Chris-Craft:1955 to 1969, Cavalier Division
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[edit] New Big-Value Line
Chris-Craft introduced the new boatbuilding Division in 1955 that soon became known as “Chris-Craft’s New Big-Value Line”. The Plywood Boat Division was needed in order to compete with other boat builders who were doing well in this category of boat construction and Chris-Craft reacted. Chris-Craft had already gained experience in using plywood efficiently and effectively while building landing craft for the War effort and in their Kit Boat and Sea Skiff Divisions. Substandard plywood was often rejected and returned, thus the wood industry quickly coined the name “Chris-Craft Grade” plywood as they had earlier established for solid Philippine mahogany supplied to the company.
The Plywood Boat Division introduced the 16’ Cavalier Utility, the 17’ Cavalier Utility, the 20’ Gay Paree and the 21’ Cabin Cruiser in their first year. Sales were favorable for the new Division and other models were quickly added following their introductory year.
[edit] Plywood Boats Have a Name
In 1957 the name was changed to the Cavalier Division and the fleet had grown to 27 models offered. In 1958 some Cavalier Division models were offered with a factory optional fiberglass covered bottom.
Sales continued to increase during the late years of the fifties to the point that the Main Division reduced their fleet in 1959. The 1959 Cavalier Division fleet included a lineup of Express and Semi-Enclosed Cruisers ranging from 16’ to 30’ as well as the popular Utility models.
[edit] New Owners
When Chris-Craft came into new ownership in 1960 by NAFI (National Automobile Fibers, Inc.) the Cavalier Division was producing some of the best selling boats in their new company. Their versatile fleet was expanded to 24 models in 1961.
In 1962 NAFI changed their corporate name to Chris-Craft Industries, Inc. The Cavalier Division introduced the 16’ Custom Ski to their fleet among others, expanding their fleet to meet market demand. Also that year, a display and production facility was open for business in Fiumicino, Italy where several 16’ Cavalier Custom Ski models and some 26' Futura models were built and distributed throughout Europe. The production of the new 26’ Custom Cruiser was shared with the Hayward, California plant.
The year 1963 brought about a new strategy for the Cavalier Division with fewer small boats and more large models in their fleet. In 1964 the Division introduced the Seastrake Express and the Sea Strake fleet with lapstrake sides similar to Sea Skiffs. In 1965 a production facility was opened in Stratford, Ontario and began producing several Cavalier Division models for Canadian sales.
The year of 1965 brought more change to the Cavalier Division as most every model was new for the year, generally being lengthened. The cost gap between building a traditional mahogany planked boat and one with a plywood bottom was narrowed to a nominal difference. In 1966 the Cavalier Crusaders were built using the traditional mahogany hull. Other Divisions were becoming more competitive as well, affecting Cavalier Division sales significantly. The trend was swinging widely toward fiberglass as the Corsair and Commander Divisions continued to grow in popularity.
[edit] Divisions or Fleets?
In 1968 Herb Siegel became the new President and CEO of Chris-Craft Industries, Inc. He quickly created the new Boat Division and previous Divisions became known as fleets. Thus, the Cavalier Division was now referred to as the Boat Division, Cavalier Fleet.
In 1969 the Cavalier Fleet introduced its first fiberglass boat, the 17’ Ski Boat. The remaining Cavalier fleet included the Futura in 4 lengths (26, 28, 30 & 33 feet), the 30’ Crusader (mahogany) and the 36’ Yacht. The fleet sales had diminished to only 350 total boats, 100 of which were the new 17’ Ski Boat. Production of the Cavalier fleet in USA facilities was shelved before the 1970 production year began.
In 1970 the new 17’ Ski Boat became part of the Corsair Fleet. A total of only 66 other Cavalier Fleet boats were built in Stratford, Ontario before the facility was closed and the Division/Fleet was discontinued, marking the end of the Cavalier era in Chris-Craft history.
[edit] Success or Failure?
The success of Cavalier cannot be disputed inasmuch as they filled a necessary niche by producing competitive boats when the market called for them. The success story is that, over their term the Cavalier Division/Fleet built a total quantity of 19,295 boats in 59 unique models. 586 of these were built in Stratford, Ontario and 249 in Fiumicino, Italy. There were 520 built with mahogany hulls, 2,350 built with lapstrake sides and 16,425 with plywood. The fleet was wisely discontinued when the market changed.
[edit] References
- Chris Craft, The Essential Guide, by Jerry Conrad; Mariners' Museum
- Type: Book; English
- Publisher: Newport News, VA : Mariners' Museum, ©2002.
- OCLC: 49780180
- Chris-Craft Boats, by Anthony S Mollica; Jack Savage
- Type: Book : Biography; English
- Publisher: St. Paul, MN : MBI Pub. Co., ©2001.
- ISBN: 0760309205 9780760309209
- OCLC: 48086949
- The Legend of Chris-Craft, by Jeffrey L Rodengen
- Type: Book; English
- Publisher: Fort Lauderdale, FL : Write Stuff Syndicate, ©1998.
- Edition: 3rd ed | 3 Editions
- ISBN: 0945903200 9780945903208
- OCLC: 40002035
