Pascoe's Chris-Craft 302 review is mostly about what's behind the panels. The deck and hull sides were sound with no stress cracks. The problems were wet plywood and poor wiring, both of which a surveyor can find with some panels off.
Plywood cored foredeck
Through the hawse pipe for the anchor rode, Pascoe could see the foredeck was plywood cored, and the laminate there was completely separated and soaking up water. He also hoped there was no plywood core where the handrails were bolted through.
Where to look. Look at the core edge through the hawse pipe and any other deck opening. Sound and meter the foredeck around the anchor fittings and handrail bases.
Bulkheads
In the engine space, the cockpit icemaker was leaking onto the bulkhead and it was starting to rot. The plywood was marked C-D, a roof sheathing grade, with unfilled knots.
Where to look. Bulkheads below anything that drains or leaks: icemakers, sinks, coolers, hatches. Probe for soft wood.
Wiring
Pascoe's one word for the wiring is "a mess". He found a knot of taped wire connections sticking out of a hole under the head vanity, where any plumbing leak would short it, and many wires lying on top of and in contact with the fuel tanks.
Where to look. Trace the main runs: wires resting on fuel tanks or hot surfaces, taped splices, connections in wet areas, and support and chafe protection along the runs.
Helm
The Italian engine gauges had painted aluminium bezels that were corroding badly.
Recalls
The USCG recall list holds a Chris-Craft record for the Sportster 28. The public pages don't give the defect; check the hull number with a dealer.
What to check on a Chris-Craft
| Area | What to look for | Source of the concern |
|---|---|---|
| Foredeck core | Separated, wet plywood at the hawse pipe | Pascoe, Chris-Craft 302 |
| Handrail and fitting bases | Water into a plywood core | Pascoe, Chris-Craft 302 |
| Engine space bulkheads | Rot below leaks | Pascoe, Chris-Craft 302 |
| Wiring near fuel tanks | Wires lying on the tanks | Pascoe, Chris-Craft 302 |
| Splices | Taped joints in wet areas | Pascoe, Chris-Craft 302 |
| Recalls | Open campaigns for the hull number | USCG recall list |
Writing it up
"Wiring, aft of the engine compartment: several DC cables lying directly on the top of the port fuel tank with no support or chafe protection. Recommend the cables are rerouted and supported clear of the tank, with chafe protection, to ABYC E-11." Wiring that can chafe against a fuel tank is a safety item.