Chris-Craft

American craftsmanship in sports boats since 1874.

Chris-Craft traces its history back to 1874, when Christopher Columbus Smith built his first boat in Algonac, Michigan. The yard went on to become one of the best-known American boatbuilders, with mahogany runabouts that made the brand famous worldwide. The first fibreglass boat was launched in 1955, and the last mahogany boat in 1971. The company has been owned by an investment group since 2001.

Production is now based in Sarasota, Florida. Chris-Craft manufactures the Sportster, Launch, Launch GT, Calypso and Catalina ranges, from bowriders to dual-console and centre-console boats. Characteristic features include classic lines with wood inlays, hand-caulked teak and a paint finish that takes dozens of hours per hull.

Facts & figures

• Dating back to 1874 in Algonac, Michigan
• Based in Sarasota, Florida
• Offers the Sportster, Launch, Launch GT, Calypso and Catalina ranges
• Renowned for its wood inlay and hand-caulked teak deck
• Owned by an investment group since 2001