Chris-Craft Launch 32

Chris-Craft had its genesis in the late 1800s before becoming known for its race boats in the 1920s. However, the brand really hit its straps post-WWII when more than 150 models were offered during the glory days of powerboating. Today, these timber treasures trotted out by the world’s first production-boat builder remain collector’s items. There is a Chris-Craft register and a loyal owner’s club whose meets are a veritable feast for the eyes.

Decades on, Chris-Crafts remain boats of choice for pleasure seekers and discerning day-boaters seeking driving pleasure. Honouring its rich history, the American yard offers a range of runabouts, bowriders, cabin boats and centre consoles from 20-36ft. They are all made from fibreglass, but with enough retro cues to remind you of the brand’s rich heritage.

But in keeping with global boating trends, Chris-Craft withdrew from the cruiser market some years ago to concentrate on making largely open boats for the time-poor looking for a good time not necessarily a long time on the water, explains local importers Premier Marine on Sydney Harbour.

The latest Launch 32 we drove takes things even further.

The flagship in the bowrider range has a 12-person passenger capacity, abundant plush seating and big lounging areas so you can share the pleasure afloat. And with some interesting hidden amenities, including a bathroom and sneaky double bed, you can extend your stay.

Of course, fabulous fit and finish, beautiful lines and beaming brightwork add to the visual stimulus of modern-day Chris-Crafts. For this reason they are coveted stages for swimsuit and haute couture shoots. Yet this boat is more than just a fashion statement.

The twin V8 engines, sweet drive and dignified ride remind you that Chris-Craft places great value on performance. The Launch 32 isn’t just a show pony, but a five-star chariot in which to seize the day with friends. And there’s plenty to go around.

The test boat was powered by twin Volvo 5.7L GXI V8s with upgraded Ocean X sterndrives, which have freshwater cooling and a special titanium-ceramic coating to extend their life in saltwater. There are also a couple of extra sensors with audio/visual alarms built into the system for added engine protection.

Adding to the eye candy was the Heritage Edition upgrade, which places teak decking on the swim platform, stern walkthrough to the cockpit and complete inner sole of this bowrider. You also get strategically placed teak grab rails near the aft sun pad. Together, they create a quasi timber-boat feel but without anywhere near the maintenance of a collectible Chris-Craft.

The upgraded hull colour, a special Silver Bullet metallic paint with black bootstripe and ivory-cream interior upholstery add to neoclassicism, as do the hull lines extending from a flared bow to a transom with traditional tumblehome for, well, no other reason than style, style, style.

The optional LED docking lights in the bow and underwater lights astern will grab attention when parked at night in front of that restaurant, while a 220V electric shorepower system offers battery charging at the marina and a GPO for running appliances in the cabin. A windlass with stainless steel anchor and chain are the icing on the cake.

Together these things tipped the test boat from a base price of $272,000 to $380,000. Still, the Launch 32 as we drove it is more than commensurate with the price. The only question left: optional selectable exhaust to trumpet that V8 note? We’re told just one in 10 buyers want it these days, choosing a low-key rather than brassy arrival at their chosen anchorage.

We came aboard via the teak swim platform with concealed swim ladder and hot/cold transom shower. While the platform is deep enough for couples to hang out, you can add a cushion infill to the central teak-topped transom walkthrough and create a full-beam rear sun pad. Now you’ve got room for eight to lounge before the water lapping at the transom.

In the cockpit proper, opposing aft-facing chaise lounges with angled backrests offer the ultimate view back down the wake as you cruise. When you arrive for lunch aboard, presto, press a button for the engine-room lid lift and there’s a hinged pull-out teak lunch table. It is just the nicest bit of engineering we’ve come across on a boat for years and underscores this boat’s high quality.

Also in a recess at the front of the engine bay is a concealed bimini top that pulls forward much like a cabriolet’s. Its frame is very sturdy, so you can leave it up when running, but as a consequence it’s rather heavy and setting it up could be a two-person affair. We’d like to see an electric option much like a sportscar where you press a button and the whole kit and caboodle pops up and retracts on its own.

There’s a small drawer-style fridge in the cockpit, but perhaps a DC-powered eutectic plate in a top-loading icebox would be handy as well. As it was, most of the underseat storage in the cockpit was taken up by the full set of optional covers kindly removed prior to our test, which will help keep this boat and its teaks in top nick on its mooring.

Under the cockpit sole and ranging forward from the helm station is an extra-long and rather cavernous ski/wakeboard/storage locker that reaches through to the bow. It will be handy for stashing carry-on kit and those water toys for summer flings.

Up front, circular seating can easily take four adults. A concealed windlass beneath a teak-covered hatch adds to the safety, while the sharp entry and considerable waterline length of the hull make bow riding for adults really comfortable. Freeboard is high at 96.5cm and, thus, you remain nice and dry at rest and underway. Grab rails and drink holders fall to hand, too.

Meanwhile, the co-pilot scores a deep bucket seat, stereo head unit, glove box with 12V outlets, while the helm seat is a double-width number so couples can cruise together. Speakers in the bow and cockpit are linked to the stereo with sub woofer, tweeters and in-dash remote. Crank up the summer party.

In winter, a wind-dam between bow and cockpit, covering the companionway, will assist will keep the brisk air from shooting up a trouser leg and, thus, add to the year-round cruising comfort.

Elsewhere, chrome-dipped and stainless-steel deck gear adds considerable sparkle. The elliptical grabs rails, thick stainless-steel tubing around the seat bases, pop-up cleats, fixed cleats with logos, engine vents, stainless-steel-capped aft grab rails, cool curved windscreen frame and split retro navigation light create a sense of craftsmanship. The gleaming stainless-steel ground tackle adds to the sense of purpose, while drink holders are abundance in this American boat, of course.

Now for the two big surprises.

The portside hatch ahead of the co-pilot opens to reveal a luxury moulded head with freshwater electric Tecma toilet and holding tank, sink with handheld hot/cold shower, vanity with solid counter top, storage space, electric vent and more. Besides catering for personal needs, crew will welcome somewhere private to tug on the swimwear. We slipped inside and thought it a useable WC for an adult.

The opposite hatch, ahead of the driver, leads into a quasi cabin with double mattress, cushions, reading light, Shorepower monitor and AC outlet. We climbed in and found enough legroom to sleep should, say, you overindulge at that waterfront eatery. With the WC and plenty of water you are pretty much autonomous aboard. Hook-up to shorepower, charge the appliances and devices, even watch a movie before lights out.

Naturally, hydrodynamics has a lot to do with this boat’s sweet performance. There’s a fine entry with 22 degrees of deadrise up front and lots of flare to shed water. But the boat jumps out of the water nice and level thanks to the moderate 13 degrees of deadrise back aft. And, in turns, it banks in a most impressive sportsboat manner reminiscent of those Chris-Crafts of yore.

Meantime, electric stainless steel rams lift the engine-room lid lined with plenty of sound insulation that otherwise doubles as a sun pad. Dressed in fire-engine red, the Volvo 5.7s enjoy a gelcoated engine bay shared with batteries and battery charger, hot-water accumulator and water pump. It’s all quite accessible, with potential for custom storage solutions.

Back on deck, a large stainless-steel spin-off hatch grants access to the fuel sender for the alloy tank with 700 litres to sate your daylong or weekend sortie. Water capacity of 132 litres should see you through, too. The battery isolators and breakers are accessed under a portside lounge base.

Suffice to say, it’s all well executed, from the mouldings to the engineering, teak and brightwork and upholstery.

We scored a wind-blown afternoon for a wind-in-the-hair drive on what was now a pretty bumpy Sydney Harbour. Thankfully, the Launch 32 devoured the conditions, proving smooth riding and dry, with plenty of speed to reach your day-boating destination when not cruising for pleasure or simply gadding about the anchorages and gawking (gunkholing as the Americans call it).

With the light now fading fast, we didn’t waste time recording figures but instead went for mental notes of the sensations. For this is what driving a Chris-Craft Launch is all about. That said, the official supplied data says the boat hits 51 knots at 4900rpm with a pair of Volvo Penta 5.7 GXiC 320hp engines. Take a few knots off for the 300s.

In other words, as tested, we had better than the benchmark 50mph to play with. Supplied cruise figures of 24.4 knots at 2500rpm give a stated range of 113 nautical miles. And this is more than you’re likely to cover in a day or weekend on your favourite waterway.

Length overall (w/ swim platform): 10.4m
Length waterline: 8m
Beam maximum: 3.1m
Dry weight: 4513kg
Design displacement: 5420kg
Fuel capacity: 700.3 litres
Water capacity: 132 litres
Holding tank: 64 litres
Deadrise: 22 degrees
Transom angle: 13 degrees
Draft prop up: 0.58m
Draft prop down: 0.99m
Bridge clearance: 1.5m
Max persons: 12
Max horsepower @ prop: 860hp
Engines on test: Twin Volvo Penta 5.7L 300hp x 2 EVC with upgraded freshwater cooling and Ocean X system