Chelsea, a 1961, 27-foot Chris-Craft Sea Skiff is a great day boat that you can camp out in with a fully cushioned V-birth. She is a pleasure to drive and with her mahogany transom attracts attention where ever she goes.
She can easily carry six for an evening cruise and with her powerful eight-cylinder engine confidently glide over the water at 20 knots. The handsome engine box in the middle of her roomy nine foot by 12-foot aft deck makes a picture perfect platform for cocktail making and a full-on appetizer spread. Chelsea is a rare find and a beautiful example of the Chris-Craft brand of storied workmanship, attention to detail and Great Lakes style. Her timeless design with extra wide seats up front, a cozy cabin and large aft deck with a wide bench seat in the rear has many newer boats sharing Chelsea’s same layout, for example see the Fortier 26 at six times the price.
Constructed of 1/2 inch plywood, she is solid bottom with no structural issues whatsoever and powered by a V-8, 300 hp Crusader engine.
The hull was painted last year with some touch ups inside. She comes with a lot of equipment including a 5-inch Garmin GPS, dripless stuffing box, dock lines, porta potty, compass, anchor and rode, fenders, complete cushions for her cabin, compass, transom cover, waterproof bimini, plastic side curtains, radio, antenna, 60-gallon gas tank, wooden swim ladder, and more.
While she has been meticulously cared for by her present owner of seven years, like many boats of her vintage problems crop up. At end of the 2020 season the lifters began making noise and need to be replaced.
This past summer (2020) my wife and I took her on a seven-day cruise from Darien, Connecticut, on Long Island Sound , out to Block Island and back To Sag Harbor before returning home to Western Long Island Sound. She’s got legs.
Chelsea is an beautiful example of an early 60s Sea Skiff and after looking all around Long Island and up and down The Sound, I haven't seen another in half as good shape.
I’m a private seller and want to see Chelsea go to a good home and considering her lifter problem is priced to sell. If you have questions inquire to the ABA website and give me a call. She is a really great boat and any offer will be considered.