This is probably the most important boat review I have ever done, because it is on my boat. A Crystaliner 29.5, an old lifeguard boat painted stars and stripes blue — which is the best color anyone has ever painted a boat. I pride myself on integrity and honest reviews, so I will not say this is the best boat ever built or that whoever painted it this color has really great taste. Instead, we are going to walk the entire boat, go through the engines, and give it a proper star rating.
The Hull and What Makes It Different
The first thing you notice is the flare running all the way down the hull. The waterline sits low and all that flare above it helps the boat cut through the water. At the stern there is a permanent trim tab that Crystaliner bolted on after the hull was molded — OEM, not aftermarket, and all Crystaliners have them. When the boat is moving the water shoots off the back and the platform stays dry. Lifeguards loved it because they could stand on it and drop off at speed without needing a swim step. The stern on this one was originally cut out — Long Beach Fire used to pull Lido 14s up onto the back deck to rescue capsized kids. The previous owner fiberglassed it in, so now there is a proper transom.
Crystaliners were built in Costa Mesa, mainly for government use — cities, lifeguards, sheriff, fire departments. The government boats were built with half-inch thick fiberglass hulls, heavier duty than the private versions, which is why they are more sought after. This one was Long Beach Fire, auctioned sometime in the 2000s, jumped from owner to owner, and finally ended up with me. No two Crystaliners were made exactly the same — cities could customize them however they wanted.
On Deck and at the Helm
My partner Christian and I rebuilt most of this boat — cushions, paint, flooring, deck seats. We added bench seats on each side of the cockpit and the deck is raised about four inches higher than original because a previous owner swapped in diesel engines bigger than what the boat was designed for. That means you stand taller at the helm and sometimes take on more water than you would expect. There are four eight-inch JL Audio speakers, LED rail lights that flash white, red, and blue, rod holders on both sides, and a three-axle trailer with a reinforced D-ring for hauling it out. Browse similar cabin cruisers on Set Sale Marine.
The helm has gear controls on the port side, throttle on starboard, two Mercury VesselView computers that run the Cummins diesels below, bilge switches, an iPhone charger, nav and deck light switches, a horn button, a compass, and the ignition keys up top. The centerpiece is a custom teak brow that wraps all the way around the helm — we had it made to fit the original spot and give the boat that classic lifeguard look. It is about due for varnish.
Inside the Cabin
You get below by flipping up two spring-loaded hatches and opening a door. The V-berth forward is like a huge king bed — originally two twin beds, but a previous owner converted it into one big berth. On the other side there is a couch about six and a half feet long. The floor is faux teak decking, and we have a small teak table that goes out on the stern for eating. The cabinetry is the only thing I have not redone — everything else, the cushions, the flooring, the paint, the deck seats, Christian and I did ourselves. We installed the head and the sink. The control panel has your essentials — macerator pump, water pressure pump, running lights, a Standard Horizon VHF, and a Fusion head unit running an amplifier that feeds all four speakers. A bimini covers the whole boat up top, and on the bow we went with a manual anchor system instead of a windlass because we liked the clean look without a bowsprit and did not want to cut into the fiberglass.
The Engines
You access the engine compartment by picking up the deck plates and sliding them over. Down below are twin Cummins 5.7 QSPs putting out 350 horsepower each — about 710 combined. They are significantly bigger than what the boat was originally designed for, which is why there is zero room around them. Getting behind the engines is what we call the Christian test — my boat partner has squeezed himself back there more times than I can count. Underneath the seats you have access to the prop shafts and transmissions, a stern bilge pump, and a hydraulic steering system. The boat will do about 35 knots and burns roughly 10 gallons an hour at 20 to 25 knots — about 60 miles on 38 gallons. The handling is excellent thanks to the deep-V hull with all that flare. This boat was designed to push through breaking surf, and you feel that confidence when you take it out in wind and chop.
The Star Review
I told you at the beginning I would not be biased. Fifty out of fifty stars, perfect in every category — okay, now in all honesty. Practicality gets a 3 out of 5 — great size and comes with a trailer, but no shower, no stove, and not much fresh water. Styling is a 5 — classic Southern California lifeguard lines that never get old. Handling gets a 4 — cuts through the water amazingly and was designed to go over huge crashing waves. Performance is a 4 — the diesels are fast and efficient, but to get a 5 it would need way more power. Comfort is a 3 — tons of room to lay out, but the head has no door and it is a smaller boat that rocks more. Technology gets a 2 — there is a transducer in the hull but nothing connected to it, no GPS or radar. The VesselView screens saved it from a 1. Value gets a 4 — these boats run under a hundred thousand dollars, with nicer private fishing versions around 110 to 115 and others north of 70. Party boat gets a 4 — lots of room on the bow and bench seating in the back, plus the speaker system is crazy. Repairability is a 5 — everything on this boat is available at your local store, and Cummins manufacturing is everywhere. Fun factor gets a 4 — people look at you all day, the older crowd recognizes these boats from the beach their whole lives, and it handles great at speed. Total: 38 stars. Browse boats for sale on Set Sale Marine.
This Crystaliner is an incredible boat and I feel very lucky to own it. If anyone has the opportunity to find one, grab it. You are going to see a lot more of this boat — Catalina, Emerald Bay, destinations all around Southern California. Smooth sailing.
If you want to see another lifeguard boat, check out my review of the real Baywatch rescue vessel — [FUTURE LINK: The Real Baywatch Lifeguard Boat Built by Seaway — Reviewed] built by Seaway and designed for a very different mission.
