[maritimer]

I took a quick look at the carolina classics that came up in a google images search and they all seem to have a pointed bow, this one is stubbish looking (well rounded with no point along the rub rail) like the v20 but I'll look more into their older models when I have time to spare in the next few days.

I'll take some better pictures when I head out to take the carb off for a rebuild once the rain let's up then post them here. Are there any certain angles / views or measurements that would help anyone with identifying the source of this boat?

The guy I bought the boat from was given a story that "it was a custom build for an exec in the upper ranks of chris craft to use as a launch" but without any documentation that's only a story. With chris craft releasing the ray hunt designed bertram styled sport fisherman around the same time, what are the chances that this boat was a prototype for another hunt designed chris craft that was close to a v20?

I've found a few references online about patent infringements on the v20 tunnel drive around this same time also but haven't yet found who was on the wrong end of that case. I could understand chris craft stopping development on a boat that may start a round 2 with wellcraft's patent lawyers.

In any event, I expect this to turn out to be a decent boat, the bow flares and deep v should come in handy for some near shore fishing runs and the straight shaft inboard deals with my fears of chewing up folks with the prop on ski/tube days. An outdrive would be nice for trimming (I'll add trim tabs if needed) and beach landings or shallow waters but the transom is solid and the gas tank is in the stern so I'm only going to go as far as a new deck and stringers if it needs them. There's a one square foot soft spot starting to give a bit of flex in the deck but I haven't gotten to test holes in the stringers.

Also, not sure if this is relevant in anyway but I have to find any foam under the deck or in the bow and I haven't taken the teak off the sides to see if there's any under the sides.