TOPIC: Early 60's 15' Craig Spitfire

Found this at a local marina. Needs a bunch of work, new floor, transom....just about everything., even the trailer. Cool looking boat, I'm going to inquire about it when they reopen on Wednesday. Hopefully they just want to get rid of it.

That looks a lot like an American Marc.

From the library...
"In January 1960 American Marc made a deal with Craig Systems, Inc. of Lawrence, Mass. where Craig would make the fiberglass American Marc boat line for sale in 17 eastern states. In August 1960 Craig Systems leased a 50,000 sq.ft. complex in Haverhill, Mass. for the molding and assembly of the fiberglass American Marc boats."

Thats a pretty wild boat, it would be a blast to cruise, good luck!

Hi live in Haverhill. There is also one near lake sunnapee in new Hampshire.

Definitely has some sweet lines, did you find out anything NJTriton?

Yeah I went back today and talked to the daughter of the man who owns the marina, and the boat. Unfortunately the owner died recently and the boat was left to his daughter and son who now run the place. Her father got it in a trade and was planning on restoring it before he passed. We were talking a bit and she said to make an offer but I wanted to do more research to give her a decent offer but I am coming up short. The boT is in very bad shape but it is VERY COOL. IT does not come with the trailer it sits on which means I'd have to find one, which is a PITA, but it will fit on a jet ski trailer.

Very cool, nice lines, very unique, a lot of work, a lot of time/money. If you are planning on keeping it and enjoying it when it is all said and done, go for it! If you are thinking about turning it when finished, I'm not sure of the market for this boat and your ability to be on the positive side. It is definitely a nice boat to have in your collection, even if you own 1 or 20! It has caught my eye, that's for sure. Good Luck on your decision!
Regards,
StevieB

Well we'll find out when I go back this weekend...The good thing (if you can call it that) is that its at the point where there is no real dis-assembly except to take the hardware and cap off which will make the redoing the floor and transom that much easier.

like it a lot.bet it would look even better in the water. ron

Looks like the buy isn't going to happen. The lady selling the boat thinks it's worth a LOT more than it is, so I left my name and hopefully she comes around and realizes what I want to do for the boat...such is life, on to the next.

NJTriton,

YEP. = "The National Treasure Syndrome", where the owner thinks that what they have is worth 5/10/20/100 times what their item is worth.

In my experience, such boats/cars/etc. usually end up "trashed" at a landfill, as NOBODY is stupid enough to pay a "highway robbery" price for the item.

yours, satx

Very cool looking boat. Too bad they're not being realistic with the price. I live in northern NJ and unfortunately I think everyone in the NY metropolitan area has "The National Treasure Syndrome".

i'm in no. jersey also, and probably would pay a ridiculous price for that boat if i wasn't retired.it is really sharp. ron

My cousin and I bought a sister boat, an American Marc Stardust, a few years ago. This boat is very wide, a 7' beam easily. My cousin have since got rid of her in trade of a Reinell Jetabout, thanks to our good friend up north, Rick and Ingvar.

Here's a link to a restored Spitfire. This is why we picked one up. Pretty cool looking boat I think.

www.nefiberglass.com/61_Craig_Craft.htm

This was what ours looked like.

Eduardo