SoCal Classic: Firecracker

In this feature, The Log looks at notable boats — sail and power — that continue to turn heads in Southern California harbors.

Boat name: Firecracker (replica of a 1929 28-foot Chris Craft Runabout)

Year Built: 2003

Length: 28 ft.

Draft: 2 ft.

Beam: 6 ft.

The project: In 2003, Mark Widder commissioned Grand-Craft Boats for a custom built replica of a 1929 28-foot Chris Craft Runabout. At the time, Grand-Craft was owned by Richard Sligh.

“We’ve never built a 28-foot double upswept, but if you give me a year I’ll build you one,” Sligh told Widder.

The boat was hand-built from Honduran mahogany by Grand-Craft Boats in Holland, Michigan.

“These are all built by hand, one piece of wood at a time,” Jeff Cavanagh, current owner of Grand-Craft, is reported as saying.

Grand-Craft Boats supplied Widder with monthly progress reports/photographs of the boat being constructed throughout the year.

“As far as I know, our boat is a ‘one off’ and they never did build another 28-foot triple cockpit,” Widder said.

The steering wheel is a vintage 1930s Banjo Wheel from an original boat. There is also an old vintage brass fire extinguisher onboard.

“Ranging in price from $120,000 to $1.5 million, Grand-Craft boats have been sold to celebrities such as Robert Redford, Jennifer Lopez, Tim Allen and Kid Rock,” The Holland Sentinel reported.

Why a replica: Mark Widder’s appreciation for wooden boats came from his upbringing. He grew up with an uncle who was a boat owner and a father who was always building something out of wood. His father’s jobs early in his career involved working as a wood pattern maker for aerospace companies. Widder’s uncle would take his family sailing on weekends to Catalina aboard a 1964 35-foot Ericson sailboat.

Widder and his wife considered an original boat but ultimately decided on a replica of a classic.

“Knowing we would be using our wood boat constantly (and in salt water), we thought otherwise [and decided] to commission a replica 1929 Chris Craft with modern big block fuel injected Chevy power and a West System bottom,” Widder told The Log. “Firecracker will top out at 48 knots on smooth water.”

The name: Widder, his wife, son and daughter all put suggested names for the boat in a hat. His son’s choice for the name Firecracker got picked.

“I was a bit apprehensive having any kind of name for a wood boat with the word ‘fire’ in it but in the 4th of July boat parade, it is the perfect name,” Widder stated.

Home Base: When Firecracker is not cruising around Newport Harbor, she is stored at the Lido Drystack in Cannery Village. Slipstream Marine Management in Costa Mesa services her and maintains her wood finish.

Award: Firecracker has been entered in numerous boat shows under the “replica class” category. She has won “Best Runabout” twice in the Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival.

(Mark Rightmire photo)

2 thoughts on “SoCal Classic: Firecracker

  • February 10, 2017 at 9:19 am
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    Nice article. BTW, there is no “k” in Ericson (Sailboats)

    Reply
    • February 10, 2017 at 10:14 am
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      Typo corrected. Thank you!

      Reply

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