Curtis Boat Works

Custom 1947 Hacker Craft

This 30 foot one of a kind Hacker craft was in very bad shape when we started. Much of the planking was rotted and most of the chrome hardware was missing .Using old photos and John Hacker's drawings we recreated the hardware. Then we installed a Rolls Royce V 12 engine that should have adequate power.

about us

Custom 1947 Hacker Craft

My name is Don Curtis. I have been restoring classic and antique boats for about fifty years .My son David works with me though he hasn't been at it quite as long. We specialize in restoring boats that need extensive rebuilding. For this we use a system we developed and call individually stabilized planks.

1957 Chris Craft

Custom 1947 Hacker Craft

1957 Chris Craft

This is a1957 Chris Craft continental 26 foot twin engine.

1942 RR V12

1955 Chris Craft

1957 Chris Craft

1955 Chris Craft

You need big exhaust pipes for that V 12. It's 1650 cubic inches or 27.4 liters.

1955 Chris Craft

This is a 1955 Chris Craft capri 21 foot.1955

The Joltin Joe project

In 1949 the Yankees had a Joe DiMaggio day at Yankee stadium and his fans gave him a Chris Craft speed boat named Joltin Joe. Many years later Joe gave the boat to the city of Martinez California which is where he was born. The city displayed the boat in a park on top of some poles for many years and the weather took a tole on it. The Sons of Italy seeing the sad state of the boat decided to raise money to restore it. Martinez carpenters local 152 would do the labor but did not know how to restore boats. A friend told me about the project and I volunteered to be the coach.