipment

Freshwater Capacity: 90 Gallons

Hot and cold pressure water system

Stainless steel sink basin in galley

Porcelain sink basins in heads (2 ea.)

Separate stall shower in forward head

Jabsco manually operated marine toilets (2ea)

Ground Tackle Systems and Equipment

Anchor windlass

Danforth anchor with appropriate chain and rode

Dewatering Equipment

Attwood S1-1100 GPH electric / automatic bilge pumps (2ea) in forward and aft bilge areas

Safety and Required Equipment

PFD’s. Type IV, Life Rings (2ea)

Ships bell

Oil discharge placard

Trash management placard

First aid kit

Searchlight

Fire extinguishers

Firebouy fire suppression system in engine room

Disclaimer

Brooklin Boat Yard offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change or withdrawal without notice.

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