Chris-Craft to introduce Commander 42 at dealer meeting
Chris-Craft’s all-new “Commander 42” will make its debut next month at the 2016 Chris-Craft Dealer Meeting, the company announced Friday.
The rapid “to market” timing is possible due to a joint venture with Italian yacht builder, Austin Parker. Chris-Craft designed the interiors and specified the new Commander 42, working closely with Austin Parker as its design and manufacturing partner.
The Commander 42 marks Chris-Craft’s first step into the cabin cruiser market through a range of New England Lobster-style open boats that dovetail with Chris-Craft’s classic design philosophy. With a modern interpretation on a historical lobster boat line, the Commander 42 will embrace the brand’s timeless heritage and signature design, the company said.
“Chris-Craft has always sought to be differentiated, and we believe that the new Commander line is a perfect addition to our product line,” said Stephen Julius, chairman of Chris-Craft.
The Commander 42 will be powered with twin Volvo IPS 600 D6 435-HP engines. It has two cockpit areas for entertainment (one open aft, and one under a hardtop which can be fully enclosed with sliding doors), a large sunbed on the bow, a cockpit galley, sleeping below for five people, a head and separate shower, teak floors in the cockpit, wooden floors below deck and “classic Chris-Craft design details.”
Following the introduction of the Commander 42 in July, the boat will be showcased at shows and events across the world, beginning with the Cannes Yachting Festival in France, and the Newport International Boat Show in Rhode Island in September 2016. Chris-Craft will launch a Commander 36 and Commander 52 in 2017, bringing the Chris-Craft Commander range of open boats to three models which will be sold exclusively on a global basis under the Chris-Craft brand name.
Austin Parker will continue to build and market a range of flybridge boats in 54, 64, and 74 ft. lengths under the “Austin Parker” name.
The old Commanders are wonderful boats…this new one sounds like it will be even better. Would love to see it.
Would have loved to see the Commander series have a Carolina bow.
It will be interesting to see how the performance and cubic specks compare to a late (60’s+) pre-glass (WOOD) 42′ Constellation, especially on cost, space, and performance!