1963 Chris-Craft Constellation - CHRIS-CRAFT FOR SALE

1963 Chris-Craft Constellation MV Ataraxia — 1963 52’ Chris-Craft Constellation

Asking Price: $89,995

Categories: Classic Motor Yacht, Flybridge, Liveaboard, Wooden Yacht, Coastal Cruiser, Aft Cabin, Vintage Yacht

Overview

Seek true calm on the water aboard MV Ataraxia, a 52-foot Chris-Craft Constellation named for the Greek ideal of serene composure. Purpose-built for the quiet bays and passages of the Pacific Northwest, this classic motor yacht blends elegance, comfort, and capability. Kept under cover in fresh water for nearly its entire life, Ataraxia has been carefully maintained and includes a Lake Union moorage with coveted liveaboard status that can be grandfathered to the next owner.

Key Features

• Elevated Flybridge: Added helm and seating area deliver commanding views, confident handling, and shelter for the aft deck with an enclosure.
• Extensive Post-2018 Enhancements: Major refit work, including a fully refreshed galley and refined salon.
• Liveaboard Privilege: Lake Union slip with transferable liveaboard designation—a rare and desirable benefit.
• Roomy and Refined: Sleeps 6 in berths plus 2 on a convertible salon sofa; living spaces restored and upgraded for everyday comfort.

Specifications

• Dimensions: LOA 52’, Beam 13’9”, Draft 7’8”
• Tonnage: Gross 39, Net 27
• Hull: Mahogany plank-on-frame with silicon-bronze fastenings
• Performance: Approx. 12 knots top, 9 knots cruise
• Main Engines: Twin Detroit Diesel 6-71s (270 HP each), heat exchanger/wet exhaust
• Reduction Gears: Allison Marine Gear M20, 2:1 ratio
• Generator: Onan 8.0MDKD, 8 kW, diesel
• Fuel: 400 gallons (2 tanks)
• Fresh Water: 100 gallons (1 tank)
• Waste: Two 30-gallon head tanks; Hot Water: 18 gallons (110V)

Accommodations

• Staterooms: King in the master; mid-ship twins (2); V-berth twins (2)
• Additional Berth: Salon sofa converts to a double
• Heads/Showers: Two heads, two showers
• Galley (2019): New refrigerator, freezer, microwave, restored original stovetop/oven, and double sink—paired with upgraded counters and tasteful mahogany trim

Recent Improvements & Upgrades (Over $40,000 since 2018)

• Deck & Hull: Foredeck stripped, re-caulked, re-fastened, and varnished; comprehensive hull work to uphold structural integrity and finish
• Interior Renewal: Galley and salon reimagined with new appliances, counters, sink, lighting, and refinished mahogany
• Plumbing & Electrical: New holding tanks, new hot water heater, and sweeping electrical updates for reliability and safety
• Machinery Care: Proactive service on mains and generator to ensure dependable cruising
• Tender: 11’ Boston Whaler included for shore runs and exploring

Detailed Upgrades List

• Deck & Exterior: Multiple fresh varnish coats on the foredeck; new antifouling below the waterline; corrective structural work to preserve seaworthiness
• Galley & Salon: Removal of obsolete refrigeration; installation of modern refrigerator/freezer; full functional and cosmetic refresh to elevate daily living afloat
• Mechanical & Electrical: Stainless bracket installed for fuel tank security; new batteries for all systems (2023); keel shoe fastenings addressed and tightened
• Comfort & Safety: New 50” TV, VHF, upgraded hot water heater, and improved heating systems for cozy year-round liveaboard use

A timeless wooden yacht with modern comforts, MV Ataraxia offers the romance of a heritage cruiser with the practicality of a capable liveaboard, ideal for graceful adventures throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Description

1963 Chris-Craft Constellation. MV Ataraxia — a 1963 52’ Chris Craft Constellation that lives up to its name, drawn from the Greek ideal of inner peace, by delivering quiet confidence and classic elegance on the water. Asking Price: $89,995. Purpose-built for the serene waterways of the Pacific Northwest, Ataraxia has spent nearly all of her life moored under cover in fresh water and arrives with a rare mooring slip on Lake Union that includes liveaboard status which can be grandfathered to the new owner. A stylish flying bridge has been added to elevate sightlines, command, and guest capacity while also enabling an enclosure for the back deck, ensuring year-round enjoyment.

Meticulous stewardship since 2018 accounts for over $40,000 in thoughtful upgrades. The galley was completely remodeled in 2019 with a new refrigerator, freezer, microwave, a beautifully restored original stovetop/oven, and a double sink, while the salon was refinished to showcase warm mahogany and inviting textures. Sleeping arrangements are generous and flexible: a main stateroom with a king, a mid-ship cabin with two twins, a V-berth with two twins, and a salon sofa that converts to a double bed. Two heads and two showers enhance liveaboard comfort, and heating and air conditioning ensure an agreeable onboard climate in all seasons.

Under the varnished mahogany skin lies enduring Chris-Craft craftsmanship. Specifications include dimensions of Length 52’ OA, Beam 13.9’, and Draft 7.8’, with a tonnage of Gross 39 and Net 27. The hull is mahogany plank on frame with silicon-bronze fastenings, maintained for structural integrity. Performance is dependable and efficient with a top speed of 12 knots and an easy 9 knots for cruising, delivered by twin Detroit 671 diesels (270 HP, six cylinders, heat exchanger/wet exhaust) turning through Allison Marine Gear M20 reduction gears with a 2:1 ratio. An Onan 8.0MDKD diesel generator supplies 8 KW of auxiliary power. Tankage is generous for extended stays: fuel capacity of 400 gallons in two tanks, fresh water of 100 gallons in one tank, and head tank capacity of 30 gallons in two tanks, with hot water at 18 gallons (110 V).

Recent improvements underscore the boat’s readiness. The foredeck was sanded, recaulked, refastened, and brought to a deep gloss with multiple coats of varnish, while the hull received comprehensive attention below the waterline including new anti-fouling paint. Inside, the galley and salon were overhauled with new appliances, countertops, a new sink, and refinished mahogany trim, creating a refined and functional living environment. Plumbing and electrical systems benefited from new holding tanks, a new hot water heater, and broad electrical upgrades, including new batteries for all systems in 2023. In the engine room, conscientious maintenance of the main engines and auxiliary power reinforces reliability; mechanical refinements include a new stainless steel bracket improving fuel tank stability and repairs to loose fastenings on the keel shoe. Comfort and safety were further elevated with a new 50” TV, VHF radio, updated heating systems, and thoughtful creature comforts throughout. Adding versatility, the sale includes an 11’ Boston Whaler tender, perfect for shore trips and exploring quiet coves. Altogether, MV Ataraxia is a beautifully preserved classic with modern upgrades, secure moorage with liveaboard privileges, and the ready poise to wander the Pacific Northwest in style.

Other details

The Company presents these particulars in good faith but does not guarantee or warrant their accuracy, nor the vessel’s condition. Buyers are urged to instruct their agents or surveyors to investigate any details they wish to have verified. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.

Features

Thoughtfully outfitted for comfortable cruising and effortless living aboard, this yacht features a shore power inlet for reliable dockside energy; a well-appointed electronics suite with wind speed and direction, a TV set, a navigation center, a radio, a compass, and GPS; and inviting interior amenities including a dishwasher, oven, microwave oven, air conditioning, heating, and a refrigerator, creating a refined and easygoing onboard experience.

Propulsion

Power comes from two inboard Detroit 671 diesel engines, each rated at 270 hp, delivering the dependable thrust and cadence that made this model a legend. Engine 1 shows 3149 hours; Engine 2 shows 3222 hours. Both are inboard diesel installations, matched for smooth running and enduring service.

Specifications

Dimensions are purposeful and seaworthy, with a length overall of 52 ft and a beam of 13.75 ft, yielding the right blend of interior volume and dockside agility. Accommodations comprise 1 cabin complemented by 2 heads, balancing privacy with practical utility for extended stays aboard.