Chris Craft 28'
Wood Model Boat

The legend of Chris-Craft began in 1884, when Christopher Columbus Smith began the Smith Boat House on the St Clair River in Algonac, Michigan, to manufacture small duck boats and power launches. Later, the company was extended to Chris Smith and Sons Boat Co. Many of his larger runabouts were used as taxis; transporting guests on the river front to resorts, or to various sightseeing attractions. In the twenty's, mostly runabouts were produced, but with the introduction of his speed boats, Chris Smith's fame took off.

Chris-Craft was the largest producer of mahogany boats in the country. In one year alone, one million feet of mahogany was delivered. Truck load after truck of Philippine Mahogany would arrive at the factory daily. No wood was ever wasted either. First, the lumber was air dried; then various hull parts were laid out using templates and patterns, were cut into plugs to be cemented into the counter sunk holes of the screws. All scraps were burned in the furnace for fuel.

In January of 1930, the Smiths introduced their most ambitious offerings to date, twenty-four models of boats. It was a clear signal to both consumers and the marine industry that Chris-Craft was not affected by wide spread rumors of impending disaster as a result of the crumbling American economy. "here they come", an article begins, "a long line of 24 new Chris-Craft - the largest and most complete motor boat spectacle ever presented.

Indeed, no other manufacturer in the world could offer such diversity and value. The review of the 1930 Chris-Craft fleet in Motor Boating reveals the increased emphasis on the higher end.

This beautiful 1930 - 28' Runabout was one of first quality pleasure power boats that was affordable. But the truth be known...these boats flourished during Prohibition with the demand for speed in water transportation. The remote areas along waterways on the Great lakes, upstate New-York and the Eastern shore were havens for gin mills. Both bootleggers and the Law required fast efficient transportation to travel to out-of-the way areas.



Only the finest materials, including well-seasoned mahogany and teak are used in order to duplicate the brilliance of this classic mahogany speedboat. All reproduction is plank on frame.

26" x 8"

Pre Assembled, Handcrafted Wood Model.