2024 Chris-Craft 150th Anniversary Launch 27

Boat Reviews

Boat Review by: Richard Crowder

The byline says it all - “America’s Boatbuilder Since 1874.” And if you do the math, it means that this iconic pleasure boat builder in 2024 is celebrating its 150th anniversary. To help celebrate the milestone, some of Chris-Craft’s most iconic, recognizable, and signature design elements have come together in this gorgeous outfitted 150th Anniversary Launch 27.

The sleek and classic memorable design touches of the Launch 27 include a reverse transom, flared bow, slight tumblehome toward the stern on the hull sides, copious use of polished teak, and stainless steel trim inside and out. The windshield frame is solid polished stainless steel with rounded corners and no extended side wings. On the starboard side foredeck sits the classic pair of polished trumpet horns.

The Launch 27 is a big runabout bowrider day boat with rated seating capacity for 10 persons. Through the centre opening windshield section and a protective hinged wind door, the plush bow seating offers substantial side bolstering throughout, including on the forward faces of the two consoles to accommodate forward-facing stretch-out lounging. Molded storage is provided beneath all bow seating.

A teak foredeck trim section with Chris-Craft logo inlay includes an access hatch to the anchor locker with its thru-stem anchoring hardware. An electric anchor windlass with polished stainless steel anchor and your choice of rope or chain is optionally available. The signature Chris-Craft polished deck-mounted bow navigation light with pennant mast and pennant is, of course, standard equipment, as is a polished bow scuff plate.

The symmetrical unobstructed U-shaped cockpit seating/lounging of the Launch 27 is perhaps one of its most visible and inviting features. Slanted backrests aft of the helm and front passenger bucket seats on both sides provide aft-facing stretch-out lounging, while the upholstered seating continues aft and across the stern to create one large U-shaped lounge. And the sides cum backrests of this lounge are surrounding full-height from the seat cushions to the gunwales. The resulting impression of the fully upholstered and padded cockpit is one of inviting luxury.

Storage is found beneath the seat cushions of this U-shaped lounge area, except in the centre port side section which houses a standard drawer refrigerator. The slanted backrests of this lounge aft of the bucket helm and passenger seats are hinged to provide access within these backrests for dedicated vertical fender storage. Clever!

Standard teak trim adds to the look of luxury. Cockpit steps are of teak as is the helm footrest, bucket seat inserts, and the engine hatch centre walk-over. Even the stainless steel beverage holders have teak mounting accenting. A classy-looking high-back swivel adjustable bucket seat with diamond pattern stitching and flip-up forward bolster is provided for both the driver and the port side passenger. A classy polished stainless steel armrest cum grab rail extends from the seat base to loop right up and over the seat.

The driver is coddled with a tilting mahogany-rimmed steering wheel with three stainless steel spokes and a centre hub with a Chris-Craft logo which is weighted to rotate to always remain right side up and readable. The custom silver perforated dash panel features a Chris-Craft branded digital instrument cluster flanking a centre-mounted Garmin 7” multifunction touchscreen display with chartplotter and depth sounder. A remote control for the Bluetooth-enabled Fusion stereo with MP3/USB inputs is also dash-mounted. Speakers are from JL Audio.

An in-floor storage locker between the helm bucket seats provides dedicated storage for the standard carry-on cooler while a second in-floor locker further forward is large enough for watersports accessories such as waterskis and wakeboards. Within the passenger console is a head and changeroom compartment with lockable door, making it an ideal place to temporarily store valuables. A toilet, sink, and vanity are included.

A removable cushion is provided to fill in the engine compartment centre teak walk-over section thus creating a stern sunpad or chaise lounge. Storage compartments are found beneath the electrically powered engine hatch cover and dedicated storage is provided there for the bimini top. A convertible top is optionally available. An automatic fire extinguishing system is standard equipment, as is a battery charger, transom shower, and transom ski tow.

The sizeable swim platform is beautifully integrated into the overall design and provides a starboard underside mounted three-step telescoping boarding ladder. Gorgeous stainless steel and teak-accented grab handle assists are provided in handy spots. As per heritage and tradition, a port side gunnel-mounted stainless steel flagpole is provided.

Perhaps the most unusual, yet very expensive and commendable, piece of standard equipment is the Seakeeper Ride Vessel Attitude Control System™ (VACS). This system automatically enhances stability when underway and optimizes the boat’s running angle at any speed. Choose your speed by choosing your engine which includes four choices from either Mercury or Volvo from 300 to 430 horsepower with either B3 (Bravo 3 dual propellers) with DPS (Digital Throttle and Shift), or DP (Duo-Prop) with FWC (Fresh Water Cooling) and EVC (Electronic Vessel Control) respectively.

Along with choosing from various selection of boot stripe, hull side, and interior upholstery colours, you will need to choose the basic Heritage Trim Edition or go all out for the full Heritage Edition. The former provides, along with the teak accenting already mentioned throughout the above including the teak engine hatch walk-over, teak accenting throughout, and aft grab rails, it also includes teak gunwale covering boards and teak swim platform cover. To all of this, the full Heritage Edition includes full teak flooring throughout the Launch 27. Woven Seagrass flooring is optionally available if you do not want teak flooring.

Other notable available optional equipment includes full teak engine hatch covering to which you may then add a removable sunpad. A teak cockpit table is available as are underwater lights. You may also want LED bow docking lights, four weighted pillows, a 12-volt air compressor with dedicated storage, fender clips, a Premium audio system, SiriusXM® satellite radio, cockpit and bow canvas covers, and/or a full mooring cover.

When you are done choosing your 150th Anniversary Launch 27 enhancements, you will have at your hand one of the most beautiful and modern yet classic-looking bowrider runabout day boats on the water today. Onlookers will gaze upon it in awe while you savour it with pride.

2024 Chris-Craft Launch 27 Photo Gallery

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