1987 Grand Triple Cockpit Runabout

LITTLE BEAR" is the English translation, according to our owner, of the name "Bernadette".

This boat was completed in 1987 by the Grand Craft Corporation. It was built to operate

on Lake Tahoe for Mr. Grant Deary of West Sacramento, California. The hull is a

replica of a 1930 Chris Craft model 103 mahogany runabout, commonly referred to

nowadays as an "upswept deck" design. It was built to specifications developed by Chris

Smith (grandson of Christopher Columbus Smith, founder of Chris Craft by Macatawa

Bay Boat Works in the1980's, precisely duplicating the structural features and design

details of early Chris Craft runabouts. The engine, however, is vastly more powerful than

anything available in 1930. It is a 340 cubic inch Chrysler Marine V-8 specified by Mr.

Deary for unimpaired performance at Lake Tahoe's high elevation.

Mr. Deary enjoyed the boat on Lake Tahoe for only a short time before i t sank while

unattended at a mooring. The boat was promptly raised the next day. Its engine was

immediately "pickled" by Sierra Boat Co., Inc. to arrest any incipient deterioration from

immersion in the lake's pristine water. The boat then went into dry enclosed storage for

approximately ten years pending settlement of the insurance claim and a decision o n its

ultimate disposition. During that time Mr. Deary passed away and the boat came into the

custody of his heirs. The present owner, Jim Sweeney, discovered the boat for sale at

Dana Phillips' Classic Marine facility in Sacramento in January of 2002. A deal was

closed for purchase and restoration. Classic Marine proceeded to reconstruct the bottom

using the WEST system of epoxy bonded and encapsulated marine plywood in order to

preclude repetition of the sinking incident.

The hull underwent a five-month "keel-up" restoration. The engine, shafting, and all

other equipment were removed and the hull was inverted for replacement of the original

antiquated planked bottom with a WEST marine plywood/epoxy structure below the

waterline. The standard Chris Craft plank and batten on frame mahogany structure above

the waterline was thoroughly inspected and determined to be in excellent condition (no

split wood, loose fasteners, or dry rot, and so it was retained intact.

During reconstruction it was decided to upgrade the boat's underwater lines to

improve safety and performance. The 1930 Chris Craft design features a keel that

is completely straight in profile. This shape was faithfully duplicated during

construction of the 1987 replica. However, it proved to be unsuited to the powerful

modern V-8 engine. The hull was susceptible to instability (it could "porpoise") at

speed. Grand Craft attempted to protect itself from the resulting liability by

installing a warning plate stating that the boat should not be operated below

altitudes of 6,000 feet. This was unacceptable to Jim Sweeney and so it was decided

to correct the fundamental deficiency by altering the bottom configuration. The

original straight keel shape was modified to a graduated curve in order to develop a

"rocker"profile. The revised bottom shape effectively updated the hull to a modern

high performance design. In addition, a reverse chine was added along the forward

portion of the hull to assist in deflecting spray. Both of these features were proven

during full speed trials on Folsom Lake and subsequent full speed operations under

a wide variety of wind and wave conditions on Lake Tahoe, Bass Lake, Clear Lake,

and the California Delta. The boat is highly stable and dry. It will not "porpoise"

under any condition, and all but the most persistent spray is deflected away from

passengers.

A new mahogany transom was installed to replace the damaged original. The bottom and the boat's trailer

were painted traditional forest greenwith white boot topping. The deck seams were painted white and the

entire deck andtransom were sanded and finished in high gloss.

A new electric horn was purchased and installed on a new mahogany pad on the fore

deck. The original Ivalite searchlight, navigation lights, flagstaffs, tilting windshield,

deck and interior chrome plated hardware were cleaned and reinstalled. The steering

system, ignition, and all dash instrumentation were and tested operational. A new

manual/automatic bilge pump was installed. All three cockpits were given new black

rubber deck matting. All upholstery was replaced with new foam rubber cushions and

forest green vinyl in a classic period "tuck and roll" pattern. Original ground tackle was

reinstalled below the fore deck hatch. Art deco "Broadway" font gold and black

registration numbers and transom lettering were purchased and applied for the boat's new

name "LITTLE BEAR." A pair of stainless steel handrails

were added over the engine compartment to increase personnel safety while passing

across a potentially wet, slippery deck. The forward cockpit mahogany "roll top" console

was refurbished to restore operation of the AM/FM radio and stereo tape deck. All four

sound speakers in the hull were replaced.

The boat's 340 cubic inch Chrysler Marine V-8 engine and 40 gallon stainless steel fuel

tank were inspected and found in excellent condition. The engine ignition system was

tuned up, fluid levels refilled, and everything verified operational. All engine and hull

piping and wiring systems were checked out, a new Morse forward/reverse throttle

control installed, new batteries and a spare propeller purchased, and the propeller shatt,

coupling, stern tube/gland packing, strut bearing, rudder and rudder stuffing box were

reinstalled to fit the modified bottom. A new fuel filter, hull valve for engine raw water

intake, engine compartment fume detector, and exhaust fan were purchased and installed.

The complete restoration/reconstruction project was finished in June o f 2002 and the

owner took possession of the boat following successful performance trials. Initial

operations established that the Chrysler Marine V-8 engine had barely been "broken in".

LITTLE BEAR was home ported at Tahoe Keys and dry-stored off season at Sierra Boat

Co., Inc. Sierra Boat has provided ongoing maintenance and repair services to the

engine, hull, and propeller as required.

LITTLE BEAR has performed flawlessly, and is a frequent participant in Antique and

Classic Boat Society, Tahoe Yacht Club, and Classic Yacht Association events, notably

the Tahoe Keys Wooden Boat Show, Tahoe Yacht Club Concours d'Elegance, Clear

Lake "Wood and Glory", Bass Lake Rendezvous, the California Delta Champagne

Classic, and the Marin Yacht Club Classic Yacht and Car Show.

LITTLE BEAR successfully combines classic runabout design details and workmanship

with modern reliable power, hull construction techniques, and hydrodynamics.