by Vic Melchiorre member of the Indiana chapter
I saw my Chris-Craft XK18 several years before I bought it. One summer day in 2011 or 2012, my best friend Brian Buehrer and I decided to go to Cassopolis, Michigan from Lake James Indiana to see Roger Pecina’s museum & collection of boats & etc. We arrived and went through the museum on a self-guided tour and made our way to buildings that contained project boats. I was drawn to what turned out to be a 1971 XK18 as I recognized the hull design as that of my 1970 XK19. Upon closer inspection I noted the “454” badges on the hatch cover, meaning it had the exclusive and rare 454 Guardian motor therein. Finished in Bronze and cream livery, I thought it would make a good baby brother to my XK19. However, I didn’t feel any urgency to buy it, so we returned to Lake James, but the memory of that bronze beauty haunted me.
A few years later, the Indiana Chapter of the ACBS, Brian & I went to see Roger’s collection. The XK18 in the same building. In mid-2016, it appeared on Ebay, the listing noted it had an engine knock, but I was the highest bidder. The following Saturday, Brian and I set out for Cassopolis to pick up the XK18. Returning to Angola, we installed a battery and attempted a start. We took it to the ramp at nearby Fox lake, whereupon the rope holding the bow eye to the trailer snapped and it flew backwards off the rollers into the water, where it drifted across the channel. Fortunately, the plug was in, but Brian gamely jumped in the murky water and retrieved it. Although it did start, it would not run more than a second and we hauled out. I took it to Dry Dock Marine Center in Angola, so my friend and owner, Terry Archbold, could evaluate it.
Terry called me a few days later and informed me that one cylinder had zero compression, so we sent the heads out for reconditioning. The carburetor was hopelessly plugged, but Terry had a NOS Edlebrock in inventory which replaced the old one. He also added a HEI distributor for safety and reliability. The bottom end of the motor was good. The aluminum manifolds and exhaust logs went out for polishing and repair as needed, the rest of the motor was painted and resealed. The Jacuzzi jet pump received machine work. I took the bucket seats back home and had Smitty’s Indianapolis Marine fix the rotten seat bottoms. I installed a new vinyl rub rail insert using a roll I had left over from a previous project, and touched up some paint blemishes.
By June of 2017 it was ready for a sea trial. We launched on Lake James and it started and ran perfectly. I have since installed some “smart” trim tabs. I will have a new windshield made and install some loud deck horns. A place diverter may be in the future someday.
I have done the opposite , have 2 XK18’s , one with 51 original hours
Now doing the restoration of an xk19
Hi Glenn – would love to talk to you about your restoration and source for parts for the XK18’s …
Do you have either one of your 18s with the BBC for sale
Thank you
Tim Vickers
Tim.vickers1863@gmail.com
I haveone for sale 812 897-3669
Hello,
Would it be possible for you to send me some pictures?
wow I have never seen or even heard about these early fiber chris jets , were the heck have they been hiding?? anyone know of one for sale ?? I need one of these badly !!
i’ve got a really clean one w/454 ls6 engine. been told only about 50 of the 200 made had this engine option. if you are serious let’s talk.
I actually have one with the 454 if anyone is interested. Runs and has place diverter. I can’t get the family as into as I am so we are typically out In the mastercraft.
Still have it?
Bill
washmore@hotmail.com
Will or Carl,
Can you email me please john@reynoldslawoffice.net I am looking for an XK-18. Thank you. John
Hi Glenn. My name is Ralph and live in eastern North Carolina. I was browsing and noticed the article on your XK-18. I have one ad well, bronze/cream with the Guardian 454 and Jacuzzi jet pump. I’ve had the boat for about a year and after it gets on plane it wants to porpoise. I noted in the article that you had added “smart trim tabs “. Was that for a porpoising issue and are they aka “self-leveling “ trim tabs. My boat has fixed tabs directly adjacent to the jet housing. From the installation, it appears they were a factory item. Any info you can give me on this subject would be greatly appreciated. I’ve been chasing this is for months with little success. Also, know anybody who has a manual specific to the Guardian 454? Been chasing that too.
Best regards, Ralph
We shimmed the pump and got rid of the porpoising. Anyone know if it came with the wj or yj pump, I’m rebuilding mine and need a couple parts that are marine can get me. My tag was gone when purchased
I have this exact boat for sale in Lake Tahoe. Bronze and cream with 454 guardian/jacuzzi. 256 hrs, been stored for years and years. We ran it yesterday. Anyone interested?
Chris, Is your boat in Tahoe still available for purchase?
Chris, Did you sell it? Curious on the price. My dad also has the 454 (was bronze/oyster with brown tweed shag but had to repaint and re-carpet after sustaining some vandalism while on the lift years ago).
Any clue where you’ll source or did source a windshield for that thing? I have an identical boat and mines missing
This is a very cool post. Funny, as I was reading it and looking at the photos I realized I now own this boat.
I’ve got a XK-18 1973 W/ 454 i acquired , I live in Portola CA, I’m looking for a good mobile boat mechanic in my area, we are 40 miles from Lake Tahoe, also, It is for sale Contact Calvin at 7753357848
Thanks Cal