The Last Stingers & Scorpions...
 

What was the very last model year that Chris Craft Stingers & Scorpions were made?? What lengths/sizes did they come in??

Did they cancel the series due to lack of interest, sales and the economy??

Any possibility of a Chirs Craft high performance offshore boat comeback someday??

Re: The Last Stingers & Scorpions...
 

I have seen 21' scorpions (scorpion 210), 22' stingers (Stinger222), 26' stingers and scorpions (260 series), 312 Stingers, 375 Stingers, and 39s. Could be more.

The line became less of a priority after Murray bought the company around 87 or so. This is off the top of my head. Then OMC bought CC from Murray. I think that's the order. Then OMC came out with the FICHT or something outboard and it ended up sucking bad. Bad business calls and bad outboards kicked the OMC version's azz until they went bankrupt with OMC in the late ninties/early 2000... can't remember. Then these two dudes bought CC around 2000 or something. They came out with a few new models (which I really like. They are all cool. But not go-fasts.) Some smallish launches and a sweet 43 foot roamer. Ugly for a sport boat. Gorgeous for a cruiser.

Do some web searches on "Murray Chris Craft." "Christopher Smith." "Chris Craft Algonac"

I don't see them doing perf boats ever again. They went back to their roots.

I have a 1987 Stinger260 which I believe exemplifies the very soul of the classic deep-V. The lines are among the finest of any Don A ripoff that ever left a mold.

People walk past 200k Cigs to come look at my 16k stinger. Something about the lines.

Anyway... they were still always somehow out of context for the hundred plus year old Chris Craft brand. I understand how they went back to their roots. Makes sense.

But I am glad that they experimented in high perf for a moment in time. Boat for boat... nothing turns a head like a well kept stinger.

Re: The Last Stingers & Scorpions...
 

Let's have a group HooRaaa for Stingers,...can't wait to get my done.

Re: The Last Stingers & Scorpions...
 

I think Murray had the company back in 80 or 81 ,It was there idea to get into the high performance game.

Re: The Last Stingers & Scorpions...
 

Oh yeah... I love my 86 222 :D My dream "in a few years" 1985 312 with a factory arch :cool:

Re: The Last Stingers & Scorpions...
 

Mine is a 1989 312 Stinger. Have not seen any newer than mine. What happends to all the molds???

Re: The Last Stingers & Scorpions...
 

I looked alot before I bought mine, I don't recall any model year newer than 1989.

The 260s, 312s, (311 center console and there was a 316 in there somewhere too), and 390s all seemed to be based on the same design - the flat deck. Then they introduced the 375 (38') and 415 (42') in 1988 and those were different; more rounded. They changed the 375 to the 385 in 1989. (I'm not sure if it was 1' longer or just a number change.) The 375 was listed as a 38' boat, but that included the molded-in swim platform, which was new for that model. The 390x is a 39', which is really about 3' longer than the 375 measured to the transom. A much longer cabin. The 375, 385, & 415 had a 9' beam and are pretty heavy. I bet you can get a 390 to go much faster than a 375.

The economy was HORRIBLE in 88 & 89 and no one could sell a new boat to save their life. I think that's why you see more of the 88s but very few 89s.

The guys that bought the Chris Craft name are the same ones that revitalized the itialian Riva (HUGE $$$$).

Re: The Last Stingers & Scorpions...
 

I just got a 1986 222 stinger about two weeks ago. I got it for a good price but it needs a complete rebuild.

Re: The Last Stingers & Scorpions...
 

economy was horrible in lates 90s fer boats. my dad was offered 3 new top guns from factory for 110 grand each with 425s. we boght the 375 brand new as a bank repo in 1991 for 55grand

Re: The Last Stingers & Scorpions...
 

1989 was the end of the scorpions and stingers. All that was offered that last year for Stingers was 26.....312, 313 in ctr consoled only...33,38, 41 and the Fitipauldi model all red, think it was offered on the 33 & 38. On the scorpions there was 20, 21 but they were fat cuddy cabins, the 26 look just like the stinger with a diffent cockpit and it had a single BB with a bravo I. They also had 22 and 24 ft LTD's witch were sport boats.I had and 89 scorpion and these are from my Brochure.

Re: The Last Stingers & Scorpions...
 

Was there a 311 Stinger in the early to mid 80'? Was there a 311 or 321 "Competition" Stinger?

Re: The Last Stingers & Scorpions...
 

I got a 1990 complete brochure with my Limited. It has a 334 Stinger in it , but I have yet to see one.

Re: The Last Stingers & Scorpions...
 

You might be referring to the (Emerson) Fittipaldi (Special) Edition Stinger...I think it was made for only one or two years.
I believe it came only in red...anyone know for sure? Did it have gold stripes or accents? Any PICS?

Re: The Last Stingers & Scorpions...
 

I dont remember it saying anything about Emerson Fittipaldi in the ad. It was about 4 years ago that I saw it, dont have any pictures of it, but I remember the words "competition" were blue on a white hull

Re: The Last Stingers & Scorpions...
 

All the Fittipaldi's were red that I've ever seen, and all the accents was in black.

Re: The Last Stingers & Scorpions...
 

Here's a Fitipaldi from northeast Ohio

Re: The Last Stingers & Scorpions...
 

2 more pics

Re: The Last Stingers & Scorpions...
 

I have a 86 230 stinger , It needs some work but were looking forward to useing it this summer for the first time. Any one have pictures of a 230 ?

Re: The Last Stingers & Scorpions...
 

Would love to find one of these, instead of just in a brochure. An 89 334 Fittipaldi. OOOH YEAAHHH!

Check out "Tequila Sunrise" with Mel Gibson, there's a Fitipaldi in that movie!

There is a 41' Stinger all red w/ black trim on Lake Hartwell SC. I have talked w/ the owner a few times, he said it is a 92 euro edition, might have said Fitapaldi. The most unique thing was it had no windshield just a small flip up plexiglass section for the driver. It also has a significant raised section molded into the hull where the windshield would be, kind'a like a Baja. The whole design resembled an 89 Pachanga.

Look close at the Fitapaldi above, the windshield is painted on!

I have an 87 Stinger (at least that what the ownership says?) but there is a red "SCORPION" sticker on both sides of the boat???
It is a 260 series boat and has the four hatches, two per side, for the cuddy with a single roof hatch.

What is the definitive difference between a Scorpion and a Stinger?

On another note I saw a guy pull into Port Dalhousie a few days ago with a 230. He definitely had a big block in it as I have a good ear. I don't know if that was dealer installed or done by the owner? We never had a chance to chat...
Did the later 230's ever come with a BB and thru-hull stainless?

My 222 Stinger came with a factory BBC and thru transom stainless.Only one in Australia i believe.

I have a 1981 21' Scorpion with a 350 that has been on a trailer in storage for two yrs that I cannot use. Probably need to get rid of it as I only have one lift. Anyone interested, I can provide you with the details.

312 Stinger
 

I have a 312 Stinger for sale if anyone is interested. Good clean rebuilt everything boat

Where are you located? Send pics and details to [email protected]
tnx...

I have got an original bbc with alpha, I think the only one in michigan ( lake st. clair).I have only seen 1 other 222 and that was on a trailer 3 years ago . Sorry take that back there was 1 at the famous jobbienooner at the end of the year, all stock with a small block. see 202 stinger a lot of bigger ones not alot of the small ones. Will get pics on here sdooner or later, sorry

My old 230 limited -87 with 454/330 and bravo.

38 stinger,hartwell
 

hey guys, The last yr was 38 ft with a extra 3 ft build in swim platform making if a tad over 41 ft and 9 ft wide. see my picture on jokerswild posting. great boat. mine was a e p edition and was red white black. updated now. They also used a form coring system and a vacum bagging settup according to cc racing history site. I have all the info and and mine weights 10287 pounds full with 210 gallons of gas, light considering the size and beam..

Can i see some Stinger 222's pics if there's any out there.I saw one in Hotboat a few years back with a Blown BBC that ran 100.

Hey Carl,

I think there maybe a 312 in NSW a few years back. I got word of it around 2005.

here is one

chris craft stinger 26
 

hello i have a 26 stinger 1989 with twins 5.7 liter and alpha drives and i might need some information on performance to get a few miles per hour/i was getting 55 mph at 4700 rpm with a 21p prop and the guy that did my engines told me that since i put hydralic roller cam and i did a little bit of head work ,that i could easily run 5600 rpm and the engines will spin that with no problem but i will have to step down to a 19p prop.
please someone help me decide.

26 ft stinger
 

i have more pictures of cabin and new engines coming to u guys
this motors are only turning 4500 rpm with a 21p prop.
t
my mechanic told me that this motors could easily turn 5500 rpm cause the are roller cams so i would have to step down to a 19p prop
what do you guys think?

We built the stinger 222 you saw in hot boat,one sick ride,Blown intercooled 468 no expense spared,show quality everything,my customer loved that boat ended up giving it to his son,i think he has it stored in a warehouse somewhere,will try to scan and post some pics i know i don
't have any digital pics,was a few years back

Hey that would be great.I think it was red and black.Do you remember the HP it had?Eddito without knowing what's actually in your engines,specs etc it's hard to judge where you should be running them.Were they ever Dynoed?If they are the standard issue Merc motors with roller cams i would suggest 5000 rpm limit.If you are at 4500 now 19's should get about 5200 which is acceptable.

Do you have a link to the CC racing history site? I tried finding it but no luck

Thanks

what is the deal with the early stinger called the "99's" Like the first boats out of the molds?

Hello, I just bought a 1985 260 stinger. 2 yamaha outboards, I like how it runs, but now it needs some work on the cabin and floor. Need advice