Difference between revisions of "Rich Line"

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Rich Line Boats

Richland Mfg. Co.

Box 908

Richland, Missouri

Additional address is 526 Woodruff Bldg., Springfield, Missouri.

Richland Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1953 to build aluminum boats; the first production boats were made in 1954. In the 1959 Rich Line brochure, both Rich Line and SeaFury boats are advertised. Rich Line bought Sea Fury Boats in late 1958 in order to add a fiberglass model line. This 1959 brochure lists manufacturing plants in Richland and Conway, Missouri as well as Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Sales Manager, J. B. Appleby, left Rich Line in 1960 to found Appleby Boats. He later returned to buy the company in the 1970's and consolidated operations under the Appleby Boats brand. In addition to boats, Rich Line offered a line of boat and camping trailers.

History

Boating World Article Thanks to George Schneider

Article on a 1957 Sea Fury Boat, page 1
Article on a 1957 Sea Fury Boat, page 2

                                         The Origin of Rich Line Aluminum Boats by George Schneider

In the summer of 1952 my father, Gordon L. Schneider and I were standing on the dock at Hyde-Away-Cove at the Lake of the Ozarks watching a Lone Star crossing the lake. My dad commented that he could make an aluminum boat that would plane better than that. He was silent for a time. Then, he said, "George that is what we are going to build at that old Shell Pumping Station in Richland." I had no idea what a Shell Pumping Station was and I had never heard of Richland, Missouri.

On May 4 of 1953 the articles of incorporation with 8 members were filed by Gordon L. Schneider with the Secretary of State, State of Missouri. They were approved, creating Richland Manufacturing Company, on May 14, 1953. By August of 1953 we had moved from Independence, Missouri to Richland and I had seen the Shell Pumping Station which my dad was turning into a boat production plant.

My dad was well qualified by the summer of 1953 to create, design, build and produce aluminum boats. He started out in Independence, Missouri as a metallurgist, then worked his way up in the world of manufacturing. During World War II he was Chief Cost Accountant for Lake City Ordinance Plant in Lake City, Missouri. After the war he went to work for Vendo in Kansas City as their Assistant Plant Manager. He then managed several small businesses in the Kansas City area like Stalcup Sign Company, Peterson Manufacturing, and Northeast Tool and Die.

In August of 1953 Richland Manufacturing Company began fiber glassing the wooden boats from the resorts of the Lake of the Ozarks to help finance Rich Line Aluminum Boats. The first Rich Lines were tested at the Lake of the Ozarks in the spring of 1954. By the fall of 1955 Rich Line aluminum fishing boats, runabouts, and houseboats were streaming off the production line at two shifts a day, five days a week. The Governor of Illinois purchased one of the houseboats. By early 1956, 6,000 Rich Lines had been sold.

This drew the attention of the Springfield News and Leader. Don Payton, a reporter for the newspaper took a tour of Richland Manufacturing Company and his news article, “At Three year old plant: Boat Building Is Big Business” appeared Sunday, April 15, 1956.

My dad sold the company in 1957. Richland Manufacturing continued making boats another 21 years. They also purchased Sea Fury and Tom Sawyer Boats for an early fiberglass line. The Rich Line name continued until 2003. In the 2003 July-August issue of “Boating Life” there is an ad for a Rich Line Pontoon Series along with a Rich Line Web Address which was later taken down.

Some 63 years, after the articles of incorporation creating Richland Manufacturing Company, there are still Rich Line Aluminum boats performing like it was their first day. Many resorts even today offer Rich lines as part of their vacation packages. These boats were built by hard working men of the Ozarks who poured their hearts and souls into them. It is in part a testimony to their work ethic, and my dad's vision, that these boats are still giving service.

The last brochure I have been able to locate by Richland Manufacturing is circa 1973. The corporation was dissolved on 11-27-78 by the Secretary of State, State of Missouri.

If anyone has information to contribute, sees something they consider to be misinformation, or has a Rich Line brochure, I would greatly appreciate the input.

Model Information

1963 Outboard Boat Trade-In Guide Blue Book

1955 to 1956 Rich Line models
1957 to 1959 Rich Line models
1959 to 1962 Rich Line models

Undated Information

Miscellaneous

1950's Rich Line TV Promotion Photo

1954 Information

1954 Brochure Thanks to George Schneider

1954 Rich Line Brochure, page 1
1954 Rich Line Brochure, page 2

1955 Information

1955 Brochure Thanks to George Schneider

1955 Rich Line Brochure, page 1
1955 Rich Line Brochure, page 2
1955 Rich Line Brochure, page 3
1955 Rich Line Brochure, page 4

1955 Miscellaneous Thanks to George Schneider

1955 Rich Line Boats Article

1956 Information

1956 Brochure Thanks to George Schneider

1956 Rich Line Brochure, page 1
1956 Rich Line Brochure, page 2
1956 Rich Line Brochure, page 3
1956 Rich Line Brochure, page 4
1956 Rich Line Brochure, page 5
1956 Rich Line Brochure, page 6
1956 Rich Line Brochure, page 7
1956 Rich Line Brochure, page 8
1956 Rich Line Brochure, page 9
1956 Rich Line Brochure, page 10
1956 Rich Line Brochure, page 11
1956 Rich Line Brochure, page 12
1956 Rich Line Brochure, page 13
1956 Rich Line Brochure, page 14
1956 Rich Line Brochure, page 15
1956 Rich Line Brochure, page 16
1956 Rich Line Brochure, page 17
1956 Rich Line Brochure, page 18
1956 Rich Line Price List

1956 Miscellaneous

1956 Holiday Houseboat Sales Flyer
1956 Rich Line 14' Knight Deluxe Ad
1956 Rich Line Boat Dealer Ad
1956 Rich Line Dealer Newspaper Ad
June 26, 1956 Testimonial on Rich Line Boats
Rich Line article in Springfield News & Leader, April 15, 1956, part 1
Rich Line article in Springfield News & Leader, April 15, 1956, part 2

1957 Information

1957 Boats Brochure Thanks to George Schneider

1957 Rich Line Brochure, page 1
1957 Rich Line Brochure, page 2
1957 Rich Line Brochure, page 3
1957 Rich Line Brochure, page 4
1957 Rich Line Brochure, page 5
1957 Rich Line Brochure, page 6
1957 Rich Line Price List

1957 Houseboat Brochure Thanks to George Schneider

1957 Holiday Houseboat Brochure, page 1
1957 Holiday Houseboat Brochure, page 2
1957 Holiday Houseboat Brochure, page 3
1957 Holiday Houseboat Brochure, page 4

1957 Miscellaneous

1957 Ad for the 30' Holiday Houseboat
1957 Rich Line Boats Article
1957 Rich Line "Big 16" Day Cruiser Ad

1958 Information

1958 Brochure Thanks to George Schneider

1958 Rich Line Brochure, page 1
1958 Rich Line Brochure, page 2
1958 Rich Line Brochure, page 3
1958 Rich Line Brochure, page 4
1958 Rich Line Brochure, page 5
1958 Rich Line Brochure, page 6
1958 Rich Line Brochure, page 7
1958 Rich Line Price List

1958 Miscellaneous

1958 Rich Line Newspaper Ad
1958 Rich Line 16' Super Custom article
1958 Rich Line Holiday Houseboat article
1958 Rich Line Holiday Houseboat article

1959 Information

1959 Brochure Thanks George Schneider

1959 Rich Line Brochure, page 1
1959 Rich Line Brochure, page 2
1959 Rich Line Brochure, page 3
1959 Rich Line Brochure, page 4

1959 Houseboat Brochure Thanks George Schneider

1959 Fleet Queen Houseboat Brochure, page 1
1959 Fleet Queen Houseboat Brochure, page 2
1959 Fleet Queen Houseboat Brochure, page 3
1959 Fleet Queen Houseboat Brochure, page 4

1959 Miscellaneous

1959 Rich Line 16' Super Custom Ad
1959 Rich Line Big 16' Day Cruiser Article
1959 Rich Line 17' Sea Fury Ad

1960 Information

1960 Brochure Thanks to George Schneider

1960 Rich Line Brochure, page 1
1960 Rich Line Brochure, page 2
1960 Rich Line Brochure, page 3
1960 Rich Line Brochure, page 4
1960 Rich Line Brochure, page 5
1960 Rich Line Brochure, page 6
1960 Rich Line Brochure, page 7
1960 Rich Line Brochure, page 8
1960 Rich Line Brochure, page 9
1960 Rich Line Brochure, page 10
1960 Rich Line Brochure, page 11
1960 Rich Line Brochure, page 12

2nd 1960 Brochure Thanks to George Schneider

2nd 1960 Rich Line Brochure, page 1
2nd 1960 Rich Line Brochure, page 2
2nd 1960 Rich Line Brochure, page 3
2nd 1960 Rich Line Brochure, page 4
2nd 1960 Rich Line Brochure, page 5
2nd 1960 Rich Line Brochure, page 6
2nd 1960 Rich Line Brochure, page 7
2nd 1960 Rich Line Brochure, page 8
2nd 1960 Rich Line Brochure, page 9
2nd 1960 Rich Line Brochure, page 10
2nd 1960 Rich Line Brochure, page 11
2nd 1960 Rich Line Brochure, page 12

1960 Miscellaneous

1960 Rich Line Knight Deluxe Ad
1960 Rich Line Holiday House Junior Ad

1961 Information

1961 Information Thanks to George Schneider

1961 Rich Line Brochure, page 1
1961 Rich Line Brochure, page 2
1961 Rich Line Brochure, page 3
1961 Rich Line Brochure, page 4
1961 Rich Line Brochure, page 5
1961 Rich Line Brochure, page 6
1961 Rich Line Brochure, page 7
1961 Rich Line Brochure, page 8
1961 Rich Line Brochure, page 9
1961 Rich Line Brochure, page 10
1961 Rich Line Brochure, page 11
1961 Rich Line Brochure, page 12
1961 Rich Line Price List, page 1
1961 Rich Line Price List, page 2

1962 Information

1962 Brochure Thanks to George Schneider

1962 Rich Line Brochure, page 1
1962 Rich Line Brochure, page 2

1963 Information

1963 Brochure Thanks to George Schneider

1963 Rich Line Brochure, page 1
1963 Rich Line Brochure, page 2
1963 Rich Line Brochure, page 3
1963 Rich Line Brochure, page 4

1963 Miscellaneous

1963 Rich Line Knight Special 16' Ad

1964 Information

1964 Brochure Thanks to George Schneider

1964 Rich Line Brochure, page 1
1964 Rich Line Brochure, page 2
1964 Rich Line Brochure, page 3
1964 Rich Line Brochure, page 4

1965 Information

1965 Brochure Thanks to George Schneider

1965 Rich Line Brochure, page 1
1965 Rich Line Brochure, page 2
1965 Rich Line Brochure, page 3
1965 Rich Line Brochure, page 4
1965 Rich Line Brochure, page 5
1965 Rich Line Brochure, page 6

2nd 1965 Brochure Thanks to George Schneider

2nd 1965 Rich Line Brochure, page 1
2nd 1965 Rich Line Brochure, page 2
2nd 1965 Rich Line Brochure, page 3
2nd 1965 Rich Line Brochure, page 4
2nd 1965 Rich Line Brochure, page 5
2nd 1965 Rich Line Brochure, page 6

1965 Miscellaneous

1965 Rich Line 14' Sportsman Ad

1966 Information

1966 Miscellaneous

1966 Rich Line Newspaper Ad
1966 Rich Line Pricelist

1967 Information

1967 Brochure Thanks to George Schneider

1967 Rich Line Brochure, page 1
1967 Rich Line Brochure, page 2
1967 Rich Line Brochure, page 3
1967 Rich Line Brochure, page 4
1967 Rich Line Brochure, page 5
1967 Rich Line Brochure, page 6

1967-1968 Houseboat Brochure Thanks to George Schneider

1967-1968 Rich Line 40' Holiday Houseboat Brochure, page 1
1967-1968 Rich Line 40' Holiday Houseboat Brochure, page 2
1967-1968 Rich Line 40' Holiday Houseboat Brochure, page 3
1967-1968 Rich Line 40' Holiday Houseboat Brochure, page 4
1967-1968 Rich Line 40' Holiday Houseboat Brochure, page 5
1967-1968 Rich Line 40' Holiday Houseboat Brochure, page 6

1967-1968 Fiberglass Boats Brochure Thanks to George Schneider

1967-1968 Rich Line Fiberglass Boats Brochure, page 1
1967-1968 Rich Line Fiberglass Boats Brochure, page 2
1967-1968 Rich Line Fiberglass Boats Brochure, page 3
1967-1968 Rich Line Fiberglass Boats Brochure, page 4
1967-1968 Rich Line Fiberglass Boats Brochure, page 5

1968 Information

1968 Brochure Thanks to George Schneider

1968 Rich Line Brochure, page 1
1968 Rich Line Brochure, page 2
1968 Rich Line Brochure, page 3
1968 Rich Line Brochure, page 4
1968 Rich Line Brochure, page 5
1968 Rich Line Brochure, page 6

1968 Miscellaneous

1968 Rich Line Holiday House Ad

1969 Information

1969-1970 Brochure Thanks to George Schneider

1969-70 Rich Line Brochure, page 1
1969-70 Rich Line Brochure, page 2
1969-70 Rich Line Brochure, page 3
1969-70 Rich Line Brochure, page 4
1969-70 Rich Line Brochure, page 5
1969-70 Rich Line Brochure, page 6
1969-70 Rich Line Brochure, page 7
1969-70 Rich Line Brochure, page 8
1969-70 Rich Line Brochure, page 9
1969-70 Rich Line Brochure, page 10
1969-70 Rich Line Brochure, page 11
1969-70 Rich Line Brochure, page 12
1969-70 Rich Line Brochure, page 13
1969-70 Rich Line Brochure, page 14
1969-70 Rich Line Brochure, page 15
1969-70 Rich Line Brochure, page 16

1969-70 Houseboat Brochure Thanks George Schneider

1969-70 Rich Line 34 & 44' Houseboat Brochure, page 1
1969-70 Rich Line 34 & 44' Houseboat Brochure, page 2
1969-70 Rich Line 34 & 44' Houseboat Brochure, page 3
1969-70 Rich Line 34 & 44' Houseboat Brochure, page 4

1969 Miscellaneous

1969 Rich Line CT Ad

1970 Information

1970 Brochure Thanks George Schneider

1970 Rich Line Brochure, page 1
1970 Rich Line Brochure, page 2
1970 Rich Line Brochure, page 3
1970 Rich Line Brochure, page 4
1970 Rich Line Brochure, page 5
1970 Rich Line Brochure, page 6
1970 Rich Line Brochure, page 7
1970 Rich Line Brochure, page 8
1970 Rich Line Brochure, page 9
1970 Rich Line Brochure, page 10
1970 Rich Line Brochure, page 11
1970 Rich Line Brochure, page 12

1971 Information

1971 Brochure Thanks George Schneider

1971 Rich Line Brochure, page 1
1971 Rich Line Brochure, page 2
1971 Rich Line Brochure, page 3
1971 Rich Line Brochure, page 4
1971 Rich Line Brochure, page 5
1971 Rich Line Brochure, page 6
1971 Rich Line Brochure, page 7
1971 Rich Line Brochure, page 8
1971 Rich Line Brochure, page 9
1971 Rich Line Brochure, page 10
1971 Rich Line Brochure, page 11
1971 Rich Line Brochure, page 12
1971 Rich Line Brochure, page 13
1971 Rich Line Brochure, page 14
1971 Rich Line Brochure, page 15
1971 Rich Line Brochure, page 16
1971 Rich Line Price List

1972 Information

1972 Brochure Thanks George Schneider

1972 Rich Line Brochure, page 1
1972 Rich Line Brochure, page 2
1972 Rich Line Brochure, page 3
1972 Rich Line Brochure, page 4
1972 Rich Line Brochure, page 5
1972 Rich Line Brochure, page 6
1972 Rich Line Brochure, page 7
1972 Rich Line Brochure, page 8
1972 Rich Line Brochure, page 9
1972 Rich Line Brochure, page 10
1972 Rich Line Brochure, page 11
1972 Rich Line Brochure, page 12
1972 Rich Line Price List

1972 Miscellaneous

1972 Rich Line Pontoon Boat Ad

1973 Information

1973 Brochure Thanks George Schneider

1973 Rich Line Brochure, page 1
1973 Rich Line Brochure, page 2
1973 Rich Line Brochure, page 3
1973 Rich Line Brochure, page 4
1973 Rich Line Brochure, page 5
1973 Rich Line Brochure, page 6
1973 Rich Line Brochure, page 7
1973 Rich Line Brochure, page 8
1973 Rich Line Brochure, page 9
1973 Rich Line Brochure, page 10
1973 Rich Line Brochure, page 11
1973 Rich Line Brochure, page 12

1974 Information

1974 Miscellaneous

Rich Line in a 1974 Mercury Outboard Motor Ad

Rich Line Boats in Use

Back to Main Page

@@ Line 82: / Line 82: @@
 </gallery>
+'''1955 Miscellaneous''' ''Thanks to George Schneider''
+<gallery>
+File:Richlinea55001.jpg|1955 Rich Line Boats Article
+</gallery>
 ==1956 Information==
@@ Line 113: / Line 118: @@
 File:Richlinea56004.jpg|1956 Rich Line 14' Knight Deluxe Ad
 File:Richlinea56005.jpg|1956 Rich Line Boat Dealer Ad
+File:Richlinea56006.jpg|1956 Rich Line Dealer Newspaper Ad
 File:Richlineletter56001.jpg|June 26, 1956 Testimonial on Rich Line Boats
 File:Richlinea56002.jpg|Rich Line article in Springfield News & Leader, April 15, 1956, part 1
 File:Richlinea56003.jpg|Rich Line article in Springfield News & Leader, April 15, 1956, part 2
 </gallery>
 ==1957 Information==
@@ Line 144: / Line 149: @@
 <gallery>
 File:Richlinea57001.jpg|1957 Ad for the 30' Holiday Houseboat
+File:Richlinea57002.jpg|1957 Rich Line Boats Article
+File:Richlinea57003.jpg|1957 Rich Line "Big 16" Day Cruiser Ad
 </gallery>
@@ Line 163: / Line 170: @@
 '''1958 Miscellaneous'''
 <gallery>
+File:Richlinea58004.jpg|1958 Rich Line Newspaper Ad
 File:Richlinea58002.jpg|1958 Rich Line 16' Super Custom article
 File:Richlinea58001.jpg|1958 Rich Line Holiday Houseboat article
@@ Line 275: / Line 283: @@
 </gallery>
+'''1963 Miscellaneous'''
+<gallery>
+File:Richlinea63001.jpg|1963 Rich Line Knight Special 16' Ad
+</gallery>
 ==1964 Information==
@@ Line 318: / Line 331: @@
 '''1966 Miscellaneous'''
 <gallery>
+File:Richlinea66001.jpg|1966 Rich Line Newspaper Ad
 File:Richlineb66001.jpg|1966 Rich Line Pricelist
 </gallery>
@@ Line 468: / Line 482: @@
 </gallery>
+'''1972 Miscellaneous'''
+<gallery>
+File:Richlinea72001.jpg|1972 Rich Line Pontoon Boat Ad
+</gallery>
 ==1973 Information==
@@ Line 488: / Line 507: @@
 ==1974 Information==
+'''1974 Miscellaneous'''
 <gallery>
-'''1974 Miscellaneous'''
 File:Mercurya74001.jpg|Rich Line in a 1974 [[Mercury|Mercury Outboard Motor]] Ad
 </gallery>
@@ Line 505: / Line 524: @@
 [[Category:Houseboats]]
 [[Category:Fins]]
+[[Category:Pontoon Boats]]