LITTLE BEAR" is the English translation, according to our owner, of the name "Bernadette".
This boat was completed in 1987 by the Grand Craft Corporation. It was built to operate
on Lake Tahoe for Mr. Grant Deary of West Sacramento, California. The hull is a
replica of a 1930 Chris Craft model 103 mahogany runabout, commonly referred to
nowadays as an "upswept deck" design. It was built to specifications developed by Chris
Smith (grandson of Christopher Columbus Smith, founder of Chris Craft by Macatawa
Bay Boat Works in the1980's, precisely duplicating the structural features and design
details of early Chris Craft runabouts. The engine, however, is vastly more powerful than
anything available in 1930. It is a 340 cubic inch Chrysler Marine V-8 specified by Mr.
Deary for unimpaired performance at Lake Tahoe's high elevation.
Mr. Deary enjoyed the boat on Lake Tahoe for only a short time before i t sank while
unattended at a mooring. The boat was promptly raised the next day. Its engine was
immediately "pickled" by Sierra Boat Co., Inc. to arrest any incipient deterioration from
immersion in the lake's pristine water. The boat then went into dry enclosed storage for
approximately ten years pending settlement of the insurance claim and a decision o n its
ultimate disposition. During that time Mr. Deary passed away and the boat came into the
custody of his heirs. The present owner, Jim Sweeney, discovered the boat for sale at
Dana Phillips' Classic Marine facility in Sacramento in January of 2002. A deal was
closed for purchase and restoration. Classic Marine proceeded to reconstruct the bottom
using the WEST system of epoxy bonded and encapsulated marine plywood in order to
preclude repetition of the sinking incident.
The hull underwent a five-month "keel-up" restoration. The engine, shafting, and all
other equipment were removed and the hull was inverted for replacement of the original
antiquated planked bottom with a WEST marine plywood/epoxy structure below the
waterline. The standard Chris Craft plank and batten on frame mahogany structure above
the waterline was thoroughly inspected and determined to be in excellent condition (no
split wood, loose fasteners, or dry rot, and so it was retained intact.
During reconstruction it was decided to upgrade the boat's underwater lines to
improve safety and performance. The 1930 Chris Craft design features a keel that
is completely straight in profile. This shape was faithfully duplicated during
construction of the 1987 replica. However, it proved to be unsuited to the powerful
modern V-8 engine. The hull was susceptible to instability (it could "porpoise") at
speed. Grand Craft attempted to protect itself from the resulting liability by
installing a warning plate stating that the boat should not be operated below
altitudes of 6,000 feet. This was unacceptable to Jim Sweeney and so it was decided
to correct the fundamental deficiency by altering the bottom configuration. The
original straight keel shape was modified to a graduated curve in order to develop a
"rocker"profile. The revised bottom shape effectively updated the hull to a modern
high performance design. In addition, a reverse chine was added along the forward
portion of the hull to assist in deflecting spray. Both of these features were proven
during full speed trials on Folsom Lake and subsequent full speed operations under
a wide variety of wind and wave conditions on Lake Tahoe, Bass Lake, Clear Lake,
and the California Delta. The boat is highly stable and dry. It will not "porpoise"
under any condition, and all but the most persistent spray is deflected away from
passengers.
A new mahogany transom was installed to replace the damaged original. The bottom and the boat's trailer
were painted traditional forest greenwith white boot topping. The deck seams were painted white and the
entire deck andtransom were sanded and finished in high gloss.
A new electric horn was purchased and installed on a new mahogany pad on the fore
deck. The original Ivalite searchlight, navigation lights, flagstaffs, tilting windshield,
deck and interior chrome plated hardware were cleaned and reinstalled. The steering
system, ignition, and all dash instrumentation were and tested operational. A new
manual/automatic bilge pump was installed. All three cockpits were given new black
rubber deck matting. All upholstery was replaced with new foam rubber cushions and
forest green vinyl in a classic period "tuck and roll" pattern. Original ground tackle was
reinstalled below the fore deck hatch. Art deco "Broadway" font gold and black
registration numbers and transom lettering were purchased and applied for the boat's new
name "LITTLE BEAR." A pair of stainless steel handrails
were added over the engine compartment to increase personnel safety while passing
across a potentially wet, slippery deck. The forward cockpit mahogany "roll top" console
was refurbished to restore operation of the AM/FM radio and stereo tape deck. All four
sound speakers in the hull were replaced.
The boat's 340 cubic inch Chrysler Marine V-8 engine and 40 gallon stainless steel fuel
tank were inspected and found in excellent condition. The engine ignition system was
tuned up, fluid levels refilled, and everything verified operational. All engine and hull
piping and wiring systems were checked out, a new Morse forward/reverse throttle
control installed, new batteries and a spare propeller purchased, and the propeller shatt,
coupling, stern tube/gland packing, strut bearing, rudder and rudder stuffing box were
reinstalled to fit the modified bottom. A new fuel filter, hull valve for engine raw water
intake, engine compartment fume detector, and exhaust fan were purchased and installed.
The complete restoration/reconstruction project was finished in June o f 2002 and the
owner took possession of the boat following successful performance trials. Initial
operations established that the Chrysler Marine V-8 engine had barely been "broken in".
LITTLE BEAR was home ported at Tahoe Keys and dry-stored off season at Sierra Boat
Co., Inc. Sierra Boat has provided ongoing maintenance and repair services to the
engine, hull, and propeller as required.
LITTLE BEAR has performed flawlessly, and is a frequent participant in Antique and
Classic Boat Society, Tahoe Yacht Club, and Classic Yacht Association events, notably
the Tahoe Keys Wooden Boat Show, Tahoe Yacht Club Concours d'Elegance, Clear
Lake "Wood and Glory", Bass Lake Rendezvous, the California Delta Champagne
Classic, and the Marin Yacht Club Classic Yacht and Car Show.
LITTLE BEAR successfully combines classic runabout design details and workmanship
with modern reliable power, hull construction techniques, and hydrodynamics.
