Chris Craft Holiday

Chris Craft Golden Age 1962-1967 $20,000-$50,000

Why it matters

The Holiday was Chris Craft's family runabout — more affordable than the Cobra, more spacious than the Capri. It bridged the gap between sport boats and utility boats. Families water-skied behind these, picnicked on sandbars, made summer memories. The Holiday was aspirational but achievable.

Specifications

Hull Material Philippine mahogany on oak frames
Length 18-20 ft
Beam 7 ft 2 in
Draft 2 ft 4 in
Weight 2,400-2,800 lbs
Engine Chris Craft K or KL series
Engine Type inboard
Horsepower 135-185 hp
Passengers 7
Production Several thousand built

Notable Features

  • Family-friendly cockpit
  • Moderate price point for era
  • White hull option available
  • Transition-era styling

Patina notes

Holiday boats show family wear — the kind of patina earned through decades of use rather than restoration. Seat cushions reupholstered multiple times. Dashboards with sun-faded gauges. Hardware worn smooth from generations of hands. This is the patina of love.

Preservation reality

Holidays are the accessible entry point to Chris Craft ownership. Production numbers were high, and enough survive that prices stay reasonable. A driver-quality Holiday can be found for under $30,000. Full restorations are less common than with premium models, meaning original-condition boats surface regularly.

Clubs

  • Antique and Classic Boat Society (ACBS)
  • Chris Craft Antique Boat Club

Events

  • Sunnyland Antique Boat Festival
  • Hessel Wooden Boat Show
  • Geneva Lakes Boat Show

Sources