Little Lady

Little Lady is a 19’ 1939 Chris Craft Model 931 Custom Runabout. She was originally delivered to Syracuse, Indiana on June 14,1939. She is one of only 145 19’ barrel backs built that year and is one of fewer than fifty still surviving. Powered by the powerful 130 HP “M”, Little Lady can reach speeds approaching 40 mph. Restored to “factory new”, other amenities include the Bugatti folding windshields, Spanish Maroon leather and a marblized steering wheel.

Simply stated, Little Lady represents the finest craftsmanship and the best materials available. When owners Mike and Becky Seigel came to me, they wanted a boat that could compete in the top shows and provide many years of service. Not to leave even the smallest details to chance, Don Ayers provided the historical accuracy and documentation necessary for a project like this.

Little Ladys’ outer hull is built entirely from quartersawn Philippine Mahogany. She is plank on frame, batten seam constructed. White oak is used in the stem, chines, transom , and strategically throughout the framing together with quartersawn Philippine mahogany. Heavy 16/4 (4”) stock is sculpted to form the outer covering boards. Almost the entire hull was steambent to conform to her streamlime shape. The new bottom is made entirely from solid lumber as was the original. There is absolutely no plywood used in the hull.

Every original detail was studied and reproduced down to the galvenized assembly nails in the frames and sub assemblies.