Post-War

America's boat boom. GIs came home, the economy boomed, and lakefront recreation exploded. Chris Craft and Century scaled up production. Wooden boats were at their peak.

Historical context

The post-war boom brought wooden boats to the middle class. Chris Craft built thousands of runabouts. Families bought lake cottages and the boats to go with them. This was the peak — beautiful wooden boats were accessible, and the infrastructure to maintain them existed. It wouldn't last.

Defining characteristics

• • Peak mahogany production
• • Standardized production lines
• • Barrel-back and triple-cockpit designs
• • Powerful V8 marine engines
• • Chrome and styling influenced by cars