![]() We used this boat approx 2-3 weeks a year until about 1995 and then was used very little for the next 26 years but was kept in our garage under cover. New upholstery and complete new varnish in 2021. In addition a center mount auto bilge pump was installed. The chrome which is complete was re-chromed professionally the same year. The engine was completely rebuilt with new crankshaft, pistons, gaskets, seals, etc and modernized with the addition of a 12 volt electrical system, oil filter, oil pressure safety switch, electric fuel pump. This boat "Putt Putt"was purchased by me in 1990 and went through an extensive restoration at that time that included a complete new West System Epoxy encapsulated marine plywood bottom to make it lighter and non-soak so it could be trailered easily. To our knowledge, the boat has had two previous owners on Lake Tahoe since it was moved from Seattle. We purchased the boat 19 years ago in 2004 and have always kept the boat at Lake Tahoe. Life jackets, dock lines and a full custom-made cover are included. All gauges are correct and working, there are (2) working fire extinguishers, one modern and the other period correct. The engine currently has about 150 to 200 hours on it since the rebuild. The boat has the original 6v electrical system, a refurbished fuel tank and all chrome hardware is in excellent condition. The boat was refurbished in 2015 with a rebuilt 95hp Model K Hercules engine along with a new fiberglass bottom, new pigskin color upholstery, sides refastened with new stain and varnish on all wood. The boat was built using the finest Philippine mahogany and the graceful lines have made the “Barrel Back” a much-desired Chris Craft model for generations of wooden boat enthusiasts. Commonly referred to as a “Barrel Back” because the boat’s semi-circle transom looks like a floating barrel in the water when viewed from the stern. Chris Craft Deluxe Runabout, delivered to Seattle Washington in July of 1940., Chris Craft built only 425 17ft. The details had clearly been set and then reset by Riva and his team.1940 17ft. The transom was sloped to allow easy access to the water. Wicker drink trays were built into the backs of the forward seats, and a beautiful sunpad was designed over the engines. I know it’s over-hyping it, but I have to say my day aboard Gala-probably because I knew so much about Aquarama’s history-was one of my most memorable days on the water after 30 years of testing boats.īeyond the beautiful, varnished wood and chrome work, features like the bow anchor locker, with a clever self-retrieving anchor system, and the soft canvas top had a huge spring inside to make it easy to raise and lower the canvas when it started to rain. I had the helm a few hours but let the captain dock it, as the mahogany finish was flawless and I didn’t want to leave any scratches. There was a sense of grace and performance, especially considering its age, that I hadn’t felt before. When the hull slapped it was a much softer sound than fiberglass. It was such an enjoyable boat to drive, turning sharp with the twin engines. The hull had been designed for ocean running-after Riva had been chided by a longtime friend for building “lake boats.”Ĭarlo Riva’s creation is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its launch in August. And the side throttles were also modeled on a car to make it more intuitive for new owners who were not necessarily boaters. ![]() The oversized steering wheel felt perfect for a boat that would’ve been compared to a Cadillac or Lincoln in its day. The hand-built wooden hulls were built on a production line like cars for quality control and timely delivery.Īt the dock, Gala had a stately presence, with pinstripes on the light-colored mahogany foredeck, a beautiful reddish-tinted hull, gleaming chrome, and a wraparound automotive-style windshield which was radical for the day. Riva had decided early on to model the Aquarama after the finest luxury cars with throaty American marine engines ( Gala had twin 320 hp Rivas, which were modified Crusaders). Unlike most boats, the helm is on the left side. Owned by Ferretti Group CEO Alberto Galassi, Gala was a stunning wooden boat, with ivory-colored upholstery, a Calax-style steering wheel inspired by a 1958 Chrysler 300, and side throttles. The boat was meticulously crafted from wood.
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