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Boat brands you miss

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by olderboater, Dec 28, 2013.

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  1. olderboater, Dec 28, 2013
    #1
    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Wondering about the future of a few boat builders today and then it crossed my mind to ask about what boat brands or builders that have disappeared in the past people really miss or regret that happening. Both those in the recent past and the more distant past.

    I would expect all the Post and Roamer enthusiasts to pop up quickly in this thread and Chris Craft is an obvious choice to me, even though technically the brand still exists. It's not the same. On the lakes we missed the old Century boats. I'm interested in just how many have faded during the tough economic times as I wasn't following larger boats 5 and 10 years ago so not familiar with those that don't exist today. Suspect a few that do exist today may not five years from now, at least in their present form.
  2. Capt J, Dec 28, 2013
    #2
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Seacraft, Donzi, Fountain, Apache, Uniflite (because I always liked the look of their Vietnam patrol boats 31') are a few I can think of right away. Striker (not the best SF being aluminum) but they had such a mean and tough appearance with their big beams. I do not miss Wellcraft, proline or Bayliner by any means.
  3. dennismc, Dec 28, 2013
    #3
    dennismc

    dennismc Senior Member

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    Stephens out of Stockton CA. I have one of their 70 ft MY's tough tough boat.
  4. YachtForums, Dec 28, 2013
    #4
    YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    Growing up in Broward County, aspiring to the yacht that most often graced our waterways, let me post an honorable mention to the obvious. Thanks Frank!
  5. PacBlue, Dec 28, 2013
    #5
    PacBlue

    PacBlue Senior Member

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    Classic Trojan's had a nice run, but I was not a fan of their modern wide-beam International series. Thought the F-30/44 looked ahead of their time.

    Recall the Owens line of FRP boats, probably one of the biggest boat lines of their time (60's - early 70's) and one of the first examples of the Brunswick Corp sinking a proven boatbuilder.

    Out on the West Coast, miss the classic Elliott's (our "Rybovich"), Jones -Goodell who built many cool Ed Monk (Jr) craft and Pacifica's, our 44 was a tank, confidence inspiring in rough stuff from Guadalupe Island to and beyond.

    Always liked the looks of the Topaz line as well.
  6. CaptTom, Dec 28, 2013
    #6
    CaptTom

    CaptTom Senior Member

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    Silverton was a victim of the downturn that shuttered the Luhrs Marine Group back in 2012. A nice, economical yet light (12K lbs) yacht, the 34 Silverton my family had was purchased in 1987 for around $85K and gave us enjoyment for 17 years.
    Luhrs Marine Group consisted of Silverton, Luhrs, and Mainship powerboats and Hunter sailboats. Mainship and Hunter brands have been purchased by Marlow Yachts and resurrected. Currently there's a 32 and 37 foot Mainship offered and Hunters from 15 to 50 feet, all under Marlow.
    Here's a pic of our ride on her way to her winter layup on Long Island.

    Attached Files:

  7. Bamboo, Dec 28, 2013
    #7
    Bamboo

    Bamboo Senior Member

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    Make sure folks know it's not Roscioli Donzi! They will build anything anyone buys.:)
  8. olderboater, Dec 28, 2013
    #8
    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Some of the other names live on or have been resurrected too but aren't the boats we remember.
  9. Fishtigua, Dec 28, 2013
    #9
    Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

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    Camper & Nicholson sailing yachts. Not the big flashy ones, just the regular family boats. I've been on loads and they were all well built, a good design and always sailed well. I wish something similar was still on the market today without the silly price tag.
  10. RB480, Dec 28, 2013
    #10
    RB480

    RB480 Senior Member

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    I really miss the Trojan international line all models of the 12 and 14 meter boats were absolutely fantastic running boats in a chop.
  11. CaptEvan, Dec 28, 2013
    #11
    CaptEvan

    CaptEvan Senior Member

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    Great Lakes Loss

    Powerplay, turned Powerquest, due to a name conflict with a FL builder. A very solid line of performance boats which pushed Donzi to the back row in the Midwest. Not so much a recession loss as an over-valued company purchase, with dreams and debt that crushed it. Truly sad, because they built an excellent boat, which still has a following today.
  12. olderboater, Dec 28, 2013
    #12
    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Many that we hear blamed on economy were really purchases that were heavily leveraged or sales to absentee, non-boating investors. Someone mentioned death by Brunswick in an earlier post. Honestly, I worry about Hatteras and that's one I would find terribly painful if they didn't live on or if they changed too drastically.
  13. RT46, Dec 28, 2013
    #13
    RT46

    RT46 Senior Member

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    Egg Harbor

    Pen Yan

    Winner

    Matthews

    Ownes
  14. PacBlue, Dec 28, 2013
    #14
    PacBlue

    PacBlue Senior Member

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    Laguna 10 and 11.5 meter by American Marine (Grand Banks). Precursor to the current successful Eastbay line. Deep-vee design by Newport Beach Naval Architect, Robert Dorris.

    This concept was way ahead of its time (early 70's), but the 10m was an awesome ride, great use of space and incredibly small 2-seater bridge. She looked like she was going 30+ while still at the dock!

    American Marine had the balls to marinize the GMC Toro-Flow engine (a gas engine converted to diesel, think your local friendly neighborhood Garbage Truck in the 70's) and it was a complete flop, too many of these boats caught on fire on their way to Davey Jone's locker :(
  15. olderboater, Dec 28, 2013
    #15
    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Odd how American Marine is in Singapore and Malaysia and Van Dutch is in the US.
  16. bigbill, Dec 28, 2013
    #16
    bigbill

    bigbill New Member

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    seabird...for the smaller boats
  17. Caltexflanc, Dec 28, 2013
    #17
    Caltexflanc

    Caltexflanc Senior Member

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    Chiming in for the left coast.

    Tollycraft.
    Mediterranean, Pacifica.
    Willard is still in business, but I miss their unique and innovative trawlers.
    West Bay Sonship

    X2 on Stephens, Jones-Goodell.

    Egg Harbor is still around, they bought the Silverton and Luhrs names I believe, Marlowe bought Hunter and Mainship.
  18. olderboater, Dec 28, 2013
    #18
    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Egg Harbor is showing a complete line of Silverton being offered. Meanwhile Luhrs name went to St. Augustine Marine and the company was to be MB Industries. I can't find any indication anything was ever done with it, however.

    Seems to me the odds are really against brands when the owner reaches the point of ceasing production as the new owner takes time and loses any continuity from an already faltering company.
  19. olderboater, Dec 28, 2013
    #19
    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Their website makes it appear they're still in business.
  20. Kafue, Dec 29, 2013
    #20
    Kafue

    Kafue Senior Member

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    Tollycraft is a good choice. Especially the Tollycraft 57' Pilothouse.
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