Builder Showcase: Chris-Craft
For the next few posts, I’m going to be giving just a short overview of a few classic boat brands. If there’s a particular maker you’d like to see featured or a deeper dive into any that have already appeared, let me know!
Now, the big one—the one you just have to start out a series like this with: Chris-Craft.
The Chris-Craft name is synonymous with the golden age of wooden pleasure boats, a period that spanned the early 20th century and left an indelible mark on maritime history. Founded in 1922 by Christopher Columbus Smith, Chris-Craft began as a small boat-building operation in Algonac, Michigan. Smith, a self-taught boatbuilder, had a vision of crafting elegant, high-performance wooden boats that would appeal to both recreational boaters and serious enthusiasts.
The “assembly hall,” as I call it
During the 1920s and 1930s, Chris-Craft became a household name, thanks to its innovative designs and meticulous craftsmanship. The company pioneered the use of mahogany planks over steam-bent oak frames, creating boats that were not only beautiful but also durable and fast. Their iconic runabouts became symbols of luxury and adventure, gracing the waters of lakes, rivers, and coastal areas across America. Hollywood further cemented their status, with Chris-Crafts frequently appearing in films and owned by celebrities like Frank Sinatra and Katharine Hepburn.
The post-World War II era saw Chris-Craft reach its peak, as the booming economy fueled demand for leisure boats. The company introduced new models, including utilities, cruisers, and sailboats, all crafted with the same attention to detail that had made their runabouts famous. However, by the late 1960s, the wooden boat era began to wane as fiberglass emerged as a more cost-effective and low-maintenance material.
Oh, the “Connie.” Beautiful.
Today, the wooden boats of Chris-Craft are cherished as timeless classics, celebrated for their beauty and historical significance. They remain a testament to an era when craftsmanship and elegance ruled the waves.
