Does anyone own a small Roamer (especially the 25 footers or less)

trusert · Aug 13, 2013

Another 50 year old Silver Comet hull RDX 27-203

It took from October 2011 till July 2013 to get ready for her birthday party but it was well worth it!

Rapple · Aug 13, 2013

Very impressive. I think my boat has a twin.
Anyone else? Show us what you've got.

wrecktreker · Sep 30, 2013

1962 Comet

In August motored from Cedarville Mi, to the North Channel in Canada, 270 mile round trip. Purred like a Kitten, got a lot of attention, Had a great time..

Rapple · Oct 5, 2013

She looks wonderful. Keep the photos coming everyone. It would be interesting to find out how many Comets are still out there. I will keep track and report back if everyone else wants to weigh in. Rap

trusert · Oct 5, 2013

September 6, 2013 on the way to the Niagara Frontier Antique and Classic boat show.

wrecktreker · Oct 21, 2013

Trusert, Is the hardtop on your boat factory? It appears to be the perfect size would like to add one to my boat. Is there anyway I could get the width and length of it.
Thanks
Wrecktreker

trusert · Oct 22, 2013

Wrecktreker- Yes it is a factory hardtop, the same as Rapple's. I'll take some measurements this weekend.

trusert · Oct 30, 2013

Wrecktreker- The hardtop is roughly 80" long by 88" wide

wrecktreker · Oct 30, 2013

Hardtop

trusert said: ↑

Wrecktreker- The hardtop is roughly 80" long by 88" wide
Click to expand...

Trusert, Thank You, That will give me an idea what to look for..

Wrecktreker

alloyed2sea · Nov 28, 2013

Comet Patrol

Alrite all you heavenly gazers, here's the latest reporting on where all the Comets have landed according to the "List of Know Survivors" - which I've been working on recently. Plenty of discrepancies and missing boats, but here are the facts:
1962s:
1962 Silver Comet RXB-27-0108R "Unknown" Unk
1962 Silver Comet RXB-27-01** No name Memphis, TN
1962 Silver Comet RXB-27-0159R "Jenamy Dawn" NavajoDam NM
1962 Silver Comet RXB-27-0*** "Schatzie IV" NFI
1962 Silver Comet RXB-27-*** "Patty D" Grove City, PA
1962 Silver Comet RXB-27-*** "No Name" Stillwater, MN
1962 Silver Comet RXB-27-*** No Name Oregon
1962 Silver Comet RXB?-27-109 "Unknown" Tacoma, WA,
1962 Silver Comet RSE-27-0127R "Wreck Roamer" NFI
1962 Silver Comet RXB-27-0139R "Stardust II" Algonac, MI
10 of 165 Silvers made in '62
1962 Custom Comet RXB-27-0502R No name Frankfort, KY
1962 Custom Comet RXB-27-0516R No name San Pedro, CA
1962 Custom Comet RXC-27-0517R ”Great Balls O’Fire” Wyandotte,MI
1962 Custom Comet RXC-27-5** "Kiki" Unk
1962 Custom Comet RXC-27-0519R "Sioux" Memphis YC, TN
5 of 30 Custom Comets made in '62
1963s:
1963 Silver Comet RXD-27-**** NFI Georgia
1963 Silver Comet RDX-27-0203R (sic)"Schwatzmeier" Grand Island, NY
1963 Silver Comet RDX-27-0207 NFI Green Bay, WI
3 of 5 Silvers made in '63
1963 Custom Comet RXE-27-6** "Osprey" Navarre, MN
1963 Custom Comet RXE-27-6** "Unknown" Michigan City, IN
2 of 20 Customs made in '63
TOTAL: (20) out of total of (220) Comets made.
We know there's alot more out there - keep those hull#'s and names coming.
Cheers!
-Eric

alloyed2sea · Nov 29, 2013

TMI_Comets

TMI = Too much information, eh?

COMETs/BY HULL#/Material: (analysis)
(220) Total: (170) SILVERs; (50) CUSTOMs

RXB-27-001 to RXB-27-165(1962): 165 - Essential Guide say RXB; most reporting theirs as RXC.
RXD-27-201 to RXD-27-205(1963): 5 – Essential Guide say RXD; almost everybody reporting theirs as RDX.
RXC-27-501 to RXC-27-530 (1962): 30
RXE-27-601 to RXE-27-620 (1963): 20

NOTE: Appearance-wise, the only difference between a Silver and Custom Comet is that the mast is metal and attached to the windshield on the former, wood and detached on the latter. Twin searchlites were an option on either.
Hull number nomenclature is proving very contradictatory, despite documentation provided by Conrad’s book.

SOURCE: Chris-Craft: The Essential Guide, Joseph Conrad, 2003.
SilverComet_28.page
CustomComet_28

Rapple · Dec 4, 2013

Comet Identification

I have tried to figure out which models are Silver and which are Customs. The anchor light mast seems to be the defining characteristic, although I have not been able to figure out if there is a difference between the small front cabin window versus the larger double window. 62 vs.63? Also, It would appear that the custom models have the aluminum stern railing vs. the stern wood enclosure, however I can not confirm. Has anyone seen the aluminum stern railing on any other Roamer with the exception of the Comet? I also wonder if the manual transmissions were an option vs. the hydraulic transmissions on either model or if this was exclusive to the 1963 models? Send your current info including year, serial #, front window type, stern railing type, transmission type and anchor light style and I will keep tabs. Ray aka Rapple

Travlinman1352 · Dec 8, 2013

The difference that I have found.

About two or three years ago I purchased a basket case '62 Custom Comet. It was only after I had made the purchase that i determined it to be the second one produced (RXC-27-502R), and I am unaware if RXC-27-501 still exist? I have researched and talked with many Comet owners researching the model but by no means am I an authority. These are the facts I have determined; The Custom and Silver Comet hull and interior design are identical. The only difference as previously discussed is the mast light and location (wood on the Custom and cabin mounted and aluminum on the Silver and windshield mounted). The aluminum aft rail was an early '62 Comet only piece (that I can determine). The small front cabin window was the design from early to mid year '62 and was changed in late '62 to the large window because of complaints by consumers that is was hard to see forward while in the cabin. As far as drive train, mine has twin 283's and hydraulic drives. I believe it was an option for manual or hydraulic drives in these models. Again I am not an expert and would encourage and appreciate anyone weighing in on this topic. Cheers and safe cruising!!!

As a side note, my Custom Comet is far from complete. I believe if the first Custom Comet built is not found or documented before her completion I will name her "Second to None".

trusert · Dec 9, 2013

I received this photo from the Chris Craft dealer that sold my Silver Comet to me in 1981 (see Schwatzmeier sn RDX-27-203 in this thread). Mine had the 3/4" plywood around the aft deck but it was in rough shape. We made a mahogany railing in the same configuration as the aluminum one on the Custom Comet. The wooden mast, bow rail and lifelines are original as are the 283's with manual transmissions.
My next door neighbor had a 1963 Custom Comet for many years but sold it about two years ago. His had the aluminum aft rail and bow rail, wooden mast, but no lifeline. It also had 283's with manual gears. I'm not sure of the serial number. Supposedly the broker sold the boat to someone in Russia.

Rapple · Dec 10, 2013

I think that the aluminum stern railing was exclusive to the Custom Comet, but this is based on what I have seen or heard. If any one has an original plywood railing that could be used for a pattern I would be interested in reproducing it. My Family has two more Silver comets to restore and we would like to have one that has the original paint scheme and railings as the 1962. Unfortunately, our originals on ours have gone missing prior to our purchase.
Please keep posting your serial numbers. I am keeping track and will post updates occasionally.

Rapple · Dec 10, 2013

KY Roamer and WreckTreker, Can you confirm a serial # for us. Thanks. Ray

alloyed2sea · Dec 13, 2013

Silvers

By far the bigger brother.
Very interesting point about the aluminum aft/stern railings - I WANT some!
Alot of this stuff aint written down, only I'm trying.
"Schwartzmeier" is truly a beauty - 'betcha therez others too.
283s are grand, dont know about the transmissions ("Chris-O-Matics)?.
RUSSIA?
Just imagine, cruising the river Don on an aMeririkanishe boatvanspiren, eh?
CHeers!
-Eric
"Tin Tonic"
ps - keep those hull#s coming.

trusert said: ↑

I received this photo from the Chris Craft dealer that sold my Silver Comet to me in 1981 (see Schwatzmeier sn RDX-27-203 in this thread). Mine had the 3/4" plywood around the aft deck but it was in rough shape. We made a mahogany railing in the same configuration as the aluminum one on the Custom Comet. The wooden mast, bow rail and lifelines are original as are the 283's with manual transmissions.
My next door neighbor had a 1963 Custom Comet for many years but sold it about two years ago. His had the aluminum aft rail and bow rail, wooden mast, but no lifeline. It also had 283's with manual gears. I'm not sure of the serial number. Supposedly the broker sold the boat to someone in Russia.
Click to expand...

wrecktreker · Dec 14, 2013

WreckRoamer

RXB 27 0127R

Currently in Grand Haven Michigan

Tag is from hatch cover

Wrecktreker

trusert · Dec 17, 2013

Correction

The hull number on my 1963 Silver is indeed "RXD". The registration is "RDX".
Please do not tell New York State DMV.

Thanks

K1W1 · Dec 18, 2013

trusert said: ↑

The hull number on my 1963 Silver is indeed "RXD". The registration is "RDX".
Please do not tell New York State DMV.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Hi,

I think you have have taken care of telling a lot more than a DMV Employee by posting that on an open forum.

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Does anyone own a small Roamer (especially the 25 footers or less)

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