CC Hull Number 40644 State Registration WN 2966 LH VHF Call Sign WUT 4323
Dowd Ownership
Ernest Swepston Dowd was the boat's first owner. He custom-ordered his new Chris-Craft, hull number 40644, in the spring of 1940, and took possession of her in Lakeside, Ohio on July 1, naming her Sonny D. Mr. Dowd had served overseas as an army officer in World War I. He was the founding owner of Dowd Oldsmobile in Cleveland, and was a leading citizen of the community, serving in leadership positions with the Red Cross, the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce.
A photo of Ernest Healy "Sonny" Dowd. Ernest Swepston Dowd named his new boat Sonny D in honor of his only son.
This is Maranee's hull number plaque. Each boat that Chris-Craft built was assigned a hull number made up of the series and unit numbers, identifying every vessel that came out of the factory. Maranee was the 44th out of the total of 45 forty-two foot cruiser hulls built in the 1940 model year, as indicated by the last two digits. She is one of only five of this model known to still be afloat, and the only one still in her original configuration.
This is the original hull card (like a new car window sticker), misspelling Maranee's original name as Sunny Dee, as well as indicating her government numbers, 41 M 588. Mr. Dowd paid $11,500 for his custom Chris-Craft. The average cost of a new home in 1940 was about $3,000.