"A ship in harbour is safe, but that's not what ships are built for". - John A. Shedd
1972 XK22 Chris Craft | Hull No. ORAZ-22 0102V | 22'-9" | 7'-8" beam | 2'-10" draft | 3300 lbs | AQ255a
This boat new cost twice what a 1972 Chevy Corvette cost, it has more horse power, weighs 200 lbs less with seating for 6! - hear the engine run here -...
I had ALL the dealer brochures, price schedules
and accessories in awesome condition, these may be the only ones in existance,
the pictures should be all framed!
..... below iphone pic from Aug 24 2012 
Above is a real nice original, it's not mine BUT mine will be a looker
The XK-22, by the way, has the Jim Wynne designed deep V hull of "GHOST RIDER" offshore racing fame. Jim is the patent holder (he passed away in 1990) of the lifting strake. Chris Craft hired Jim to design the Lancer, XK-19, Commander SS, Commander 23, and XK-22 hulls, and as a result they all got the lifting strakes. Dick Avery did the styling of the upper decks and interior. http://www.chris-craft.org/discussion/viewtopic.php?p=5173&sid=4ff029d9e9ec6c417e3fb4b17c541281
This interesting photo shows Jim Wynne driving Ghost Rider coming into the dock while looking back into the cockpit of the boat. His riding mechanic broke both ankles in the race and wedged himself into the cockpit and told Jim to continue on. They won the Cowes Torquay race that day. Bolsters to hold the riding crew were a thing of the future only to be hoped for.
The Thunderbird was the first boat to introduce gas turbine (jet) engines to the world of performance boating. This footage is from the 1966 Sam Griffith Memorial Race: a grueling 172-mile open ocean competition from Miami to Bimini and back. Out of 30 boats competing, some sank and others turned back. Only 2 boats were able to complete the race. In first place was the Thunderbird, finishing an entire 70 miles ahead of the only other boat to complete the race. The Thunderbird's crew is made up of Hal Hartmann, Jim Wynne and Walt Walters. For more information on Hornet Marine heritage, visit www.hornetmarine.com
Last revised: May 2015