Columbus Smith built his first wooden boat in 1874 specially designed for duck hunting. He had the natural talent to work with wood. Together with his brother, he successfully built wooden boats specially designed to meet customers’ needs.
It soon became clear that their boats were of exceptional quality and so the legend was born. Their good reputation spread quickly and the brothers became increasingly interested in fast boats. The runabouts were born and Smith’s son Jay competed successfully in racing races and broke many speed records with his Chris Craft’s.
In 1884, the Smith brothers began series production of the legendary runabouts.
Chris Craft gained great fame for decades with the building of cruisers and yachts. The story began in 1874 when Chris Smith built a combustion engine into a wooden boat and the legend of Chris Craft was born. The last wooden boat was built in 1972. After that only plastic boats were built because of the simplified processing and the possibility to produce new forms. In 2001 the rebirth of the Chris Craft brand took place. Stephen Julius and Stephen Heese took over the company and gave it a new impulse and direction with new nostalgic models. With the intention to stand out from the rest of the boat market in terms of quality, workmanship, appearance and use of materials.
Chris Craft,
A heritage of timeless beauty.
Chris Craft,
A thing of beauty is a joy forever.
Chris Craft,
A boating experience like no other.
Chris Craft,
Boats designed to inspire emotion.
Columbus Smith built his first wooden boat in 1874 specially designed for duck hunting. He had the natural talent to work with wood. Together with his brother, he successfully built wooden boats specially designed to meet customers’ needs.
It soon became clear that their boats were of exceptional quality and so the legend was born. Their good reputation spread quickly and the brothers became increasingly interested in fast boats. The runabouts were born and Smith’s son Jay competed successfully in racing races and broke many speed records with his Chris Craft’s.
In 1884, the Smith brothers began series production of the legendary runabouts.
Chris Craft gained great fame for decades with the building of cruisers and yachts. The story began in 1874 when Chris Smith built a combustion engine into a wooden boat and the legend of Chris Craft was born. The last wooden boat was built in 1972. After that only plastic boats were built because of the simplified processing and the possibility to produce new forms. In 2001 the rebirth of the Chris Craft brand took place. Stephen Julius and Stephen Heese took over the company and gave it a new impulse and direction with new nostalgic models. With the intention to stand out from the rest of the boat market in terms of quality, workmanship, appearance and use of materials.
Chris Craft,
A heritage of timeless beauty.
Chris Craft,
A thing of beauty is a joy forever.
Chris Craft,
A boating experience like no other.
Chris Craft,
Boats designed to inspire emotion.