By Walter Frame Jr. member of the New England chapter
My love for Chris-Craft’s started in August 1937 on Lake George NY with me riding in my Grandfather’s 1929 Chris-Craft Cadet. I have had an amazing journey while spending 50 years on Great Pond in Maine.
In 1949 my family was at Candlewood Isle on Candlewood Lake, Connecticut in a Chris-Craft named Escape. This boat was primarily used for water sking and being a fairly good water skier I was approached by a water ski instructor from Cypress Gardens, Florida and asked if I had any interest in teaching. There however was one stipulation, that I paint his name on the side of the Chris-Craft which ended our conversation.
February 6, 1963 I purchased a 1962 Chris-Craft 16′ Runabout from Al Grover’s Marine in Freeport, NY for $2484. Unfortunately it sank off Fort Salonga, NY in a Nor’easter storm. Then July 1984 I purchased my 1949 Chris-Craft from George F. Johnson he lived in Wolfeboro NH. This time spending $4,500, she had the Chris-Craft model B engine and original red Naugahyde upholstery. The original owner Anni Sanford was from Auburn Maine and she had name the boat “Muschi. Shortly after in September 1986 the Chris-Craft was featured in “Down East” magazine.
I conducted the Antique and Classic boat parade on Great Pond and Mill Stream consisting of 27 boats, oldest one being a 1915 Launch and newest being a 1987 Old Town Canoe back in August 3, 1996.
In June 21 1997 my son Gregg arrived at his wedding site on Abena Shores Great Pond using (now named De’ja’Vu) the Chris-Craft. Then August 17, 2019 Granddaughter Taylor was delivered to her wedding site at Abena Shores, September 1,2019 Granddaughter Morgan left her wedding at Abena Shores all using De’ja’Vu’. There is one more Granddaughter Alexa in waiting to use De’ja’Vu!
The boat was surveyed in 2010 by Kent Thurston or Troy ME and said that De’ja’Vu was a wonderful boat that is obviously being kept in the right hands. Restoration also took place in 2010, with transom work being done in 2012. And finally being refinished by David Hepfner from Thunder Castle Boat, Readfield ME in 2019.
I have been a member of ACBS since 1984 and enjoy reading all the articles.
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful story! I wished you lived on Long Island so you could give me some tips on how to master staying on a slalom ski!
Hi Jan,
My dad is 89 yrs old.While extremely sharp, he is struggling a bit with technology.He asked that I reply to you.Do you live on Long Island he is wondering?My dad was born in Hempstead, but grew up in East Williston and went to Roslyn High School.
Best,
Nancy Frame Mealey
nancymealey@me.com
We have a camp on Long Pond, Belgrade, Me and have the joy in riding in our 1953 Chris Craft Rocket each summer. Going to Day’s Store by boat with the grandkids for ice cream is one of the special treats we enjoy. I will bring my boat to Great Pond some day this summer and cruise the shoreline and see if I can spot your beautiful boat. Dave Hepfner has also worked on our boat.
Please do!