1956 Correct Craft Collegian

Hello,

I have not been out here for awhile, but I just came across an interesting boat that I thought might be of interest to some. It is a 1956 Correct Craft Collegian 18'. The boat is complete and has about a 1/2 done restoration. The interior has been completely redone and is out of the boat. It has a 389 Pontiac motor which seems a little unusual. Did they put them in boats back then? The interesting thing is that it is all factory double planked mahogany, very high quality construction.

Does anyone know anything about this model or have they ever seen one. I did get some information from the reference section. It looks to be very sporty with the stern completely covered and some accent wood on the sides. Perhaps this was a model to compete with the higher end Chris Crafts of that era. With a 389 in it I bet it moved right along.

I don't think I am ready to get into a vintage wood boat, but who knows. Any thoughts would be appreciate.

Thanks,
Vince

Vince, good to hear from you. Check out the thread on the Boston boat show- we're getting together again this year.

Im sure Pete will be along to comment on the boat- he loves the woodies.

Hey Guys,

It is great to get such fast replies around here.

I agree the engine must have been a retrofit. In the reference section it says it came with a Gray. Whoever put the engine in made an interesting choice going with a Pontiac V8. I am also interested to see who did the marinization. The owner is going to forward me some pictures so as soon as I get them I will post them here.

TRBenj I will definitely check out the thread and I hope to see you at the boat show, hopefully with my buddy Dale (Duck Soup). I have been a little out of the Correct Craft realm lately as I have been involved with my new boat project. It is a 1970 Chris Craft XK19. I got a little carried away and started a registry website for owners of this boat XK19.net. It�s a pretty rare, unique boat that was produced in both V-drive and stern drives with factory Chevrolet V8s ranging in power from 210hp up to 350hp using LT1 Corvette engines. Only 276 produced over a 5 year period. Here are a few links if you want to get a feel for what the boat is about.

XK19.com
XK19 restoration (69 SS)

Sorry for rambling on here, I�m just a little excited about my new boat.

Back to the Collegian, I will definitely have to talk to Pete and see what he may know about these boats. I am probably not a buyer so if others are interested in buying let me know.

Thanks,
Vince

Hey Tim,

Mine is actually the stern drive with a Volvo Penta 250. My heart is with the V-Drives but I really wanted the high performance engine only available with the stern drive. It has the stock Chevy rated at 310 hp.

The boat out of the box from Chris Craft will do 53mph. I have not yet experienced this first hand as I am doing a restoration. I believe it will reach its rated speed without modification due mostly to its hull design and power. Certainly not due to weight as it is fairly heavy at 2900 lbs. Lots of fiberglass.

Thanks for your interest Tim!

Vince

Forestport Boat works in Upstate NY will sell you one of these restored CC's for $35K. Really cool boats. The V-drives are very rare, most with Chrysler engines...

CCCC, yours is looking great.. Keep the pics coming of the interior etc..

Moj

Mojo wrote: Forestport Boat works in Upstate NY will sell you one of these restored CC's for $35K. Really cool boats. The V-drives are very rare, most with Chrysler engines... CCCC, yours is looking great.. Keep the pics coming of the interior etc.. Moj

Moj, I spent all my summers as a lad on the lake in forestport. Dont get there much any more but stopped by for old times sake last summer. Stopped in at the boat works but they were closed. Some neat stuff in the yard and through the windows tho. They like working on old glass there, even tho they do wood too.

Mojo wrote: I'll bet you have fond memories of visiting up there.. Beautiful country !!! Moj'

Yes it is. Many fond memories. Many many laps around that lake behind the old mustang

Hello, this is my first post because Im new to this site. If any of you are interested in the 1956 Correct Craft Collegian please call me and I will give you all the information on the boat. My number is 865-376-4511 before 11:00 pm est. The boat is apart and the bottom planks are cut and ready to screw down. The boat is complete and does have a Pontiac 389 that was converted in 1959 by a boat shop that did the 389 conversion to 8 Correct Crafts in Knoxville, Tennessee in the late 1950's. Everything is boxed and labeled. The boat is sitting on a Mastercraft trailer. Thanks, Richy.

Cape Cod CC wrote: Hello, I have not been out here for awhile, but I just came across an interesting boat that I thought might be of interest to some. It is a 1956 Correct Craft Collegian 18'. The boat is complete and has about a 1/2 done restoration. The interior has been completely redone and is out of the boat. It has a 389 Pontiac motor which seems a little unusual. Did they put them in boats back then? The interesting thing is that it is all factory double planked mahogany, very high quality construction. Does anyone know anything about this model or have they ever seen one. I did get some information from the reference section. It looks to be very sporty with the stern completely covered and some accent wood on the sides. Perhaps this was a model to compete with the higher end Chris Crafts of that era. With a 389 in it I bet it moved right along. I don't think I am ready to get into a vintage wood boat, but who knows. Any thoughts would be appreciate. Thanks, Vince

Jay, How about some pictures! We would love to see it.
Did you ever find the emblems you were looking for?