20 Chris-Craft Runabout (1949) - SERENITY

When I bought a place in Carnelian Bay in 2014 I was stunned by the beauty and serenity of Lake Tahoe, it’s crystalline waters, pristine natural wonders imposing mountains and world-renowned slopes. It took me 6 years to realize that Sierra Boat, a full service wooden boat specialist since 1952 with a 120-slip marina, was just across the street. In one of my visits to their showroom I saw a ‘for sale’ ad and discovered a fully-restored eye-catcher with a flat nose. When you see, touch and feel for the first time a classic mahogany boat, you get an incredible sense of awe and irresistible drive to get into the water. After learning how to dock and undock (first-time boater) I started enjoying the smoothness of Serenity. Boating in Tahoe at slow speed, mindful of being gently rocked while able to reach with my hand into the cool waters became a daily chore, a sublime time of my day!

Serenity has all the glitzy features one could ever imagine in a classic runabout but isn’t awkward or overdone. The chrome, armor-like nose plate which caps the stainless cutwater looks wide enough to use as a shaving mirror. From this substantial plate, the blonde king planking begins its way back as it widens to encircle a bright red upholstered cockpit. On the aft deck it continues over the engine hatch, rear deck, and finally rolls over the sheer onto the first plank of a rounded transom. A folding windshield crowns a dazzling array of chrome which lays out, stem to stern. The heftiness of each piece adds to the impression of a well fortified and beautiful boat. Looking into the interior you notice the red sweep of padded and pleated coaming lining three quarters of cockpit and four-unit, five-instrument cluster on the 20′ Chris-Craft Custom. Storage compartments add utility to the back of the front seat. The seat bases, backs and cushions are luxuriously thick. You feel in a first class accommodation even by today’s standards. The Cadillac-style appointments made me think that Chris-Craft spared no expense in putting this model together. The overall look is flash with class and style… my boat for life!

‘Serenity’ has won numerous awards at shows in Oregon and Lake Tahoe, previously named ‘Viki G.’