Chris Craft

History needed. Please contact us if you would like to edit this page.

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. 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.

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