Amelia Jean is a classic 1947 Chris-Craft 18' Deluxe Utility Boat (Hull Number U-18-267), powered by a 92-horsepower Chrysler Ace Marine Engine (S-M6 - Engine #15270). Between 1947 and 1954, Chris-Craft produced 1,186 boats of this hull type, though the exact number remaining today is unknown.

Currently, Amelia Jean is undergoing a meticulous restoration at the award-winning Lowell Boats in Greensboro, NC. Follow her journey and see the craftsmanship in action HERE.

Gary Lowell, the master boatbuilder behind the project, has recently been featured in both O.Henry Magazine and Woody Boater—be sure to check it out!

Although not all details of Amelia Jean’s past are known, the following is well-documented. Originally shipped to Marine Sports, Inc. in Syracuse, New York, on July 31, 1947, Amelia Jean is believed to have spent the majority of her life navigating the freshwater rivers and lakes of New York State. Most recently, she was purchased at auction during the 2021 Antique Boat Museum Show & Auction in Clayton, New York.

The 1947 Chris-Craft Deluxe Utility Boat represents a distinctive model year, notable for several reasons. In 1947, Chris-Craft resumed constructing the majority of their boats from mahogany, following years of wartime shortages and supply chain disruptions that necessitated the use of cedar during and after World War II. Originally, Amelia Jean featured a combination of both mahogany and cedar—her hull and decking were crafted from mahogany, while her bottom (below the waterline) was constructed from cedar. During restoration, her planking and decking—both in excellent condition—will remain the original mahogany, while her new bottom will be made from Sapele, a durable and rot-resistant hardwood commonly known as African mahogany.

Powering Amelia Jean is the iconic Chrysler Ace Marine Engine (Model M6), a hallmark of this specific model year and exclusively featured in Chris-Craft boats built in 1947. The engine currently installed is a rebuilt Chrysler Ace Marine Engine (S-M6 - Engine #15270), sourced from a 1947 Chris-Craft Rocket, another vessel that originally hailed from the Thousand Islands region of upstate New York.

The Deluxe Utility model remains one of Chris-Craft’s most popular and sought-after boats, cherished by collectors and enthusiasts alike.