BF Auction: 1956 Chris Craft Capri 19′
- Seller: Jonas D
- Location: Eagle, Idaho
- Mileage: 0 Shown
- Chassis #: CP-19-436
- Title Status: Missing
- Engine: Chris Craft V8
Chris Craft was among the most prestigious brands in the boating world, with a history dating back to 1874. They built everything from small fiberglass boats to yachts, but their most iconic are the mahogany pleasure boats they built during the 1950. Their boats were popular with celebrities like Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, and Frank Sinatra. It’s easy to see why, they are works of beauty that were also very fun for a day out on the lake. They are still very sought after by those who collect and appreciate wooden boats. This example is a 1956 Capri 19′ with the V8 engine. We are helping the owner find new homes for their Porsches and this boat! It’s located in Eagle, Idaho, and is being offered here as a Barn Finds Auction.
The seller purchased this boat nearly 20 years ago from a garage in McCall, Idaho. Situated on the south shore of Payette Lake, McCall has long been a popular vacation destination for residents of the Boise area, and during the summer months, boating is one of its top attractions. Given the area’s affluence, you still see vintage wooden boats on the water, and each year, the community hosts a wooden boat show. While the seller doesn’t have documentation detailing the boat’s history, it seems complete and looks how you would expect a boat that’s been stored indoors for most of its life to look.
We were truly impressed by the condition of the boat’s interior. We’ve seen cheaper boats from this era, and their upholstery is usually in a sad state. This one isn’t perfect, but it could be cleaned, conditioned, and used as is. All of the gauges and controls are present and in good condition.
Under the engine cover, you’ll find a Chris Craft-branded V8. It appears to be a Chevrolet V8, and given the year, we would assume it’s a 265. Our research shows that just 768 Capris were built between 1955 and 1958, but it isn’t certain how many received this engine. Most were equipped with a flathead inline-6, but they also equipped some with Cadillac and Chrysler V8s. Since there’s no documentation, it’s hard to say if this one started life with the V8 or was upgraded later, but it wears the correct shade of Chris Craft blue and all the correct stickers. While not the most powerful option, this one is a great balance of performance and durability.
Restoring a wooden boat isn’t a small task, but this one looks like a great place to start. Its hull hasn’t been coated in fiberglass, which is a cheap fix for a leaky boat, but it tends to seal in moisture and cause further damage. There are modern repair options that don’t require replacing the wood, and that might be a good option with this one. These boats are rare, especially unrestored examples, so hopefully it can be put back on the water without needing a complete restoration. Be sure to take a closer look at the photos below. And if you have any questions for the seller, please leave them in the comments. So, will you be hitting the lake in this Capri?
Bid On This Auction
J.J. bid $5,250.00 2024-10-01 10:58:50
Joshua Mortensen bid $5,000.00 2024-10-01 10:55:56
Navgeo bid $4,500.00 2024-10-01 10:55:30- J.J. bid $4,000.00 2024-10-01 10:54:26
CEvans bid $3,500.00 2024-10-01 10:20:48- J.J. bid $3,000.00 2024-10-01 10:08:13
- CEvans bid $2,000.00 2024-10-01 09:14:27
frank Paz bid $1,500.00 2024-10-01 08:54:21- J.J. bid $1,000.00 2024-09-30 15:04:35
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Comments
The valve covers appear to be post ’68 but that could be just so they could put an EGR valve on it.
BOAT= “Bust out another thousand”….and that’s just a start!!!
BOAT: A hole in the water into which you pour money.
The two happiest days in a boat owner’s life are they day he buys it and the day he sells it.
To know what it’s like to own a boat imagine standing in a t-shirt under a cold shower and tearing up $100 bills.
Looking at the pictures there’s going to be a LOT of work needed from the gunwales down. It will only be worth it to own one of the prettiest runabouts ever made. Which should be enough.
“Edsel” Al Leonard, I know you you meant to type PCV valve, not EGR valve, lol.
I don’t know much at all bout boat motors but I do know small block chevy motors. I’m curious bout how the distributor and oil pump are driven from the front? A different type of cam maybe? The distributor mount is capped in the back. Glwts peace!
What you call “capped” is actually a stub shaft that drives the oil pump. Similar to the cam sensor on a Turbo Regal.
I always loved these boats.
They are such marvels and yes more work but the beauty is there…
I would definitely like to see the engine fire up or kick over…
Good luck with sale…
Jeff, I wonder if it is running? It doesn’t seem like it would be, but the tach shows 1000 and the oil pressure shows maybe 10 – 15 psi. Guages might not be properly functioning. I don’t know anything about boats but this is a nice looking boat.
I love those old wooden boats. I couldn’t handle the woodwork needed but appreciate the work necessary. The SBC makes the engine easy to deal with. Knew someone who restored a wooden sail boat. It promptly sank and he needed to let it sit until the wood swelled up. I’d had 17 pumps running and be ready with this one after the repairs were made…just hold it in the water with the lift for a few days and go play…
I have a 1958 Chris Craft 17′ Sportsman. 131hp twin carb. Prices were way up during Covid but they have fallen substantially since the,
A long time ago I used to make trailers for new Garwood boats made by the Tourcot bros. in New York. They made 20′, 28 and 33′ models.
If you’d like to check out some wooden boats this company is in the heart of wooden boat heaven: http://www.antiqueboatamerica.com/
Or check out the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, NY: https://www.abm.org/
Or the https://laketahoeconcours.com/
While I am definitely not a “boat guy”, I’m pretty sure that a fella would most likely be the “talk of the lake” cruising around in a mid-fifties Chris Craft with a small block Chevrolet in it. I have absolutely loved these run-abouts since I was a kid. I can only imagine the cost of restoration and up-keep, but I can assure you that if I had unlimited fundage for such an endeavor, I would do it in a heartbeat. What a cool boat. I hope whoever acquires it takes the time to preserve it and enjoy the heck out of it.
So, I live on a lake in Mid Tn. Quite regularly Alan Jackon drives cruises by in a sweet Chris Craft, Him and I assume his wife. I admit I’m looking ….
At the boat? Or his wife?
If you live on a lake and can swing it, don’t let this pass you by.
Yes, a wood boat requires regular maintenance that can be time consuming and expensive. But there is nothing like a solid wood inboard and this seems to be an excellent example. Wonder how much of a problem the missing title would be.
Absolutely beautiful boat. I can just imagine the burble of the Chevy engine, (insert Homer Simpson druwl).
Yes, I’ve done the throw money into a boat before. But nothing like this one, this isn’t your average boat.
It’s part of history, made in small numbers, when boats were built the “proper way”, and she’s just so sexy, lol. She deserves to be resorted to original spec.(No modern crap).
I’ll be honest, if I was the seller, I’d be vetting potential buyers.
Just wish it was here in Aus, she’d be mine.
Good luck with the sale.
Just a few things. Engine is a replacement-the chrome piece in the hatch cover indicates it originally came with a Chris Craft 3 carb KBL 131 HP six-the chrome piece covers the carbs. Gauges are modern and upholstery while nice is not correct. It’s pretty dry as you can tell by the seams in the sides. Bottom looks to have problems-see the bad spots by the propeller strut and the caulking falling out. Unfortunately, it’s much more than a strip and refinish. A handy person could do the work and be OK (depending on the price) but to pay a shop to do it would be prohibitive. Hardware is complete and right.
I love those old wooden boats. I couldn’t handle the woodwork needed but appreciate the work necessary. The SBC makes the engine easy to deal with. Knew someone who restored a wooden sail boat. It promptly sank and he needed to let it sit until the wood swelled up. I’d had 17 pumps running and be ready with this one after the repairs were made…just hold it in the water with the lift for a few days and go play…
Well, I AM a boat guy, and I can say without reservation, we never saw fancy wood boats on Lake Sinissippi( no relation to the river), more of a California/Florida thing. Just love the wood boats, although, like a Corvette, I don’t ever recall riding in one. The V8 is okay, even though the old flattie spun the prop just as well. An acceptable upgrade, even though, I’d imagine the 6 got better economy, an important issue, as it’s tough paddling one of these babies back. Love the dash and steering wheel, right out of the 50s, if you live on or near the water( don’t bother trailering this beast around), forget the classic car, and go with the boat. You shan’t be disappointed.
Oh, one should note, while it’s difficult finding prices new, it seems these boats sold for about $6500, about the same cost as a house, so sales were limited. I believe only about 700 of these boats were made. One should also add, “for serious buyers only”, as these routinely sell for 5 figures easy, sometimes 6, so be ready for that. It isn’t a 16 foot Silverline,,,,
Hold my Beer. Okay, I dont drink but you get the idea. These are very cool boats. Looks like it was a restoration done possibly in the 90’s A nice restoration BTW. BUT, sitting in a garage is not healthy for these boats. SO? Needs a new bottom, and a total refasten, strip and refinish. Interior is wrong, Gauges wrong and so on and so on. In other words it’s a project boat. Capri’s are nice boats, but not the most collectable of classic boats. So Think Mercury Cougar, not Mustang. For the folks saying its a money pit and yada yada. Everything in the classic car, and boat and airplane universe is a money pit. When this boat is finished, it will have a no soak bottom, and not really require alot of work. I own 8 classic boats. In fact many classic boaters own several boats, because they know the secret. Its an amazing community, and doing the work yourself can be VERY rewarding and fun. McCall is a great classic boat place. Idaho for that fact is also surprisingly. Payette lake is a little universe for this community. If you want to (SORRY, SHAMELESS PLUG) Visit us at WoodyBoater Just google us. Its a crazy little niche that is full of crazy people that love old projects like this.
I’m in violent agreement with Woody new bottom is required and it’s a big job. This was last restored with a bottom that required soaking to seal up and wood plus water equals eventual rot. New tech “no soak” bottom is the way to go and then a total refinish above the water line will make it a keeper. Just not cheap or for the faint of heart
OK, WoodyBoater. Then please help us all and put a number on this little project.
Quick question. Did you know my uncle Duane Brent? He and my aunt Mary had a cabin on the lake about 1.5 miles up Warren-Wagon road. He had a 21 ft Chris with the 6 cylinder steering wheel throttle. I don’t remember the model but it had the center dog house with the rear seat clear in the back. Many hours spent learning to ski and finally mastering a slalom single. Man, can these boats throw a monster slow wake or what!
Wish I knew what happened to that gorgeous piece of art. Fond memories.
Comes with Trailer? Last time in water?
The trailer is included and the seller isn’t sure when it was last on the water.
How long has he owned it?
He thinks it’s been about 15 years
As a kid, we had a wood hull (not CC) flat bottom inboard with a 283 V8. I remember the valve covers saying Corvette on them and thought that was so cool. I learned how to ski behind it even though a flat bottom isn’t exactly the best ski boat.
My dad later replaced it with an Eliminator jet boat with a 454 in it.
Since it is a 1956 it would be a 265 and not a 283 since the 283 didn’t come out for another year.
I don’t think anyone thinks that this is the original motor. The owner, earlier stated that it has the intake for the 6 cylinder. Most of these came with the 6. Torqueier power.
Any way to find out what it would take to buy?
Contact the seller. May have to go through BF. That or check the info at the start of the ad?
Let me just say, if “you” keep saying it will take too much to restore, too much for up keep, too much to store, well this type boat is not for you. These boats fall in line with having say, an airplane, race car, fine horses…they really are to be looked after and cared for. Where I was from near the Chain of Lakes in Il, they were quite common to see on lakes and rivers and they were loud and fast. The best riding boat hands down and ski boat. This is a nice one.
A boat that’s “too much to restore”? How about a car that’s “too much to restore”? It all depends on your talents and your personal likes. Boats will take you places that cars can’t go.
I grew up in a small burgh that in the 1950’s was called Central Valley(now lake city) Northern California. There’s a huge hydroelectric Dam near there on the Sacramento River. Shasta Dam creates Shasta lake and of course lots of boats. CrisCraft was the king at that time, but next to the small church I attended was a boat builder shop. Two very talented men built all wood (mostly mahogany) cabin cruisers there. I as a lad (pre teen) was very much in awe of these men and their boats. Those boats were so beautiful and priced to sell only to very wealthy buyers. What memories this brings back to me.
God Bless America
I never see a woody boat like this without thinking of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.