Gil Maringer, North Coast Ohio Chapter

When the Antique and Classic Boat Society created a new “Resto-Mod” classification for boats that have been restored and modified with modern engines and equipment while preserving the classic boat style and historical significance, it almost seemed to be tailor-made for a certain Chris Craft Holiday on Portage Lakes.

Way back in 1963, Bill Kruger Sr. bought a 1962 Chris-Craft 20-foot Holiday. Even though it was just a year old, the boat’s original bankrupt owner had left it abused, exposed to harsh weather, and already showing signs of neglect.  

The Kruger family used the boat for many years, teaching grand kids how to ski and fish and eventually the boat was passed on to Bill Kruger Jr. who finally passed it to his son Byron Kruger, the boat’s current owner. 

Byron remembers the boat’s hard working early years in the Kruger family where it pulled hundreds of hours of skiers and took his dad’s friends fishing. He says there were lots of fish hooks stuck in the upholstery and cigar burns on the decks. One day while trying to sneak under the low bridge heading from Dusty’s Canal to Rex Lake, the low clearance ripped the windshield loose from the deck. By then, the bottom was leaking worse and worse and rot had gotten into the old planks so the worn out old boat was stuck in the back corner of Byron’s garage. 

Thirty years passed by.

Byron, who has restored and owned many classic boats, always had a dream of converting his grandfather’s derelict Holiday into a sleek “Gentleman’s racer” similar to the 1930s yacht club members’ boats who built them for racing and bragging rights. So in late 2023 Byron discussed his vision with Brian Keen of the Motor Boat Garage in Cincinnati to design, rebuild, and convert the old Chris-Craft.  

The project began in October of 2023 with a whole new bottom being installed. Then changes were made to the sides and the whole transom was reconfigured. The driver’s cockpit was moved from it’s original location in front of the engine to behind the brand new V8 300 hp engine. (The original engine was 185 hp so there was a lot of planning to control the hull under increased speed in addition to fine tuned changes for weight distribution).  

The boat’s original long front deck was extended even further back to give the sleek appearance of the 1930s racers. A hidden front cockpit is barely noticeable until it’s hatch is lifted, tilted and slid on it’s tracks down under the front deck like a piece of fine furniture. Behind the front cockpit the engine bay sits under an electrically raised hatch that was made flush with the rest of the deck to further enhance the design of the speedy racers. There are no cleats on the mahogany or walnut stained decks so as to further enhance the smooth long deck, yet there are small bronze catch holes for fenders with pegs that can be inserted. Even the bow light was made to look sleek by converting a Chris-Craft Holiday’s deck vent to cleverly hold the concealed running lights.  

Brian obtained a 1920s original steering wheel, installed beautiful period correct gauges, and had custom wide rolled upholstery specially fitted to the boat’s cockpits. To control the leveling of the boat at speeds well beyond what the original hull was designed for, a set of GPS computer guided trim tabs were installed that constantly monitor and adjust as the boat changes speeds and rolls into turns and wave action.

 

Byron Kruger’s vision and Brian Keen’s boat building craftmanship have combined to produce a stunning example of classic boat design being mated with the science and skills of modern boat building technology.

1 Comment

  1. I admire people who have a vision and the wherewithal to execute the project. The boat looks great!—Nice to see the USPS ensign also,

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