In a lecture presented by Gary Cornillie, learn the remarkable story of the Chris Craft Boat Company, established around the turn of the century in Algonac, Michigan.
Their handcrafted mahogany runabouts are floating works of art.
The founder of the company, Chris Columbus Smith, was to pleasure motor boats what Henry Ford was to motor cars.
In the 1910s–1930s, founder Smith and racers like Gar Wood pushed speed records and design forward. This era helped establish powerboat racing as a major spectacle.
The Chris-Craft Boat Company defined American recreational boating for decades. By the 1920s–30s, Chris-Craft helped turned boating into a leisure lifestyle. They succeeded in becoming one of the first “mass-produced” boat brands.
During World War II, Chris-Craft shifted from luxury to military production. They built PT boats (Patrol Torpedo boats) for the U.S. Navy.
The company struggled when fiberglass replaced wood in the 1960s–70s. But they bounced back and remain active today.
What: History of the Chris-Craft Boat Company lecture
When: Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Where: Plymouth District Library (223 S. Main st, Plymouth, MI)
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Cost: Free (registration required)
More info
https://plymouth.librarycalendar.com/event/chris-craft