Chris Craft was present at the Cannes Yachting Festival with the Commander 42, the largest model of its range. This first model of the Commander âeuros range which will be joined by the Commander 36 and the Commander 52 in 2017 âeuros is 12.80 m long and marks the return of the American brand on the small cruising market. The Commanders were classically styled cruisers that appeared in the 1960s and were the brand's top-of-the-line boats.
The Commander 42 is an open cruiser with a new design reminiscent of a lobster boat (typical Maine lobster fishing boat). A design that totally corresponds to the classic style of Chris Craft, since the shipyard has managed to use the lines of a historical boat to bring its touch of modernity.
The Commander 42's distinguishing feature is its dual cockpit, one open at the rear and one in place of the saloon, under the hardtop, which can be closed with an optional sliding door. Both cockpits have large bench seats, including a U-shaped bench in the closed cockpit. The port side cockpit has a pilot and co-pilot seat.
On the starboard side, there is a small equipped kitchen (sink, refrigerator, microwave, electric plate). The boat also has all the entertainment and comfort equipment that one would like to have on board such as a television, a Bluetooth stereo system or speakers, as well as a large sunbathing area in the bow.
Below deck, the Commander 42 can comfortably sleep 5 people. The master cabin is located at the front of the boat, with a separate shower room. A second cabin with a double bed and a single bed is located in the center. The wood finishes (teak on the deck and bulwarks or mahogany flooring in the night area) give the boat a traditional look.
The Commander 42 will have two Volvo IPS 600 D6 engines with 435 hp that will bring some maneuverability to the boat.
Zoom on the Lobster boat
Lobster boats were northeastern U.S. workboats (typical of the Maine coast) used by fishermen to set their lobster traps and were structurally adapted to their mission. They are characterized by a semi-displacement hull with a scroll running from the stern to the raised bow. The upper part of the hull at the bow is flared and higher than at the stern, while the freeboards decrease in height towards the stern to be able to recover the traps.
Technical specifications of the Commander 42
| Overall length | 42 feet (12.80 m) |
| Hull length | 41 feet (12.50 m) |
| Max. width | 12.99 feet (3.96 m) |
| Draft | 1,18 m |
| Full load displacement | 15 tons |
| Number of people | 12 |
| Water tank | 400 L |
| Fuel tank | 1 500 L |
| Black water tank | 110 L |
| Design category | A |
