Presented by
Essex Marine Group
1966 Chris-Craft 57' (17.37 m) Constellation
Marina del Rey, California, United States
New School
The Chris-Craft 57 Constellation is an American icon. Built during the prime of Chris-Craft’s storied history, it was the flagship of the fleet. Beautiful, luxurious, and swift. A palace on the sea.
- Motor Yachts
- Power
- Used
- Diesel
- Composite Hull
- HIN/IMO: CAD572004F
Description
The Chris-Craft 57 Constellation is an American icon. Built during the prime of Chris-Craft’s storied history, it was the flagship of the fleet. Beautiful, luxurious, and swift. A palace on the sea.
New School is probably the finest example of these great yachts that you will ever find. The current owner has spent six years restoring, modernizing, and tastefully refurnishing everything about the boat to the highest standards. From the cold-molded mahogany and fiberglass hull, to the rebuilt engines, to the updated systems, everything has benefitted from the loving craftsman’s touch.
New School was purchased by her current owner in 2013, who embarked on a comprehensive restoration and modernization journey with two goals: making her as comfortable, safe, and luxurious to use as any modern boat, and maintaining the uniqueness, charm, and legendary design that takes her guests back to another time.
Less than 30 examples remain of the 57' Constellation, and none are as modern, usable, and lavishly rebuilt as this example. She is ready for a new caretaker who will become the most admired center of attention at any port of call.
She can be yours now. Call to find out how.
Northstar Yacht Sales is pleased to assist you in the purchase of this vessel. This boat is centrally listed by Denison Yachting. It is offered as a convenience by this broker/dealer to its clients and is not intended to convey direct representation of a particular vessel
Specifications
HIN/IMO: CAD572004F
LOA: 61' (18.59 Meters)
Type: Power- Used
Year: 1966
Beam: 15' 6''
Cabins: 3
Heads: 3
Maximum Speed: 11 Knots
Cruise Speed: 9 Knots
Fuel Type: Diesel
Hull Material: Composite
Fuel Tank: 560 Gallons (2119.83 Liters)
Fresh Water: 250 Gallons (946.35 Liters)
Dry Weight: 48000
Photos click to view all
Engines
Engine 1
- Engine Make: Detroit Diesel
- Engine Model: 8V71-N
- Engine Type: Inboard
- Power HP: 320.00
- Power KW: 238.62
- Fuel Type: Diesel
- Engine Location: Port
Engine 2
- Engine Make: Detroit Diesel
- Engine Model: 8V71-N
- Engine Type: Inboard
- Power HP: 320.00
- Power KW: 238.62
- Fuel Type: Diesel
- Engine Location: Starboard
Full Details
Modernization
Phase 1: Complete systems overhaul, newly revised interior layout, all new wiring and all systems replaced and modernized
Phase 2: Completely new keel and all in cold molded mahogany plywood and fiberglass, topside planking refreshed and fiberglassed for strength and stability
Phase 3: Original decking removed and new marine plywood, fiberglass, and teak top decking surface installed
Hull & Deck
Despite the generally good condition of the keel and planking, the owner made the decision that the right choice for the long-term strength, safety and usability of the boat was to rebuild the hull with entirely new material and additional fiberglass protection to preserve rigidity and eliminate water ingress. The goal was to have a dry boat that was more rigid and sound, while reducing the overall weight of the hull, and insure the boat is ready for another 50 years on the water with drastically reduced hull maintenance requirements.
Consulting with his shipwright, the owner developed a comprehensive plan to rebuild the entire hull and keel. Materials sourced include:
- 230 sheets of BS1088 Loyds approved mahogany plywood in 1/4", 3/8", and 3/4" thicknesses from renowned Boulter Plywood
- 400 yards of medium and heavy roving fiberglass (heavy for building up chines, stern corners, and keelson)
- 80 gallons of US composites epoxy and 3M microbaloons and other fillers
- 900 board feet of white oak to rebuild the keel from stern to stern
- Raptor composite staples and bronze fasteners were used where necessary
- 60 square feet of 1" thick solid fiberglass sheet for wear areas and edge surfaces (worm shoe, prop shields, etc.)
- 35 ribs were sistered and/or braced for additional strength and rigidity
Prop-logs and shaft logs were rebuilt in solid mahogany with solid fiberglass liner tubes to ensure long life and eliminate the possibility of leaks or movement.
Wherever possible, additional bracing and sistering was added to help tie the original stringers and ribs to the cold-molded hull and increase the strength.
The external portions of the keel were re-constructed, replacing the original white oak, fully bonded with epoxy, thru-bolted with 1" threaded bronze keel bolts, and finished with a solid fiberglass worm shoe/scuff guard.
All connections between keel, keelson and ribs were inspected and braced if necessary, sanded, sealed with epoxy and painted. The finished keel was then wrapped with three-four layers of axial roving fiberglass and then faired and painted.
The original bronze prop shaft struts were reused, but all mounting points were completely rebuilt with solid hardwood, solid fiberglass and then faired in with the hull structure to insure optimum alignment from engines to props.
The stern/transom section was rebuilt with extensive corner bracing and an additional layer of cold-molded marine plywood to provide extra strength. To integrate the original structure with the new cold molded structure, plywood planks were faired into the original rabbets of the frames and planed flush, with following layers overlapping each frame.
The new cold-molded planking is a combination of 2-4 layers of marine plywood sandwiched with thickened epoxy, each layer laid in diagonal orientation to the prior layer. After fairing, the cold molded hull is tied into the existing topside planking via 2-3 layers of epoxy.
With a new, solid cold-molded hull, the owner chose to install a Lewmar 6HP bow thruster that makes maneuvering even easier.
All corners, chine, keel connections and stern were glassed over with heavy fiberglass roving, and then smoothed and faired with a final two layers of fiberglass, forming a smooth and extremely rigid and durable hull.
Planking from waterline to toe rails was stripped of paint, inspected, filled and faired prior to receiving fiberglass.
Two layers of fine fiberglass were laid over the existing faired planking and tied in with additional fiberglass above the splash rail prior to painting.
After the work was completed, New School re-entered the water as a new boat, and without a single leak.
- 11 months and 2200 man hours of labor
- Completely dry hull with the same maintenance requirements of a fiberglass boat
- Dramatically and noticeable stiffer structure
- Significant weight reduction
- Maintained the correct look of the original
Despite these extensive repairs after a few years of use, it was clear the boats original teak decking was not ready for another 50 years of use. The boats teak was then completely re-done, some of the materials sourced are stated as follows:
- 700 board feet of selected Burmese teak
- 28 sheets of Boulter mahogany plywood
- Composite fasteners
- 40 meters of fiberglass cloth
- An upgraded stainless Man Ship circular hatch was selected and installed to restore the period correct looks of the original
- A new, larger solid teak swimstep was fabricated and installed at this time
Engines
- Original Detroit Diesel 8V71Ns with original Allison marine drive transmission
- 32V starters, starting system, and alternators (boat has entirely new electrical systems: most everything converted to 12V except for engine starting, bilge pumps, and windlass on 32V, can be converted easily to 24V if desired)
- 4 blade propellers rebalanced and serviced in 2024, prop-shafts machined and engines aligned at same time
- Complete rebuild in Newport Beach by previous owner in the early 2000's
- 1495 total hours since the complete rebuild, 500 hours with the current owner
- Walker Aires (crankcase oil catch cans) installed in early 2000's
- Converted to spin-on fuel filters from canister filters (much easier/quicker to change primary and secondary filters)
Maintenance & Restoration
- Entirely replaced wiring loom, starter circuits and gauge connections in 2018 as part of restoration
- Replaced all low/high pressure hoses and wet exhaust hoses
- Replaced all large exhaust hoses aft to transom, replaced original bronze exhaust pipes with fiberglass
- Vernatone high capacity mufflers (quieter than most Detroits, sound fantastic)
- Adjusted fuel injector rack about 300 hours ago
- Added air filter media to intakes (original motors had no filters!)
- Added Racor Fuel vacuum gauges to monitor fuel filter vacuum
- Coolant system flush 2022
- New accessory belts every few years
- Engine zincs replaced 2023
- Flushed transmission oil and replaced trans oil filters in 2021
- New impellers as needed
- Oil changes approx every 50-100 hours depending on use
- New Racor, primary and secondary fuel filters installed regularly
Disclaimer
The company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change or withdrawal without notice.
Listing MLS by Yachtr.com
Contact Us
Essex Marine Group
35 Industrial Park Rd.
Centerbrook CT 06426
Office: 1-860-767-4999
Email: chris@essexmarinegroup.com
We are located in Essex, CT, specializing in all aspects of Boat/Yacht Sales, Maintenance and management. We have indoor heated storage for boats up to 40', boat makeovers, engine repair, fiberglass repair. You name it, we can do it!