American boatbuilder Chris-Craft is celebrating 150 years of boat-building with the introduction of an anniversary edition of its Launch 27, the first of two Chris-Craft products launching in 2024.
The craft pays homage to the brand’s legacy of pleasure boating, with each anniversary boat equipped with a 150th burgee and steering wheel cap.
Additionally, the anniversary edition Launch 27 features a signature deep-V hull, reverse transoms, classic lines, hand-selected teak and an aquamarine trim that harks back to one of the signature colours incorporated into Chris-Craft boats over the years.
“Very few companies have the privilege of prospering long enough to celebrate a 150th anniversary,” said Stephen Heese, president, Chris-Craft. “It’s a testament to the vision of the founder of our company, Christopher Columbus Smith, and to the craftsmen before us who delivered unparalleled design and handcrafted beauty of Chris-Craft boats.”
“Since 1874, our boats have been beloved and passed down to generations of owners worldwide. While we are excited to celebrate this milestone, we are committed to furthering the legacy of Chris-Craft by continuing to invest in new technologies and designs that captivates boaters today and tomorrow.”
The company’s history has encompassed contributing more than 12,000 vessels to the US military during World War II.
The boats have drawn discerning boaters and historical figures over the years ranging from Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy to Frank Sinatra and Katherine Hepburn.
The brand has also attracted the attention of audiences in films and television shows, including On Golden Pond, Mission: Impossible, The Sopranos and The Crown.
The recent expansion of the brand’s manufacturing operations in Sarasota, Florida, reflects the brand’s commitment to taking on new technologies and designs. In this spirit, Chris-Craft will soon announce an all-new, next-generation boat with a sportier design aimed at attracting a new generation of boaters to the Chris-Craft owner family.
The Launch 27 debuted at the Miami International Boat Show.
