Okay, so I’ve been on this kick lately, totally obsessed with vintage boats. And not just any vintage boats, mind you – I’m talking about the classic wooden ones, the kind that just ooze style and craftsmanship. Specifically, I’ve had my eye on Chris Craft Constellations. They’re just… chef’s kiss.
So, I started my deep dive, as one does. I figured, “Hey, I’m just looking, right? No harm in browsing.” Famous last words, I tell ya.
I began with the usual suspects, you know, just Googling around. I wanted to get a feel for the market, see what’s out there, what kind of prices I was looking at, and what condition these beauties were typically in.
My Research Process.
My research process went a little something like this:
- Scouring Online Listings: I spent hours, and I mean hours, just scrolling. I was looking at everything from pristine, fully-restored models to ones that were, shall we say, “projects.”
- Reading Forum Posts: Oh man, the forums. These are goldmines of information. You get real talk from actual owners, people who’ve been there, done that. I learned a ton about common issues, maintenance nightmares, and the sheer joy (and occasional pain) of owning one of these classics.
- Watching video: There’s nothing quite like a video, to watch people who have worked on this or are in the trade of working on this.
- Dreaming: A crucial step, of course. I spent a good chunk of time just picturing myself cruising on one of these beauties, wind in my hair, sun on my face… you get the picture.
The more I looked, the more I realized this wasn’t just a casual browsing situation. I was getting seriously hooked. I started to narrow down my search, focusing on specific years and lengths that seemed like a good fit for me (and my, ahem, hypothetical budget).
I even went down a rabbit hole researching restoration costs. Because let’s be real, unless you’re made of money, you’re probably going to be looking at a boat that needs at least some work. And wooden boat restoration? It’s a whole different ballgame. We’re talking serious time, skill, and, yes, money.
So, where am I at now? Well, I haven’t pulled the trigger yet. But I’m definitely closer. I’ve got a much better understanding of what I’m getting myself into, both the good and the potentially very expensive. I’m still looking, still learning, and still dreaming. The hunt continues!
