1978 Chris Craft Commander

Flybridge Motor Yacht
       

"No Regrets" has provided Kathee and I a home for almost ten years. During this time we have escaped the real world and cruised off to adventures and fun that has helped us maintain our sense of humor... something not easily done in today's world.

Above left, "No Regrets" rafted next to a friends 53' Hatteras. The Chris Craft 45 is a big boat. It weighs about 20 tons. You can see the dinghy with a 9.9 HP Yamaha 4-stroke on back.

 

Above right, here is a video of Kathee navigating the Channel going into the Tchefuncte River. It was a beautiful night. This is one of the many happy times we have enjoyed with the boat.

 

At right, the 1st mate cleaning the cushions that are on the bow. This is a great place to ride, or catch a nap at anchor. The foredeck is a party area all it's own. The boat has so many places to hang out. If you like plenty of guests you will seldom feel crowded.

The aft deck is the social area at dock and at anchor. Roomy, but sheltered from the sun or weather. During winter, two small space heaters keep the whole area warm - even in below freezing temperatures.

 

There is a wet bar with refrigerator on the port side. This is an enjoyable place to run the boat from as it kind of keeps the Captain in the middle of things and out of the weather. Personally, I prefer to run the boat from the flybridge because of the visibility. The Furuno Radar can be easily moved to either the upper or lower station, it is wired for both.

At left, the 1st mate and "No Regrets" at anchor.

 

Below, the main salon. The galley, dinette, and living area are all in one room. We chose this layout because we enjoy each others company and don't want to spend our time being separated. I watch ball games and she prepares munchies. The stove is electric with top burners and an oven. Additionally, there is a microwave oven installed over the sink.

 

The couch folds out into a king size bed whenever you want to load up with overnight guests. Each compartment - aft stateroom, main salon, forward stateroom - have separate a/c and heating units.

 

From this view you can see the stairs going up to the aft deck, and the stairway to the aft stateroom.

"No Regrets" is powered by twin 8V71N Detroit Diesels. These are the original engines with about 3,000 hours on them. Below right, the three a/c units. Everything on the boat is easy to get to, with enough room to perform maintenance and repairs without taking stuff apart.

 

This view shows the television and stereo. The boat is wired for cable and we use direct TV for all the important stuff like SEC Football and NASCAR. In the center of the forward bulkhead you can see the entrance to the forward stateroom. On the right you can see the dinette. The coffee table is a hi-lo table that expands to a dining table also.

I included this photo to give you an indication of the size of the boat. It is very roomy, and makes an ideal livaboard. Other than washing and waxing the exterior, the only routine maintenance is the canvas, teak swim platform and the railings surrounding the aft deck. I usually re-varnish the railings every few years. The boat has been kept under a shed, but the sun manages to get the railings on the starboard side.

   

Above is a good shot of the galley area. Usually there are just the two of us on board. On many occasions we have enjoyed another couple, and several times two couples. We have never felt crowded at all. Of course, at night when the couch is unfolded moving through the salon is not as easy as normal.

 

At left is a video taken from a friends boat. "No Regrets" won't come to a full plane with full fuel. Of course, none of the 45's would. If you're running 200-250 gallons it pops right up. Just won't do it with full tanks.

A view of the starboard side showing the dinette area. The end of the cabinet folds down, so you have plenty of room for four. When we have more guests we bring in two chairs from the aft deck, unfold the coffee table and have room to seat eight comfortably. Below right, a view looking down to the aft cabin.
   

No problem getting a good nights sleep on board. Also, there is plenty of storage space with three closets and eight drawers and two cabinets. There is a TV that is on the cable system also. The master stateroom has a shower and head. Below left, the DC (12 volt) panel. It is located on the starboard side of the lower helm.

Another thing we like about this floor plan is the forward stateroom. It has plenty of room and the bunk is big enough for two. It also has an upper bunk for one. All the way forward is the guest head along with a shower. This layout is very good for cruising with another couple. Both staterooms are separated by the salon, and each has their own heating and a/c units. The stairs are easily removed for access to the engine room. Below right, the A/C panel.

Below left, In September we had to have the boat Surveyed to re-new our insurance. Here is a video of "No Regrets" being pulled out of the water for an inspection. Everything was ok and the bottom paint will be good for at least another year, so we cleaned the bottom and put it back in the water. Below right, the Garmin GPS indicating 16 knots at 2,000 rpm.

There is a lot of room on the flybridge. Wrap around seating provides a comfortable place to ride and a really good view. Controls are duplicated at the upper and lower stations. There are two VHF radios, one lower, one upper. Same for depth guages. Below left, looking aft from about mid-way of the engine room. You can go from one end to the other without getting a spot of grease on you. Below right, Christmas on board. I can't begin to tell you the good times we have had onboard "No Regrets".

Below, we have kept "No Regrets" under cover for the past eight years. The floating docks have worked well through Hurricane's Katrina, Ike, and Gustav. The only thing we lost was the welcome mat.

 

This is an ideal livaboard. It is a wonderful cruising boat - although not as fast as the newer boats, but much more comfortable. It will cruise very economically (for a travelling condo) at 10 knots and about a mile a gallon.

cvillar@communitymtg.com