Chris Craft

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Chris-Craft Corporation

Pompano Beach, Florida

Chris-Craft Outboard Motors

2000 Beverly

Grand Rapids, MI

From 1949 to 1953, Chris-Craft produced a line of outboard motors in a Grand Rapids, Michigan plant. Production ended after a threat of a suit from Kiekhaefer Corp. for patent infringement. The outboard motor operation was later taken up by the Oliver Farm Equipment Company. Production of Chris Craft inboard marine engines, however, was a mainstay throughout most of the company's tenure.

In 1952, Chris Craft created the Kit Boat Division to offer a low-cost DIY option to customers. Other divisions included the Cavalier Division for plywood hull models, Sea Skiff Division for lapstrake hull boats, and Roamer Division steel and aluminum cruisers. For a short period of time, 1957-1958, Chris Craft owned Lake N Sea Boats and offered fiberglass boats. This business was quickly sold to Parsons Corporation and small fiberglass boat production halted until the 1960's with the introduction of the Chris-Craft Corsair boat models.

In 1960, Chris-Craft Corporation was purchased by Baldwin-Montrose Chemical, Inc and reorganized as Chris-Craft Industries, Inc. Then in 1968, NAFI Corporation, an automotive supplier, acquired the company from Baldwin-Montrose (New York Times, Jan. 23, 1970).

Chris Craft Model Information