Just recently i seem to have "procured" a 1972 35 Commander Express.
Found this neglected sad old girl just lying in state, so to speak in an old marina south of Detroit.
I guess every now and then we find ourselves in the perfect right place, at the perfect right time. It took quite a bit of legwork on my part, donning my "Sherlock Holmes" hat, but thru perseverance, i found the info i needed. As i sorta came to suspect, the owner had passed. The boat had not been in the wet since 2016 or so. Uncovered, outside storage in summer and fall, and thrown inside a building in winter.
The daughter and son in law of the deceased man were very elated to get the call from me a couple weeks ago. They were avid golfers, were absolutely NOT boaters and were tickled to finally find someone interested. Long story shortened, they gave me this boat for free.
They just wanted it gone out of their life. I gladly accepted. There was a known back storage bill at the marina however, and thru some negotiations and wheeling and dealing i was able to do some horse trading with them, as i am in the trucking business and they were in need of a few large loads of stones, gravels, and fill material for a seawall project, so once i get them their materials, the debt on past storage is square.
I have been working diligently the past couple weeks cleaning out this boat, filling a dumpster. Power washing many yrs of dirt, algae, and even inch thick moss growing out of window tracks, drip rails and many seams on the boat.; So far its cleaning up like a new penny. The boat is equipped with 2 x 427s and a Westerbeke genset. I have located the names of every past owner back to brand new and it has been a local Downriver Detroit boat since new.
Right now i am concentrating on cosmetics, once that is done i will graduate to the engines and mechanicals, hopefully launching by July 4th weekend. Two issues, or questions...... I am finding it impossible to locate the battery disconnect switches on this baby. In my past three Chris Crafts, they are easy to find, front and center. Not so on this 35 Express. I have searched diligently, to no avail Any ideas here guys???
And secondly, it has a FXAS prefix on the brass CC hull plate attached to the underside of the stbd engine hatch. Never have i seen a fourth letter in that prefix. I read in the brochures from 71 and 72 they offered a "Commander Special" option that was designed to include certain options that may be unique to one's geographic area. Is it possible the "S" denotes a "Special" model here...or ????
Here is a link to a YT vid i made a week ago before i even began to attack and clean this boat https://youtu.be/1I3OEzDKk4A
Any hints or advice on the location of the battery shutoffs would be really appreciated.
TIA.....
Scott Anderson
Past Chief Commander 2010-2011
Grosse Ile, Mich
Post a video if you have one , would love to see her underway :)