Chris Craft Stinger 222
 

Hey guys, it's time again. Last time I posted I was asking about a '86 Chris Craft Stinger 26 footer w/twin 350's, the feedback was greatly appreciated, and I used your advice to hold off on the purchase of that one. Now you may think I'm a glutton for punishment but, here it is. I am looking at the purchase of a '86 Chris Craft Stinger 222 w/single 454, Alpha-one (with heavy duty gears?), and thru-hull exhaust. She has a center helm, with three seats across (with fold-up bolsters), forward and down on the port side, a cuddy with v-berth and two facing seats. Aft and over the back of the gunell to gunell three seats is the padded motor cover which has two pull-outs on each side of the motor compartment, that when removed offer two individual seats, (Is anybody following this?) The upholstery is original and suprisingly clean. Is anyone familiar with this model? Was it a production boat? What kind of speed and handling could I expect? Do they put H.D. gears in Alpha's? Are there any precautions I should consider? Thank you for your help in advance. Ray :)

Good friends of mine had one for a couple of years. Red hull, black fairing. Ran out well with the 350/Alpha they had. BUT, those back seats are NO PLACE to ride if the water is at all rough. Trust me, been there, done that, got the bruises to prove it. It is a good hull, but I just have a big problem with big blocks in front of Alpha drives. Even if it has "heavy duty gears" in it, you will torch it at some point. My boat had an alpha when I bought it, one season, two blown drives, bought a used Bravo.

Waterfoul, Thanks for your input, this is an interesting old boat, your friends had the center helm? Did you get it behind the wheel? and if you did, did it handle like a run-a-bout or more like a short off-shore? Ray

Yup. Center steering and yes I did take the wheel a time or two. I'd say a small offshore.....call it a sport boat I guess. Not a runabout by anymeans.

Didnt that guy who started that "other" site have one and he put like 6 or 700hp in front of it and it was totally undriveable and he ended up putting the stock 330 back in and selling it??? just a thought, if you were planning on a big build up..........Doug

Ray , Thats a cool set up We looked at that when we were buying our boat 22 was a little tight for us and the three across seating was not made for hanging out. We bought a 1988 Chris Craft 245 limited with a 7.4 and a bravo Tons of room great ride. It,s for sale if you know someone

AFAIK he still has the big motor in it. It is for sale with a stock 330 however. According to the owner it is eminently drivable until you get into the lower 80s then the chine walk becomes too much to handle.

Ray, How much work is involved to replace the alpha with a bravo? Sos marine has put some big power in front of alpha drives with good success but the boats were light hulls. Let's go look at this boat and after the purchase I'll tow it home for you! From the e-mailed pictures it looks great. Doug

Again, Thanks for your come backs. There has to be one of these still making it out on to the water, don't you think? Please keep the info commin. Ray

Alpha to Bravo swaps is really quite easy. All you really need to do is drill two extra holes for mounting bolts. X-dimensions are the same believe it or not. You will also need to add the block mounted raw water pump (the alpha has the water pump in the lower unit, the Bravo does not). So you need the pump, belt, and bracket. You may also need a different crank pully if it does not have the slot for the water pump. With a used Bravo assembly, I did the whole thing for just under $2000 installed (this was 7 years ago, I did not do it myself, though now I could as I have learned a lot since then).

You guys might have a good idea there. And for the money that I can get this one for, an out-drive swap wouldn't make her a hole in the water that I couldn't swim out of. It's only other draw back is the race style seating, I believe that's the only reason she's still available. Thanks again. Ray

hey raymond, just curious about the 26 chris stinger you mentioned in your first post on this thread. what was your season for not buying it,. the only reason i ask is i just bought one a few weks ago. wondering if thers somthing i should know about these models. the one i purchased is a one owner low hour 86 in real solid shape, very dry stringers and wood. anyway . .like i said, just curious , thanks :cool:

do you have a link to the original thread, was it in gen.discusion?

A friend of mine used to own a Stinger. He had a 350 Mag for power. His too was red - extremely dull and faded. Other than paint, boat was in good shape. He did however eat an outdrive. He repaired it and ran it for about four more years with no mechanical trouble. Had a bad feeling 'bout the drive when he sold it though :confused: If this boat is at the right price where upgrading to a Bravo is still cost effective - go for it. Drive it until this one blows then replace w/ Bravo (unless maybe a working Alpha is worth something).

My only hang up with the Stinger is the layout. Most of our "boating" involves rafting and drinking beer all day. Interior is not "hang out" friendly at all.

If you are not prepared to do something with the outdrive, this boat is not for you. With 330hp you WILL burn a drive. "Heavy Duty Gears" ..............."Alpha" -Yeah right :eek:

Glassdave, if you search from the main menu, by user name: RaymondAAndrade, you'll find some good and not so good comments from a thread started by my good freind 27 Daytona. Enjoy that boat, I think she's a beauty! Ray

CJC, this old chris is mostly white, with some black, grey, and red. From what I am told and can see in extensive e-mail photos she is a sweet 16 year old, for under 10k. Your right, it dosen't look walk-a-round freindly, but can I pass this up? Ray

thanks 401k. . . i did that just after i posted on here. got some good info from here. i actually put up the same question a few months ago when i first started looking at the stinger. i was aware of a possible structural problem so i looked at that very closley. being expierianced in this area i was not to worried about that. :D the boat i purchased has had an easy life though. i got it from the original owner an it has a bit less than 400 hrs and only really needs cockpit upholstry. ( course im puttin a fat graphics job on it this winter anyway :cool: ) picked it up for 6K on a trailer an its mechanically perfect. seemed like a decent deal.
i do hafta say that for a 26 ft boat this thing has a TON of room on it. i really like the layout. any body have any idea what this thing listed at new? i heard mid 40's :confused: