Allez — 1930 Chris Craft Commuter

In the booming times of the 1920’s, the world was everybody’s oyster and anything seemed possible. At the turn of the decade, Chris Smith and Sons Boat Company (Chris Craft) of Algonac, Michigan, announced plans to build 30 commuter-style yachts with every modern feature and comfort known to man at the time — contained in this 48’ speedster. Nothing better describes the optimism of the day than the marketing copy introducing the company’s self-proclaimed Flagship to the yachting public: “Aristocrat it is, line and fitment, fleet, streamlined and luxurious throughout. Even Chris-Craft, the largest organization of its kind in the world, can offer but 30 of these 48-foot wonder ships for 1930. Only 30 can be built to the standards set for this flagship of flagships. Naturally those seeking the ultimate in a craft will want to be among the fortunate 30. Their ships this year will be true flagship, center of all admiring eyes – possessors of the height of boating luxury.” This optimism was just that — optimistic — and Chris Craft’s grand plans of becoming the purveyors of elegant watercraft to the elite of the day were dashed on October 29, 1929, also known as Black Thursday. The Wall Street stock market crash would grow into the Great Depression, which would affect the world’s economy for the next several years and all but completely dry up the market of well-heeled buyers for this Chris Craft company Flagship. In the end, only five 48’ commuters were built, and it is perhaps fitting that the only one still in service is the first model built, Allez, that was built for company founder Chris Smith. Allez was featured in the original 1930s Chris Craft sales literature. Under the ownership of Chris Smith, Allez cruised from the Great Lakes to the East Coast for display in 1930 New York City and Miami Boat shows, until being sold just six months after her initial launching. Since the 1930s, Allez (under several owners) cruised the extent of the East Coast following the seasons, eventually ending up on Lake Champlain. In 1976, Allez was moved to Montreal to become part of a private collection of vintage and historic boats. Since then, and under her current ownership, Allez has seen significant restoration of hull, decks, and cabins along with updating of all systems and equipment. See the timeline below for a full history of work done and care taken to bring this classic and historic vessel back to her position as the true Flagship of the Chris Craft fleet.

A Timeline of Restorations and Upgrades

• 1985-1990: Transom replaced to include all structural members, transom planking, aft deck, aft topsides, and bottom planking. Port cabin sides replaced. Cabin tops stripped of old painted canvas and overlaid with fiberglass cloth set in epoxy with painted exterior surfaces. All new interior joinery throughout. All new electrical systems and wiring. All new freshwater plumbing and tankage. New galley refrigerators. Added bow thruster for easier boat handling in close quarters and docking.
• 1992: Install new engines, transmissions and drive train / shafts / props / etc.  New engines 1992, Mercruiser model 454 / 340 HP. Install new Kohler generator
• 2005: All surfaces above the waterline stripped and recoated with painted finish for topsides and cabin tops and revarnishing (12-15 coats) on all brightwork. Bilges stripped to bare wood, epoxy sealed and repainted (bilge coat gray)
• 2006: All new interior and exterior upholstery and fabrics. Forward cockpit windshield replaced to match original design
• 2009: After 1/3 of bottom replaced to include principle structural members of transom, shaft logs and shaft strut supports along with all interior and exterior planking. Fuel tanks (3ea) removed, refurbished, repainted and reinstalled
• 2017: Engines completely rebuilt. Fuel system replumbed.

Interior Accommodations and Layout

• General
• Two cabin (forward owners and aft crew) arrangement separated by main cockpit and helm station.
• Interior spaces below decks are finished in varnished mahogany with contrasting white bulkheads in both galley and head areas to better protect the interior woodwork of these potentially wet areas,
• Contrasting white painted overheads accented by varnished mahogany cabin top beams are is the standard for both forward and aft cabins.
• Natural light and ventilation is well provided for by fixed and opening ports and windows in cabin sides with additional ventilation provided by deck dorade vent cowls.
• Forward / Owners Cabins
• Companionway entry door  from cockpit to forward cabin offset to starboard.
• Short companionway ladder down to main saloon with writing desk and storage cabinetry immediately forward and dinette with forward and aft facing settees to port.
• Step down from main saloon to more forward areas of owners cabins.
• Next forward (to port) is the galley area with storage for glassware, china, cutlery and utensils in racks and drawers / double basin stainless steel sink with hot and cold pressure water / refrigerator / Panasonic microwave oven and 3-burner electric Princess stove and oven.
• Opposite from galley (to starboard) is a full size private head area with manually operated marine toilet, porcelain sink basin with hot and cold pressure water  and separate stall shower also provided with hot and cold pressure water.
• Furthest forward is the full beam forward sleeping cabin with berthing space for four (4) persons.
• Aft / Crews Cabin
• Entry to aft / crews cabin by way of sliding companionway hatch and opening door offset to port aft end of deck house, descend companionway ladder to crews quarters. Enclosed private head to starboard with marine toilet and porcelain sink basin with hot and cold pressure water
• Sleeping space for two (2) persons in athwartships bunk beds at forward end of crews cabin.

Hull, Deck and Cabin / Superstructure Construction

• Hard chine, semi-planing underwater configuration with straight keelson, keel skeg on center line with engine(s) running gear (shafts, struts & props) to port and starboard.
• Mahogany stem, keelson, keel and skeg
• Double planked mahogany hull with anti-fouling paint below the waterline, a single white boot stripe at waterline and varnished topsides / transom from boot stripe to hull to deck joint.
• Stem and stern quarters protected by polished stainless steel guards
• Frames, floors, stringers and other internal structural members are of fir and white oak with gray painted finish
• Interior bulkheads (full and partial) are of varnished mahogany.
• Deck overlapping topsides at sheer clamp
• Varnished mahogany rub rail with polished stainless steel guard rail at
• Mahogany decks with varnished finish
• Mahogany exterior cabin sides, bulkheads, rails, windshield, cockpit coamings and associated joinery with varnished finish.
• Mahogany cabin tops overlaid with fiberglass cloth set in epoxy with white painted finish.

Deck Layout, Hardware and Features (fore to aft)

• Working Decks
• Varnished mahogany toe rails port and starboard
• Laid varnished mahogany decks
• Polished stainless steel stem iron with integral navigational lighting and burgee staff socket
• Polished stainless steel docking line chocks port and starboard
• Restored windlass on center line
• Polished stainless steel (bow line) docking cleats port and starboard outboard of windlass
• Circular varnished mahogany and polished stainless steel deck hatch providing thru-deck access to chain locker
• Danforth anchor stored in chocks to port outboard of chain locker deck hatch
• Forward cockpit with varnished mahogany windshield and upholstered seating
• Polished stainless steel (spring line) docking cleats with chafe guards port and starboard
• Polished stainless steel stanchion and varnished mahogany side safety rails port, starboard and aft
• Polished stainless steel bollards port and starboard at aft quarters
• Circular varnished mahogany and polished stainless steel deck hatch providing thru-deck access to lazarette storage.
• Cabin Tops
• Forward most cabin top has polished stainless steel handrails port and starboard with opening hatch on centerline furthest aft
• Cabin top above main saloon areas has polished stainless steel hand rails and horns port and starboard along with polished stainless steel search light to starboard
• Aft cabin top has tabernacle / mast step for flag mast, polished stainless steel dorade cowls for engine room ventilation and sliding companionway hatch for aft cabin entry.
• Center cockpit has raised varnished mahogany cockpit coamings with openings to deck port and starboard with upholstered seating aft and all ships and engine controls forward.

Propulsion and Fuel Systems and Equipment

• Twin engine gasoline fueled propulsion
• Mercury Marine, model 454, 330 HP, FWC engines (2ea)
• Engine Hours: 0.00 as per 2022 marine survey
• Original scrolled engine panels with tachometer and engine status gauges for fuel supply, charging amperage, water temperature and oil pressure
• Duel single-lever Morse controls for throttle and transmission control
• ZF transmissions
• Bronze propellor shafts
• 4-Blade bronze propellors
• Fuel Capacity: 300 Gallons
• Tanks” Aluminum 3 x 100 Gallons
• Duel Racor fuel filter system

Steering and Ship Handling Equipment

• Polished stainless steel and varnished mahogany steering wheel
• Polished stainless steel steering pedestal
• Vetus hydraulic steering
• Bronze rudder posts and rudders (2ea)
• Vetus bow thruster

Electronics and Navigational Equipment

• Danforth magnetic helm compass in polished stainless steel and cut glass binnacle
• Azimuth 1000 digital helm compass
• Uniden VHF radio
• Datamarine LX201 depth sounder

Electrical Systems and Equipment

• 12-Volt DC ships power and a110-Volt AC shore . generator  power electrical systems
• Separate battery banks for ships systems, engine start and generator start
• Rotary style battery selector switches
• 12-Volt DC distribution panel with circuits for all ship’s electrical functions
• 110-Volt AC / 30 Amp shore power cord
• 110-Volt AC shore power panel
• Kohler 6.5 Kw generator
• Battery charging by engine alternators (2ea)
• Battery charging by Guest 40 Amp battery charger

Freshwater Plumbing and Sanitation Systems and Equipment

• Freshwater Capacity: 90 Gallons
• Hot and cold pressure water system
• Stainless steel sink basin in galley
• Porcelain sink basins in heads (2 ea.)
• Separate stall shower in forward head
• Jabsco manually operated marine toilets (2ea)

Ground Tackle Systems and Equipment

• Anchor windlass
• Danforth anchor with appropriate chain and rode

Dewatering Equipment

• Attwood S1-1100 GPH electric / automatic bilge pumps (2ea) in forward and aft bilge areas

Safety and Required Equipment

• PFD’s. Type IV, Life Rings (2ea)
• Ships bell
• Oil discharge placard
• Trash management placard
• First aid kit
• Searchlight
• Fire extinguishers
• Fire Buoy fire suppression system in engine room