Razorback
America's boating craze was going strong in the mid 1950's. It seemed that everywhere you looked individuals or businesses were jumping on the boat building bandwagon. Hundreds of fly by night boat companies came and went with only a handful lasting more than a year or two.
In 1957 two Arkansas businessmen, James Cripps and Harry Brown, decided to jump on that bandwagon and give it their all. At that time James was employeed with Cutter boats in Tell City, Indiana working in the molds and production part of the company. James purchased a new Cutter Jet DeVille and brother-in-law Harry picked it up and brought it home to Little Rock. Shortly after, James quit Cutter and moved back to Ar. Starting with little more than a single stall garage and a dream, the brother-in-law duo splashed a mold from the Jet DeVille and the Razorback Fiberglass Corporation was born. The first boat was introduced in early spring of 1958, and dubbed the "Ski Jet". It's sleek design and sweeping fins were an instant success. Immediately there after a finless model called the "All Purpose Utility" was built and was equally sucessful.
Originally based in Little Rock, Ar the company continued to grow and was purchased in 1959 by Arkla Industries. (Arkansas-Louisiana Gas) The company moved to Malvern, Ar where they built a new, modern facility complete with it's own test lake. Many different models and styles followed, including sport models, cabin cruisers, fishing boats, and even some inboard models. Eventually the company was sold to Ouachita Boats, sometime around 1968. The Malvern plant, although not boat related any more, is still in use today. The original storage racks where Razorback boats were once stored awaiting shipment are still visible from the highway.
1958 Brochure
1958 Brochure, Page 1
