My Parents had a little smaller 42 ft. Chris Craft Tri-Cabin. It was also all wood. Loved growing up on our boats over the years. They/we had 5 different boats over 25 years on Lake Michigan. I’m an older man these days but what great memories. Thanks and RIP Mom & Dad😘
grampa bought a 1955 42 foot Chris Craft, hull #21, in 1959, grew up on it and have a tone of good memories. Chris Craft was and is the gold standard for boats!
One more adventure for my bucket list. Maybe my wife and I can take the train from Vermont to western Canada so we can have a ride in this very special yacht.
It was great to be able to spend time on the Wendebee as we made this story. I’m not sure if she’s still offering charters. Check before you come. Thanks for watching!
You really should come to Western Canada. There’s lots to see and do. Beyond Saskatchewan there are fabulous train trips through the Rocky Mountains. Have fun with your bucket list.
This is so good in so many ways. How nice to have a nice business friendship with another couple sharing the good and bad. It is seasonal, so you get a break. It is unique which creates interest and drives the business. It is entertaining, so you get to enjoy making the passengers happy. Basically a romantic life! My hat is off to these couples. I've been a boater my entire life so I understand their lifestyles.
Just watched your video and must say you have done a wonderfuljob maintaining and preserving part of marine history {hats off} I had a 38 ft Wheeler sport fish. Nothing smells like, or rides like wooden Boat!! ( foot note that folding table you have was made in the 70s by a company called Castro convertibles they where the the first Company to make sleep sofas and furniture that had duel purposes located in Boston Mass USA I have two of them also when it is open you can push it back down to make a lg square coffee or sofa table. Again it’s a wonderful thing your doing.
Classic McPeek Glad you enjoyed the show. I had the pleasure of getting to know the Wendebee and doing the documentary. However I’m not the owner. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Thank you so much for the fantastic video, for maintaining such an important boat, and further, representing the brave new world which generated these beautiful monsters of the oceans.
My grandfather bought a chris craft just like this one, but the amazing thing was that he found it half sunk, we found. Out that it was in this condition for 8 months!!!!, I could not believe that someone would let that beautiful work of art get like that, but to leave it like that was heart breaking!!!!!, anyway, grandpa got it for 8,000..... can you believe that?, well , they pumped out and his mechanic said. What the heck, so he hooked up some fresh batteries and them 671's fired right up!!!!, , well my father, and myself started the process of re fitting the old girl. We did alot of custom work, but that yacht weighed in at 21 tons...., anyway, all this took place on broad creek,. Off the Pamlico River, which was right down the river from where Blackbeard, ( the swashbuckling pirate, and nemesis to the English navy, as well as anyone who dared ventured into the Pamlico sound!!!!...., anyway, seeing your yacht brought back fond memories!!!
Thanks for watching. I love your story. These boats have such wonderful craftsmanship it’s a shame to lose one. Really appreciate you sharing your story! Steve
I grew up on a 1957 Constellation 38 footer, a lot smaller yet, THE most beautiful wooden power boat ever made. The best sounding engines, flat head sixes, for sure. It was named, in gold leaf across the big transom 'TIMARLIN', the names of us 3 kids put together. We think it went to California, used in some commercials, anyone ever seen her?
@@sasksunwolf Thanks for the prompt tip, will look that up. Our Chris Craft had a 1 of 2 ever made air standard horn set with 4 horns on 1 manifold, easy to spot on the hard top! Since this is an active discussion i have a question about this big Connie - It has the rounded "Dolphin Bow" and I had been told this was not used until; 1956. It was used on all of them till 1959, when Chris Craft went back to a pointy prow, and this looks like a 1956.
This may sound like a little thing yet as a little person it was big - Ours 38 footer had the dark mahogony (?) decks, that would burn bare feet, bad. Yet by 1956 the ones over 42 feet had lighter Teak decks, so this would be older than that i suppose.
Love wooden boats but definitely heart breakers, so hard to keep perfect. grew up working on them , mostly scraping the old paint off, with todays tools though a lot easier but constant vigilance and immediate attention to any fresh water leaks required, seems the windows are the biggest culprit.
Years ago i restored a 30 foot Connie despite it being a pretty boat and she having the Chris Craft "charm " nothing out there has the overall beauty and classic lines as the 53 That has been and will remain one of my all time favorite motor yachts why my freinds ask me and my response. Is usually simply it looks Correct! Everything was done right i was lucky enough to get the boat from a family member also so i did get all the original paperwork like sales brochures, parts manuals , and almost all electronics manuals as well
"On life's vast ocean diversely we sail, Reason the card, but passion is the gale." - Alexander Pope From one 1974 57' Chris Craft Connie - rescued in '05 from on-the-hard for four years in a Montreal boat yard where she was painted to look good For Sale but otherwise neglected - owner & live-aboard repair monkey to another, congratulations on your beautiful boat (It is ppl with boats like you that make me feel bad and try harder on mine ;) It is rare to see people that not only appreciate beautiful old wooden boats, but are also willing to invest immeasurable toll & efforts in owning and keeping them afloat - and for everyone to enjoy & appreciate. d:)
I grew up with two wooden boats, one was for commercial crabbing, the other, our weekend enjoyment. I would never own a fiber glass boat, just me. Wood is classic and beautiful. A lot of work, but well worth it, and the exercise while working on it is good for you.
In the late '60's our family had a 1952 54' (not 55') Chris Craft flush deck, just like this one. Twin 6-71 Jimmys, she'd cruise at about 12 mph, top out at 15 mph. Home port Saugatuck MI. She was very seaworthy, and we weathered some very rough Lake Michigan storms. Unfortunately dry rot was an endless battle and she was sold in the early 70's. I do not think she lasted too much longer after that.
I'm gonna get picky here; When you're giving an informal conversational topic as a speech, it is not necessary to say at this time in the cruise. Just say hello and start the conversation -- they don't need to know your time position in the cruise --they're in a dreamworld don't frame it for them. nice boat
''Wendebee II'' ''She is a poem written in the most beautiful body language.'' ~Saul Bellow, said that. 21:50 - 23:50 To Tom Watson: ''From ^it made He us. From us we fashion of ^it our own.'' ~I'd just said that. ''God's Ever Changing ^Dirt'' Although God said I Change Not! Still: every living thing & it's seed Come from & return back into ''God's Ever Changing ^Dirt'' Yet: i between those 2 times They are fashioned by His Will, His Light & His Life Giving Waters ~Just another one of those many one's of... ''We His Believer's'' Who's patiently waiting & watching for '.' His✝Just⚖Return🪃'.' Just now'd said that too.
What a beautiful boat
What a wonderful story and real good people!
Thank you
My Parents had a little smaller 42 ft. Chris Craft Tri-Cabin. It was also all wood. Loved growing up on our boats over the years. They/we had 5 different boats over 25 years on Lake Michigan. I’m an older man these days but what great memories. Thanks and RIP Mom & Dad😘
Things from our past are worth keeping. No truer words.
grampa bought a 1955 42 foot Chris Craft, hull #21, in 1959, grew up on it and have a tone of good memories. Chris Craft was and is the gold standard for boats!
What a lovely boat and documentary. Thanks for showing it.
Thanks for watching. Glad you likes it!
What an amazing vessel and an amazing story. One of the best videos I've seen in a long time. Thank you
Thanks for watching. I appreciate the comments. Glad you enjoyed it.
A great boat....and story!
Beautiful boat & an incredible story, thanks so much for sharing it.
One more adventure for my bucket list. Maybe my wife and I can take the train from Vermont to western Canada so we can have a ride in this very special yacht.
It was great to be able to spend time on the Wendebee as we made this story. I’m not sure if she’s still offering charters. Check before you come. Thanks for watching!
You really should come to Western Canada. There’s lots to see and do. Beyond Saskatchewan there are fabulous train trips through the Rocky Mountains. Have fun with your bucket list.
My Grandfather had 1953 53' Chris Craft Constellation. It was at the Annapolis Yacht Club in Annapolis , Maryland. Beautiful boat.
This is so good in so many ways. How nice to have a nice business friendship with another couple sharing the good and bad. It is seasonal, so you get a break. It is unique which creates interest and drives the business. It is entertaining, so you get to enjoy making the passengers happy. Basically a romantic life! My hat is off to these couples. I've been a boater my entire life so I understand their lifestyles.
Just watched your video and must say you have done a wonderfuljob maintaining and preserving part of marine history {hats off} I had a 38 ft Wheeler sport fish. Nothing smells like, or rides like wooden Boat!! ( foot note that folding table you have was made in the 70s by a company called Castro convertibles they where the the first Company to make sleep sofas and furniture that had duel purposes located in Boston Mass USA I have two of them also when it is open you can push it back down to make a lg square coffee or sofa table. Again it’s a wonderful thing your doing.
Classic McPeek Glad you enjoyed the show. I had the pleasure of getting to know the Wendebee and doing the documentary. However I’m not the owner. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Thank you so much for the fantastic video, for maintaining such an important boat, and further, representing the brave new world which generated these beautiful monsters of the oceans.
Beautiful
Very, very nice. Beautiful vessel.
My grandfather bought a chris craft just like this one, but the amazing thing was that he found it half sunk, we found. Out that it was in this condition for 8 months!!!!, I could not believe that someone would let that beautiful work of art get like that, but to leave it like that was heart breaking!!!!!, anyway, grandpa got it for 8,000..... can you believe that?, well , they pumped out and his mechanic said. What the heck, so he hooked up some fresh batteries and them 671's fired right up!!!!, , well my father, and myself started the process of re fitting the old girl. We did alot of custom work, but that yacht weighed in at 21 tons...., anyway, all this took place on broad creek,. Off the Pamlico River, which was right down the river from where Blackbeard, ( the swashbuckling pirate, and nemesis to the English navy, as well as anyone who dared ventured into the Pamlico sound!!!!...., anyway, seeing your yacht brought back fond memories!!!
Thanks for watching. I love your story. These boats have such wonderful craftsmanship it’s a shame to lose one. Really appreciate you sharing your story! Steve
I grew up on a 1957 Constellation 38 footer, a lot smaller yet, THE most beautiful wooden power boat ever made.
The best sounding engines, flat head sixes, for sure.
It was named, in gold leaf across the big transom 'TIMARLIN', the names of us 3 kids put together.
We think it went to California, used in some commercials, anyone ever seen her?
@@sasksunwolf Thanks for the prompt tip, will look that up. Our Chris Craft had a 1 of 2 ever made air standard horn set with 4 horns on 1 manifold, easy to spot on the hard top!
Since this is an active discussion i have a question about this big Connie - It has the rounded "Dolphin Bow" and I had been told this was not used until; 1956. It was used on all of them till 1959, when Chris Craft went back to a pointy prow, and this looks like a 1956.
This may sound like a little thing yet as a little person it was big - Ours 38 footer had the dark mahogony (?) decks, that would burn bare feet, bad.
Yet by 1956 the ones over 42 feet had lighter Teak decks, so this would be older than that i suppose.
Love wooden boats but definitely heart breakers, so hard to keep perfect. grew up working on them , mostly scraping the old paint off, with todays tools though a lot easier but constant vigilance and immediate attention to any fresh water leaks required, seems the windows are the biggest culprit.
My Dad had one in San Fransisco Bay back in the 60's. He had many a famous person onboard.
William Hamiter Great story. Thanks for watching the show.
I can certainly relate ... my wife melted down when I purchased a 67 Chris Craft Cavalier ...!!!!
22:21 Sweet!
thanks for this info...
now I can start on my '57 Constellation ;)
I'm so jealous! I want one of those
Years ago i restored a 30 foot Connie despite it being a pretty boat and she having the Chris Craft "charm " nothing out there has the overall beauty and classic lines as the 53 That has been and will remain one of my all time favorite motor yachts why my freinds ask me and my response. Is usually simply it looks Correct! Everything was done right i was lucky enough to get the boat from a family member also so i did get all the original paperwork like sales brochures, parts manuals , and almost all electronics manuals as well
"On life's vast ocean diversely we sail, Reason the card, but passion is the gale." - Alexander Pope
From one 1974 57' Chris Craft Connie - rescued in '05 from on-the-hard for four years in a Montreal boat yard where she was painted to look good For Sale but otherwise neglected - owner & live-aboard repair monkey to another, congratulations on your beautiful boat (It is ppl with boats like you that make me feel bad and try harder on mine ;) It is rare to see people that not only appreciate beautiful old wooden boats, but are also willing to invest immeasurable toll & efforts in owning and keeping them afloat - and for everyone to enjoy & appreciate.
d:)
I grew up with two wooden boats, one was for commercial crabbing, the other, our weekend enjoyment. I would never own a fiber glass boat, just me. Wood is classic and beautiful. A lot of work, but well worth it, and the exercise while working on it is good for you.
In the late '60's our family had a 1952 54' (not 55') Chris Craft flush deck, just like this one. Twin 6-71 Jimmys, she'd cruise at about 12 mph, top out at 15 mph. Home port Saugatuck MI. She was very seaworthy, and we weathered some very rough Lake Michigan storms. Unfortunately dry rot was an endless battle and she was sold in the early 70's. I do not think she lasted too much longer after that.
I'm gonna get picky here; When you're giving an informal conversational topic as a speech, it is not necessary to say at this time in the cruise. Just say hello and start the conversation -- they don't need to know your time position in the cruise --they're in a dreamworld don't frame it for them. nice boat
''Wendebee II''
''She is a poem written in the most beautiful body language.'' ~Saul Bellow, said that.
21:50 - 23:50 To Tom Watson:
''From ^it made He us. From us we fashion of ^it our own.'' ~I'd just said that.
''God's Ever Changing ^Dirt''
Although God said I Change Not!
Still: every living thing & it's seed
Come from & return back into
''God's Ever Changing ^Dirt''
Yet: i between those 2 times
They are fashioned by His Will,
His Light & His Life Giving Waters
~Just another one of those many one's of... ''We His Believer's''
Who's patiently waiting & watching for '.' His✝Just⚖Return🪃'.'
Just now'd said that too.
I have one of those tables!
She’s below the waterline on the aft end
Are your engines running hot? seems to be alot of steam from exhaust
they're 2 stroke Detroit's. they're suppose to smoke...
Don't tell me int's an antique. I was born in 1951...!
I’m even older than you and I’m not feeling like an antique yet. Thanks for watching! 😎
Where’s She @ Today??? JANUARY 7,2025
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Your engines are OUT of sync.....................................