Full text description of Our 1968 Commander 42

Systems Information

Main propulsion: 427 Ford (300hp each @ 4000rpm; ~700 hours on both)

Generator: 6.5kw Kohler

Air Conditioning: 16kBTU reverse cycle (heat & cold) in galley/salon; 10kBTU cooling in the v-berth/salon; and 8kBTU reverse cycle in aft stateroom

Electrical, AC: One 250/50 amp shore power connector on the port side, one decommissioned 120v/30 amp shore power connector on the starboard side, original AC meters. The breaker panel was upgraded in 2012 to the most recent ABYC standard from the original configuration (a single 120v/30a shore power cord).

Electrical, DC: Three Group 31 and one 4D 12-volt batteries power the 12v system, including port engine start, both heads, three bilge pumps (one Jabsco diaphragm pump and two Rule 2000 pumps, the highest is the 'alarm pump' at midships between the engines that sets off a helm alarm and flashing light if it comes on), and all interior DC lighting. The 12v system is charged by a Magnum inverter/charger in the storage space below the galley. Starboard engine and Kohler generator start are both powered by a single Group 31 battery with its own smart charger. A battery parallel switch at the helm allows you to combine both battery banks for engine start.

Fresh water: two 40-gallon water tanks, one under the aft cabin mattress frame and the other behind the aft stateroom bulkhead; 12-gallon hot water heater, and a 12v variable speed Jabsco pressure pump and 2-gallon pressure tank.

Black water: Two 25-gallon holding tanks are siamesed together in the storage space under the galley, with a single stainless pumpout fitting serving both on the starboard side deck. Both toilets are connected to the tank via short sections of sanitary hose, the rest of the plumbing is odor-impervious 1.5” PVC pipe. This boat has ZERO toilet odor problems.

Living Spaces, Bow to Stern

The V-berth is is the furthest point forward. It features two bunks on either side, with a shelf above each and two drawers between. The spaces under the bunks have been fully insulated. Each bunk has its own original 12v light. The original deck hatch opens for ventilation and features a sliding screen. There is one hanging locker and two storage lockers. The boat has a spare set of new propellers in the storage locker under the port bunk.

The forward head is on the port side, two steps down from the galley. It features the original 1968 counters and sink in golden sable, nautical-themed wallpaper, and a 12v TMM head with a Panasonic bidet/heated seat. There is ample storage in the cabinets under and above the sink.

The galley is adequately sized and easy to use. The stove has been upgraded from electric to propane, with the LPG tank located inside a locker near the helm seat. The stove has a stylish stainless steel backsplash that doesn’t clash with the original golden sable counters.

The Danby refrigerator was new in 2011, highly efficient and functioning perfectly; the bottom freezer is a nice feature.

Below the galley is the air conditioning/storage compartment, which is also where the holding tanks are located.

The salon is finished in Chris Craft faux teak. Chris Craft’s marketing department determined that yacht owners increasingly wanted “maintenance free” surfaces like what Hatteras, Bertram, and other manufacturers were offering, and the faux teak fit the bill.

Aft of the salon and down three steps is the aft cabin, which was altered from the original “Ozzy and Harriet” bed configuration to a single queen-size mattress. The two fuel tanks have been moved centerline under the bed. There is a closet, ample shelving and several drawers. Lighting in the aft cabin is outstanding because there are no portholes—the windows extend all around the ceiling on three of the four walls.

The aft head features the original 1968 counters and sink in golden sable, original nautical themed wall paper, a new faucet (2012), a new (2018) 12v TMM head with a Panasonic bidet/heated seat. There is ample storage in the cabinets under the sink, and a full-size shower is next to the toilet and just one step down.

Up above, the helm station is original. The center windshield opens manually, so it’s very easy to ventilate the helm area. Wipers are original electric units. There is a new Horizon marine VHF radio and depth sounder.

The side and bow decks are solid fiberglass. The teak toe rail has been refinished (2012) in gloss Cetol, which is now degraded and needs to be refinished. The forward windows in the galley have been fitted with insulated panels of Sunbrella material, which are securely held in place with snaps and are easily removed. The Sunbrella window coverings attach with snaps to side awnings that keep direct sunlight off the salon and galley windows and side decks. They make a huge difference in temperature inside the boat during summer.

The bow deck has a wonderful seating area built in, so it’s legal to “bow ride” even in highly restrictive Washington, DC. There is an appropriately sized Danforth anchor on a roller pulpit and 150’ of 3/4" nylon rode. The navigation lights are all original Chris Craft parts in heavy bronze (no pressed tin Perko stuff here), and they work as intended.