1961 55' Chris Craft Constellation

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M.V. Independence
55' 1961 Chris-Craft Constellation

There are many pleasure boat builders. However, there is only one pleasure boat builder's name known throughout the world - Chris-Craft.

Chris Craft was well known for their beautiful and seaworthy cruisers such as the Constellation. The Constellation, affectionately called "Connies" by their loyal owners, was perhaps the most sought-after flush deck motor yacht of the time. The Chris Craft Constellation was developed with three key principals – Seaworthiness, Comfort and Performance. They were well built, fast, rugged and they were the flagships of the Chris Craft Corporation and truly floating optical attractions.

The magnificent Constellation was designed for the most discriminating yachtsman. It was superbly fashioned in every detail, built to give unexcelled performance and styled for lasting beauty.

Commissioned in November of 1960, for model year 1961, at the Chris-Craft facility in Pompano Beach Florida, this hardtop express cruiser of mahogany plank on frame construction is hard chine, planing type hull. She has all the comforts of home on the water. Independence is the last of eight of her model built that year by Chris-Craft at Pompano.

In 1961 the average annual family income was $5,700, a First Class stamp cost $0.05, a Chevy Impala sold for $2,500, a gallon of gas cost $0.25, a loaf of bread cost $0.21, tailored women's slacks averaged $9.90, a 2 cycle RCA Washing machine cost $148 and the on board Castro Convertible sofa bed retailed for $250. At that time the list price for Independence before any of the many extras were added was $90,000.

Her inherent design, grace and beauty make her a breed apart from most vessels of her size. Everything about Independence is classic and traditional in style. The strong, carvel planked hull is painted in the traditional Chris-Craft colors of Midnight Blue and White. The classic gold scroll Chris-Craft triple C arrows adorns both sides of the bow. Rich Chris-Craft mahogany stain and high gloss finish cover the railings, molding and trim. While the superstructure is finished with a high gloss Snow White. Her mahogany interior is is beautifully finished throughout and is tastefully quiet and simple yet offers the ultimate in comfortable living afloat. Independence weighs in at twenty two and a half tons, with a length of fifty-five feet, a beam of fourteen feet, six inches and with over 6’ of headroom she has plenty of space to relax and roam around. Chris-Craft reduced the rolling of their large cruisers by building the Constellation models with a hard chine. In addition, with a six-foot freeboard she offers excellent protection and safety in the rough waters. Her twin diesels produce 672-hp and can drive her at speeds to 24 knots.

Independence speaks to a time when cruising had a sense of elegance and timelessness. She is equipped for entertaining and long range economical cruising in comfort and style. With three large double staterooms, she accommodates six people very comfortably. Marine professionals continually provide all the servicing and maintenance to insure worry free continues service.

Please send your views, thoughts and comments to:
Tom Kenny

I must go down to the seas again,
to the lonely sea and the sky,
and all I ask is a tall ship, (or a Chris-Craft Connie)
and a star to steer her by.

- John Masefield -