Chris Craft Connie 501 Forum

The Chris Craft 501 forum (on another site) is long closed. I have indexed the keywords "Chris Craft Connie 501 forum" with YF's SEO technology. In a few hours, YachtForums should top a Google search for the same.

I did the same thing for Chris Craft Roamer owners a few years ago and it has flourished. Give this thread some time and others should join in. With enough active members, we will set up a dedicated forum.

There's a very good reason WHY we host forums for various brands. The collective knowledge of various yacht owners, captains, engineers, brokers, buyers or enthusiasts gives each brand; each forum; an incredible resource. While our boats may be different, the equipment, materials, maintenance, navigation and procedures remain the same.

Many brand-specific forums have failed, especially for boats or models no longer in production. At YachtForums, the traffic and exposure generated for ALL of the forums exponentially increases the success rate and propagation of an individual forum. In August, we exceeded 354,000 readers. And we're going higher.

BTW... I'm a huge fan of the 501. It was WAY ahead of its time in layout and design. It's hard to find a better boat for the money and it has strongly withstood the test of time.

m/y ELEGANCE

Hello COURTSHIP~

I am in the process of purchasing a 1987 "501" in Canada this fall. A lot of boat for the money! Not so sure of the V6-92TA's though... the vessel has 1300 hours and the owner tellls me they are in excellent shape and don't burn oil.. he runs them at hull displacement speed most of the time except to clean them out every four hours.. I was impressed with that vessel first time I saw her...

biminijimini

I am a yacht broker and have represented the sale of quite a few 501's over the years. I have some knowledge and will be happy to help as I can.

The 6v92's have a spotty rep, mainly as a result of their use in sportfish boats where they get run hard, all the time. In motoryachts, they typically get run at a lower RPM, where they have much better longevity. I sold a Chris 500 Connie a few years back that had 3500 hours running time on a pair of 550 HP 6v92's. At contract, I advised the purchaser that it would be prudent to budget for a rebuild. Pre-purchase engine survey proved machinery to be healthy. Surveyor commented that "these engine have likely been run at 1500 RPM's their entire life". Engine life is more about total gallons of fuel that has passed through the engines, as opposed to total hours running time.

The 501 Chris is a great model. Lots of bang for the buck.

Courtship~

90% sounds a little hard to me but I'm no expert when it comes to diesels but being a farmer for years I know most diesels have recommended RPM to run at throttle too... I hear from others saying that running them at hull displacement speeds (1300 RPM) are the best but one needs to "push them" at higher RPM's to clean them out. But now remembering they are turbo and watercooled makes sense to run them a little harder too. My CC Cornathian 331 have 360 Chrysler Marine which I run fairly easy but do put it on plane often during the day. I do "open it up to 95%" at least coming home to dock for a few minutes. The present owner of the 501 says he doesn't run it very hard at all.. Good or Bad thing?? I don't know maybe. I know the engine temperature has to be in the normal operating range or you're hurting the engine big time!

biminijimini

There were not many galley up 4 stateroom 501's built. I was aboard one a few years ago in Fort Lauderdale. I believe that they are mostly 1990 model year, and have the oak interior. My personal impression was that the deckhouse saloon is so small with half being consumed by the galley, that there is not enough remaining seating space for the number of people for which there are berths. It may work quite well for charter, or a large family. When the 4 SR boats come on the market, they do sell.

The only con opinion I heard about the galley up was that being higher on the vessel would perhaps cause for more concern in the galley with wave action with the center of gravity and its effects on cooking and dealing with galley duties while underway. Not sure if that is sure and its all on what the owners like about their 501. But being lower on the first deck I would think would cause less movement than being higher on the vessel...

biminijimini

Hi I also have a 501 galley up no problems with cooking under way. Do you have the bunk beds in bow or a queen? I haven't seen one with a queen in bow. thanks gemba

I know this is an old thread, but we are looking at getting a CC 501, wife loves the layout, or a Hatteras 52 MY. I am very aware of the Hatteras ability as a blue water boat, but does anyone have input on the seaworthiness of the CC501?