Related Articles
NUTS 'N BOLTS. Chris-Craft's hull layup is a traditional formula that's worked well for them and should cause no problems for you. Layers of 1.5-oz. mat and 1.5-oz. chop alternate with layers of 17.08 through 24.15 woven roving. Marine plywood stringers are also wrapped in glass, and the hull-to-deck marriage is a shoebox-type fit bonded with polyurethane adhesive. Mechanical fastening is via stainless screws inserted into a wooden strip bonded to the hull wall. Does this match a through-bolted and adhesive-fastened offshore battlewagon? No. But for inland and fair-weather coastal cruising, the Crowne will march with the best of them.
With its standard Volvo Penta power, the Crowne lists for $103,620. For comparison, Crownline's somewhat larger 330 Cruiser, with 33'7" LOA, 11'7" beam and 11,800-lb. displacement, is a near-lookalike that treads the same waters. With the same standard power as the Chris-Craft, the well-equipped CrownLine's 1997 price is $106,000.
This new Chris-Craft 32 Crowne should appeal to all comers. It's an easy ridin', easy livin' express cruiser with a makeover. Call it a solid nine.
LOA..........32'1"
Beam........11'6"
Draft.........2'3"
Displacement (lbs., approx.)...11,350
Minimum cockpit depth.....2'5"
Transom deadrise.....21°
Max cabin headroom.....6'2"
Bridge clearance...9'7"
Fuel capacity (gal.)..........200
Water capacity (gal.)..........35
Price (w/standard power) ...........$103,620
Price (as tested) ...........$118,870
STANDARD POWER: Twin 250-hp 5.7Gi-liter Volvo Penta V-8 gasoline stern drives.
OPTIONAL POWER: Twin Volvo Penta gasoline or diesel stern drives to 300 hp.
TEST BOAT POWER: Twin 250-hp Volvo Penta V-8 5.7Gi gasoline stern drives with 350 cid, 4.00" bore x 3.48" stroke, turning 15" x 17" three-bladed stainless-steel props through a 1.5:1 reduction.
STANDARD EQUIPMENT (major items): Analog engine instrumentation; JVC AM/FM cassette stereo w/six speakers; 4 110v duplex outlets w/ ground fault interruption protection; cockpit wetbar w/integrated sink and faucet; hot and cold transom shower; integrated swim platform w/ss ladder; Dino wood steering wheel; 3 windshield wipers; 2 auto. bilge pumps w/float switches; compass; 110/12v Norcold refrigerator; battery charger; LCD depthsounder; Igloo cooler; sport arch.
