This is an extremely well maintained 24' Skiff Craft hard top cruiser, Model X240, made by Skiff Craft (akaHenry Boats) of Plain City, Ohio, in 1981. The Henry Boat Company was originally founded in 1904 in Peterborough, Ontario, and relocated to Plain City, Ohio, in 1959 and subsequently renamed Skiff Craft. Plain City, Ohio, was selected so the company could draw on the local Amish and Mennonite communities for skilled craftsmen to build these classic woodenboats. This company is still in existence today building the same high quality Skiff Craft boats in a handful of variations and lengths. You can buy a boat similar to the one listed here direct from the factory today for about $75,000 or so. Importantly, you can also still get factory parts and service on this classic wooden lapstrake crusier!
This boat was designed for the open waters of the Great Lakes. Its high gunwale design and enclosed helm station and dinette under a hard top provide plenty of protection from the weather for the captain and guests. I sought out this boat to buy for cruising the inland lakes and rivers in Florida because the hard top design also provides protection from the intensity of the sun during midday in the summer months in Florida. This is a very comfortable boat for a day-long cruise or even an over-nighter.
Extensive renovation was undertaken a couple of years ago beginning with a complete down-to-the-crankshaft engine rebuild. All recommended upgrades for this engine were included such as switching to an alternator charging system, changing the intake manifold and carburettor to the Rochester 4-Barrel and installing the larger diameter heat exchanger. The boat has a dual battery electrical system with a pair of fresh Optima Marine batteries installed.
The exterior hull was stripped down to bare wood, primed and painted with Pettit Marine White with Red at the waterline and a Blue accent along the gunwale. This work was undertaken at a professional classic boat restoration shop and was finished to a very high standard. The finish is so perfect that people can't believe it is not a fiberglass boat even when they are standing right next to the boat at a launch ramp. Most people rap their knuckles on the hull before they actually believe that it is a wood boat.
While stripped and ready for painting, the hull was carefully examined for any wood rot or damage. NONE was found and NO wood repairs or patches were found to be necessary. The boat is as solid as it was when originally built.
The large main deck has plenty of room to allow guests to move around during a cruise. There is a cozy dinette that can seat four plus there are two chairs facing the stern and a long lounge at the stern facing forward that provide another five seats for adults.
Extended outings on the water with family or friends are not a problem. Urgent returns to shore are never necessary. This boat has a large cuddy cabin with an under-the-cushion head which is plumbed to a pump-out on the starboard forward deck. The head is a variant of a porta-potty so it also can be removed from the boat for cleaning as well.
This boat includes a complete canvas camping enclosure that would easily accommodate a family of four or five for an overnight cruise. In addition to the large berth in the cuddy cabin that could accommodate two adults, two of the chairs in the main deck can be expanded to lounges which could also double as beds plus the lounge across the stern of the boat could also be used as a bed.
Even though there is a lot of space on board this boat, it's beam is only 8 feet wide so I understand that it can be trailered throughout the US without the size restrictions that a boat 8 feet or wider would have to deal with.
This boat is easily trailered on its Load Rite dual axle trailer. I recently upgraded this trailer with new surge-type disk brakes. The boat is well balanced on its trailer and it tows extremely well with no stress or drama behind my F-150 pickup truck.
A few years ago I thought I would be keeping this boat for a very long time. That's why I invested the time and money to make it just right for me. However, my plans have changed and I will be selling my home in Lake County, Florida. So, sooner, rather than later, I will be selling this boat, too.
I should also mention that, because of its age and its classic wooden lapstrake construction, this boat qualifies in one of the vintage boat categories recognized by the Antique and Classic Boat Society. I have been a member of the ACBS chapter in Central Florida for several years and this boat has been a faithful participant at many ACBS outings.
So, finally, if you are looking for a large comfortable boat that is also a classic in its lineage and construction and is easily trailered to whatever lake, river or vintage boating event you fancy, you should consider contacting me to talk about this boat.
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