1965 Chris Craft Cavalier

1965 Chris-Craft Cavalier 18' Custom Ski Boat - $15,000
Includes Trailer
ShoreStation Lift & Canopy Available - $5000
Contact Mike via text at 614-595-6666 or email [email protected]
This is a rare opportunity to own an exceptionally well-documented 1965 Chris-Craft Cavalier 18' Custom Ski Boat (Hull #VUD180046C), No. 46 of only 60 produced in the 1965 model year. Powered by its original 185 HP Chris-Craft 283 cubic-inch V8 (Engine #838084), the boat remains true to its heritage while benefiting from thoughtful upgrades that make it reliable and enjoyable on today's waters.

Built at Chris-Craft's Cadillac, Michigan, facility, the boat was delivered to E.J. Wendt Boats & Motors in Richmond, Illinois, on April 20, 1965, and soon became part of the one family's summers on northern Illinois' Chain O' Lakes. For the next 55 years, it taught three generations to waterski on Fox Lake and became the backdrop for countless family memories. During the COVID shutdown, a son and grandson thoughtfully restored the boat before I became its next steward in October 2021, bringing it to south-central Michigan.

Now named "Mojo Risin'", the boat has continued to receive careful maintenance and tasteful updates, including: Pertronix electronic ignition and coil, repacked prop shaft stuffing box, new seawater impellers, bilge blower and ventilation system, custom wooden bow burgee mast, period-correct chrome vents and rear-view mirror.  All gauges and navigation lights function properly, with only the tachometer requiring calibration.
Included with the sale are the original Chris-Craft build sheet, the original owner's manual, and the original engine operation manual.

This is an honest, well-maintained driver-quality classic—not concours, but exceptionally clean, mechanically sound, and ready to enjoy immediately, exactly as Chris-Craft intended. It is 100% turnkey, starts immediately, runs beautifully, and consistently draws compliments wherever it goes. GPS-verified top speed is approximately 38 MPH, although I've always preferred to cruise rather than push her.
My favorite features are the beautifully finished mahogany center console and, of course, the unmistakable sound of the original small-block V8. We've enjoyed five wonderful summers with this boat, but mobility issues mean it's time for another family to create memories of their own.
Included with the boat: custom fitted cover, boat trailer with new trailer wiring and tail lamps, modified trailer tongue (2” ball hitch) for standard-depth garage storage, Bearing Buddy wheel bearing protectors.  Everything needed to launch and enjoy immediately, i.e.: custom paddle / boat hook, anchor, life jackets, dock lines, fenders, and boarding ladder.  

ShoreStation Lift Available
I would prefer to sell the ShoreStation lift and canopy with the boat since it has been customized specifically for this hull. The lift has been recently serviced and includes a Boat Lift Buddy 12-volt electric lift assist, complete with a new battery and solar charging panel.

About the 1965 Cavalier Custom Ski
The mid-1960s Cavalier Custom Ski occupies a unique place in Chris-Craft history. While many manufacturers were transitioning to fiberglass construction, Chris-Craft continued building these boats with rugged mahogany hulls, adding vividly colored hull finishes and marine-vinyl-covered decks to reduce maintenance while preserving the warmth and craftsmanship of wood construction.  Powered by a Chevrolet-based small-block V8 and Paragon direct-drive transmission, the Cavalier earned a reputation as one of the "hot rods" of its era. The Custom Ski model featured bucket seats and a
center console, making it both sporty and practical.  With only 60 examples built in 1965, these boats are seldom offered for sale—especially examples with known ownership history, original documentation, and a reputation for being enjoyed rather than hidden away.
If you're looking for a concours showpiece, this probably isn't your boat. But if you want a rare, honest, beautifully maintained Chris-Craft that you can launch today and enjoy for years to come, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better example. 

Michigan title for both boat and trailer in hand.