Chris Craft - The story begins in 1861
Chris Craft 1861: The year in which Abraham Lincoln was president, the Civil War just begun and the western United States still belonged to the "savage" Indians. During this time, near St Clair River, a boy was born: Christopher Columbus Smith. He was to become a man who defined boating pleasure and the joy in sailing a motor yacht. Not just for America but across the globe.
Chris Craft in 1884: Chris Smith opened his first boat factory in St Clair. For 25 years, together with his brother Hank, Chris hand built the most diverse boats for affluent businessmen. His reputation grew with every new boat.
Around the turn of the century, the world celebrated another groundbreaking achievement, this time by a man named Henry Ford: The internal combustion engine - built into a car. Chris Smith thought about incorporating one into a boat, and eventually installed an engine in one of his boats. He is the inventor of today's motor and power boats! His first boat travelled at a speed of seven miles per hour. He built this business and designed innovative boat hulls, which allowed the water to efficiently flow over them at speed and still do so to this day.
Chris Craft - Innovator and inventor of the speed boat race
Chris Craft: Finally, Chris Smith also developed special speed boats to take part in races. The powerboat races evolved into one of the most popular sports in America. Chris Craft boats won the "American Powerboat Association Gold Cup" six times in a row between 1914 and 1921. His Chris Craft boats set new speed records, which only his own new designs could beat.
Between the world wars - the standardization of the Chris Craft design increases the market value
Between the two world wars, pleasure and comfort became as important as performance. Although Chris Craftt was still counted as the market leader during this period, growing competitors called for Smith's full attention and energy. Chris Craft was the first boat building business to standardize its design. In doing so he was able to secure a universal standard of quality. In 1924 the company received its present name: Chris Craft. Chris Craft was the largest producer of mahogany boats, producing about 1000 boats per year. By this time, Chris's son Jay had become manager of the company - a post he held until 1958. Chris Smith never knew the horrors of World War II: he died in 1939. Chris Craft built over 10,000 landing craft. In 1944 it was a Chris Craft boat which brought the first American allies ashore, on the coast of Normandy.
Chris Craft - today
In 1960 the Chris Craft headquarters moved from Michigan to Florida - Chris Craft had never been more popular. The introduction of fibreglass marked the beginning of a new technological age. Despite the technological progress, Chris Craft boats are built with the same degree of craftsmanship as their old mahogany counterparts.
The last boat made entirely out of wood was built in 1972, but wood still remains a major feature of every boat. Many famous families such as the Morgans, the Slowans or the Fords have enjoyed the pleasure of owning a Chris Craft. Even two great presidents relaxed with their families on Chris Craft motor yachts.
Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Cathrin Hepburn and Elvis Presley have all owned a Chris Craft yacht. Luxury boats are popular among celebrities even to this day. And yet the boats themselves are stars in their own right: Chris Craft boats are shown and described in countless novels and films.
