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Who owns the company now and what do you thing about them? I have gotten the fever for a bigger offshore center console and I am in love with the Catalina 23ft center console. I love the wood and the layout, I want it in yellow with a black coach strip. And do you guys know about the picing on them? I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the boats.
British owned, American factory in Sarasota Florida. Highly regarded - not junk. The 23 is a really good looker, and if you've truly got the fever, check out the 29 Catalina.... Beautiful. Chris Craft in their many incarnations have been building good looking boats for 130 years now.
Pricing is solidly in the sticker shock range, it's among the highest for that size and equipment level. The 23 starts around 70K. But they are very well made boats. Few dealers around, every boat is built to order. Not the kind of bout that people buy for their first boat - more likely C C will be the last one they buy.
My older Chris Craft (1988 31 foot go-fast Stinger) does not fall apart, creak, or rattle. Great lines, good hardware. Solid.
British owned, American factory in Sarasota Florida. Highly regarded - not junk. The 23 is a really good looker, and if you've truly got the fever, check out the 29 Catalina.... Beautiful. Chris Craft in their many incarnations have been building good looking boats for 130 years now.
Pricing is solidly in the sticker shock range, it's among the highest for that size and equipment level. The 23 starts around 70K. But they are very well made boats. Few dealers around, every boat is built to order. Not the kind of bout that people buy for their first boat - more likely C C will be the last one they buy.
My older Chris Craft (1988 31 foot go-fast Stinger) does not fall apart, creak, or rattle. Great lines, good hardware. Solid.
Brits run it, well we do a good job with Sunseeker (cars are a different story). Well that is a big selling thing for me is the companys heritage and rep. I like their heavy constuction but very good on the gas, 330miles a tank at 22knt cruise. I am not to worryed about sticker price as I will find me a good second hand one and save myself some money. It will for sure be a life time boat. And the looks will never go out of style. The 23ft is perfect for me, I might take a look at the 26 when it comes out. I can't afford or run a 29ft by myself. I wish I could get a 180hp instead of a 250hp on it for better fuel econ.
__________________ Aston Martin
Power, Beauty, Soul
Gulf Coast Exotics
99' 05' 07' Range Rovers, 2001 Aston Martin DB-7
21ft Yellow Southeren Skimmer 70hp Four Stroke
3100 Tiara express with diesels
It is highly doubtful that you'll be able to find a used Catalina anytime soon - it's a new model this year and very limited production.
Not saying that's impossible, just highly unlikely. You're right about the hulls being a good balance of seaworthyness and fuel efficiency, but I wouldn't look to go underpowered on these heavy hulls. Ponies are what makes planing hulls a satisfying experience.
I used to run a minimally powered 19 foot center console that would often get knocked off plane in a tailing sea. That made for a miserable ride home at the end of a long day. Horses are your friend - especially when you need lots of them.
It is highly doubtful that you'll be able to find a used Catalina anytime soon - it's a new model this year and very limited production.
Not saying that's impossible, just highly unlikely. You're right about the hulls being a good balance of seaworthyness and fuel efficiency, but I wouldn't look to go underpowered on these heavy hulls. Ponies are what makes planing hulls a satisfying experience.
I used to run a minimally powered 19 foot center console that would often get knocked off plane in a tailing sea. That made for a miserable ride home at the end of a long day. Horses are your friend - especially when you need lots of them.
Yeah, I was just looking on BucNet and saw no used ones, I did hower get a price on a new one and their not bad at all, a little high for me, but hey its a hell of a boat. I really want a new or newer boat for this or next summer, second choice would be a Mako 26 center console. But the Chris Craft has my heart and at $76,000 for a 23ft that perfect I am tempted. And I agree about the horse power, I think a 225 will be perferct considering its max is 250hp.
__________________ Aston Martin
Power, Beauty, Soul
Gulf Coast Exotics
99' 05' 07' Range Rovers, 2001 Aston Martin DB-7
21ft Yellow Southeren Skimmer 70hp Four Stroke
3100 Tiara express with diesels
Dealer is selling them in Morehead, alongside Jones Bros. and Southport. This guy doesn't sell junk and I stopped in last week to take a look at their new line of fishing boats. VERY NICE!!!! Didn't check prices and don't expect them to be too inexpensive.
Every 23 CC I have seen has the F250 on it. They are sweet little boats.
Why would you not get the F250?
Its max power is 250, I am scared it will stress it to much running its max capacity, my nickname is slowgoing so I am not to worried about getting anywhere in a hurry. Am I right or worried about nothing?
__________________ Aston Martin
Power, Beauty, Soul
Gulf Coast Exotics
99' 05' 07' Range Rovers, 2001 Aston Martin DB-7
21ft Yellow Southeren Skimmer 70hp Four Stroke
3100 Tiara express with diesels
The F250 and the F225 are essentially the same engine, size and weight. I would think that the F225 is going to put the same amount of stress on the boat as the F250 would.
The F250 is a strong engine and would be my choice for power. I'd like to have the max horsepower available.
__________________ ALB
1985 BW Montauk
1996 Evinrude 90
Give me oysters and beer for dinner everyday of the year and I'll feel fine - Jimmy Buffett
I posted this pricing info on this a while back. Lot of money for a single engine 23 foot boat. As for power, consider resale too and go with the F250.
CHRIS CRAFT CATALINA 23 CA - MY2007
23 CENTER CONSOLE $76,327
23 CENTER CONSOLE Heritage Edition $78,995
Options
Bimini Top $1,376
Cockpit Package $1,286
FWD sunpad filler cushion, fiberglass table
& pedestal
Dockside Pumpout $243
Helm seat W/Cooler (Delete livewell)N/C
T-Top W/Lace on Canvas $5,723
Electronics box F/T-Top $747
T-Top Wind Enclosure $789
Top Mount Radial Outriggers $2,991
15' Telescoping poles
Raymarine Electronics Pkg $5,723
C80 Chartplotter & VHF
Raymarine - 4D 4kw 24" Radar $3,434
(Only available with T-top option)
Windlass with remote control & SS anchor $2,702
Chris Craft 
