Good day! I am looking at (from afar right now) a 1957 CC Express Cruiser. 22’ long, has inboard model K 95hp motor and is a plywood CC boat, not a planked boat. I’ve been looking for specs on weight and available interior layouts for these models in 1957. IS this info I would be able to find on the CC club historic archive if I were a member? If the archive is extensive and has this kind of information in it, I would not mind becoming a member at all for access. Not a member now. Thank you in advance for any insight you might be able to offer.
Bill Basler made that archive and would know. Not sure how active it is anymore. Sadly. Sounds like its a Cavalier Model. The mariners Museum In Newport News has all the documents, blue pints and stuff. Might want to reach out to them . Also on ebay may be some brochures.
Thank you Matt! I think it might be a Cavalier too. I personally LOVE the plywood Cavaliers, but I’m an Owens fan too… so… It’s very similar to the top boat and/or the bottom right boat. Looks like it just has the simple V-berth in the front. Securing it would be an adventure and make a solid family boat for us. Also would make GREAT Woodyboater dispatches 
. Might be just a dream right now… but trying to get a handle on weight. I have a 2024 Tacoma and am thinking the 22 foot inboard could be a little heavy for it… OR might be just right. I know the 18 foot Cavelier outboards weigh in at 750 pounds +/-. So maybe the 2022 footer wouldn’t be too bad. Want to narrow down if I can tow it before I make any serious moves. ha
The weight of the one on the top is 1835-2915 lbs. The one on the lower right is 1745-2818 lbs. The difference is whether you ordered the boat with a K engine or with twin outboards. With the K I would lean towards 2000 lbs. plus trailer.
Thank you as well JimF! With my 2024 Tacoma SR5 towing capacity of 6,500#'s and derating that to 80% for safety factor, I get to 5,200#'s. It would appear a plywood cruiser like this would not exceed or really get close to the 5200 number. I do not live on the water, and do not plan on having a larger truck, so want to feel comfortable that the boat+ trailer is likely within the realm of comfortable towing. I have since learned that it is indeed likely a 21 foot Chris Craft Express Cruiser Kit, powered by a 95 hp. Model K. Just getting enough background here to make myself comfortable before I commit to going to see it and bringing it home. A little bit of a jump for me since I’ve only ever played around with 15 foot 1950’s era outboard boats.
In the kit boats you could get a 19’ Sports Express Cruiser or a 21’ Monterey Express.
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Jim, THANK YOU VERY MUCH! Is this from the Chris Craft ‘Bible’ book? If so, I should get my hands on one. Super, Super great info, I really appreciate your willingness to share. I can tell you that the boat in question is a 21 foot Monterey Express Model, which I believe was from 1955 plans. It was completed and registered with the state in 1957. The builder elected to power it with a CC Model K engine. 95hp. I bet it moves pretty decent.
With a hull weight of just over 1,037 lbs, the cabin only having a v-berth in it, and a 750+/- pound model K in it… I’d be willing to bet it weighs 2,500 to 3,000 lbs with the trailer which SHOULD be very comfortable behind my Tacoma. This is looking more and more like a possibility… hmm… decisions, decisions. HA