How are Chris-Craft’s wooden speed boats built?

1st February 2021

The history of Chris-Craft and their handmade wooden speed boats dates back to 1874, when a young boy named Christopher Columbus Smith built his first ever boat.

In 1881, with the help of his brother Hank, Chris began to build boats full time. As demand grew locally in Michigan and further afield, the due began to standardise their production methods and moved to a larger boat-building warehouse. In 1927, Chris-Craft was recognised as the largest building of mahogany wooden speed boats and by 1950, they were producing on average 139 power boat models! Whilst the last mahogany wooden speed boat was built in 1971, making way for a new era of fibreglass – the same quality, performance and handmade details are present in today’s range.

Everyone has a Chris-Craft story

The name ‘Chris-Craft’ is synonymous with classic wooden speed boats, waving American flags and exceptional build quality. Today, Chris-Craft build their speed boats with the same principles that defined them years ago, always designed and crafted with an appreciation for quality, uncommon beauty and stand-out style. Even down to the hand-stitched ‘Chris-Craft’ name on the upholstery and the Chris-Craft screw heads all pointing the same way, each Chris-Craft speedboat has been meticulously crafted. Equally matching this beautiful quality is her impressive power and sea handling, with each craft reaching speeds in excess of 50mph with comfort at heart.

Crafted by artisans for decades

Each Chris-Craft boat is crafted by highly experienced craftsmen and designers at their factory in Sarasota, Florida. A demanding and rigorous set of standards set by the Chris-Craft team ensures each craft is timelessly beautiful and completely comfortable and practical for today’s boater. Only the highest quality materials are used on board, including premium leathers and hand-selected teak, to differentiate a Chris-Craft against others on the market.

The current Chris-Craft line-up gives a nod to the wooden speed boats crafted years ago, whilst accommodating the needs of today’s modern-day boater. Deep-V hulls, reverse transoms, and accents such as handcrafted teak, and stainless steel burgee holders and trumpet horns date back to the original design. Fully equipped kitchens, spacious sleeping berths, and other custom touches created the ideal comfortable boating experience.

From the exquisitely handcrafted wooden speed boats of the early 1900’s to today’s sleek and premium range, the Chris-Craft experience is unlike any other.

For more information regarding the range, contact your local Chris-Craft office here.