The Chris-Craft semi-enclosed was a popular model offered in 26 to 30 foot versions. Commonly known as a day cruiser, the words “semi-enclosed” differentiated the cabin part of this boat. It did not have a door or a bulkhead between the inner and outer portions of this boat. This created a free flow cabin area to the aft deck. As a result, it became a great lake and utility style cruiser – and was one of the popular and successful designs Chris-Craft had in the 1950’s. The Grace B was originally acquired by her current owners in 1955, at Minnetonka Boat Works in Wayzata.

It was, and still is, used as the primary form of transportation on Lake Vermillion between the mainland and this family’s property, which is landlocked by the Superior National Forest. The Grace B. came to Mahogany Bay for a complete restoration in 1997. Our charge was to make sure that she remained dependable until at least the year 2035. She was still beautiful, but showing her age. To begin, we basically disassembled her in order to study her completely. We replaced approximately half the bottom. Engines were rebuilt, canvas was stretched for the cabin roof, and mahogany was replaced wherever necessary. We researched and re-created the original Chris-Craft blue “Tolex” upholstery material and then added red and white candy stripe canvas bolsters and sun matresses. The original fir cockpit sole was stripped and bleached, all the instruments were rebuilt, and we fitted her with all new wiring. The roof, (a favorite place for many of the family’s kids and grandkids utilized as a sundeck) was reconstructed with a carbon fiber beam in order to support extra weight.

We’re particularly proud of this project. It’s now 11 years since the restoration and we’ve delivered Grace B. every spring to Lake Vermillion, picked her up in the fall, continued to maintain her over the winter and we have yet to have one day where the boat hasn’t performed. That’s a tall order, since the family uses her daily from the beginning of May until the end of October. Grace B has become part of the fabric of this Lake Vermillion retreat. And every generation has a story about her.

The Grace B is a twin engine boat, powered by two 239 cubic inch, 105 horsepower flathead Chris-Craft 6 cylinder Model KL engines. It’s configured in a fashion that allows for captain and companion seats underneath the cabin roof. The enclosed cabin in front of the helm features a small port-a-potty and storage closet, with a window hatch which opens to the foredeck. In the semi-enclosed cabin is a dinette table with seats that face each other on the port side, with a sink and original “ice-box” that we converted to electric refrigeration. The insulated engine boxes are above the cockpit sole aft, with pads on top that provide another seating area. Across the transom is a full seat running the width of the boat offering plenty of room for passengers, kids, luggage and family pets.