...The Corsair 36 is perfectly appointed to steal attention in a package as beautiful as crown jewels — a sum approaching the amount you'll need to cover the list price of $350K. For a boater who can swing the cost, though, there's plenty on board to make it worthwhile.

...First, all the stainless steel is of 316-grade metal, chrome-plated and polished. Upon installation, Chris-Craft technicians align the chrome-plated stainless-steel screws in the same direction. And the top-shelf HK Research gelcoat matches the chrome's shine.

...Consider cleats the deck jewels; they're adorned with the Chris-Craft logo. The teak is hand-fitted and sanded to a satiny finish. There's lots of it, too — from the platform through the cockpit and on the deck.

...Woodworking is a hallmark of this upscale dayboat. Belowdecks, where the V-berth and aft berth sleep four, we found galley cabinets made of fine-grained cherry veneer over birch plywood (not fragile particle board). Steps are made of maple, and hardwood flooring is available for the cabin. A granicoat countertop and sink with corian lids, microwave and refrigerator are standard.

...Chris-Craft paid attention to the comfort details, but we were even more impressed with the maintenance details. Every cockpit compartment drains overboard, including under-seat compartments — which we doubt would get water in them anyway. Instead of burying the battery switches in the bilge, requiring the effort of operating the lift to access it, Chris-Craft put the battery switches and circuit breakers under the bench seat right behind the captain's chair. That makes it easy to power up and zip away from the dock.

...One of the first things boaters usually have to do after purchasing a new boat is equip it with an anchor, line and chain. Not on our test boat. It was factory equipped with a stainless-steel spade anchor and chain along with 200 feet of rope, all set and easy to deploy with the remote-controlled windlass.

...Handling the Corsair 36 was a breeze using the U-Flex control with digital friction cables and power steering. Our test waters were calm, but we quickly spun the Corsair into wakeboard double-ups and then raced back over them at bruising speed — bruising to the waves, anyway. The hull and components were solid enough to make us think of the Bahamas' West End or Chub Cay or maybe Block Island ... maybe even on the crummiest day.

...Buyers will want to take friends — lots of them — on outings. The cockpit comfortably handles 10, and there's an icemaker and fridge topside for quick refreshments. Run some rum blockades and crack a bottle open when you get to port. That's the Corsair's spirit!

NOTABLE FEATURES
• Fiberglass head compartment is extremely generous in size and comfort

• Every locker and compartment drains overboard

• The anchor locker is equipped with a stainless-steel plough anchor and windlass, all concealed beneath a hatch

• Battery switches and waterproof circuit breakers are easily accessed in the cockpit under the seating

• Colors are available in fade-resistant, high-luster gelcoats

QUICK STATS
Length Overall: 39'5"
Beam: 12'6"
Dry Weight: 16,500 lb.
Seat/Weight Cap.: Yacht Certified
Fuel Cap.: 286 gal.
Max. HP: 850
NMMA Certified: Yes
MSRP (test boat): $350,000

TEST DRIVE
Test Engine: Twin Volvo 8.1 GXi DuoProp
Test Props: F 4
Test Load: People (650 lb.); Fuel (215 gal.)
Top Speed: 46.9 MPH @ 4,900 RPM
Time to Plane: 4.0 sec.
Time to 30 MPH: 8.6 sec.
Min. Plane: 22 MPH @ 3,000 RPM

RPM / MPH / SOUND LEVEL
Idle / 3.9 / 66 db
1,000 / 6.2 / 70 db
1,500 / 8.1 / 77 db
2,000 / 10.2 / 80 db
2,500 / 15.0 / 79 db
3,000 / 22.5 / 82 db
3,500 / 29.9 / 80 db
4,000 / 36.4 / 83 db
4,500 / 41.0 / 84 db
4,900 / 46.9 / 84 db

Originally Published: May 2005 © 2005 World Publications, LLC

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