This cruiser was built in North Tonawanda, N.Y. by the Richardson Boat Company. All Richardson cruisers were more or less custom ordered, and built from 1909 to 1962. The hulls of the various models were constructed, and potential owners could browse a brochure, and select the profile of the craft (side image, # of windows, portholes, etc.), and the interior configuration.

 

The Richardson factory would then build the boats over the fall and winter, and new owners were invited in the spring to pilot their newly acquired cruisers on a 7 day “Sailaway” from North Tonawanda, along the Erie Canal, down the Hudson River, to New York City. These Richardson Sailaways were a popular and festive event along the Canal. Many towns along the way welcomed the Richardson boats, and planned waterfront events, carnivals, and festive events during the boats' overnight stay at their docks.

 

It was the charm and charisma of the history of these fabulous boats that drew John and Cindy to acquire this Little Giant, and to devote a full two+ years to giving her a total restoration.

 

John had spied the boat in a Marina's shop near Peterborough, and 'worked on the owner' to part with it for well over a year. Finally, the timing was right, the elderly owner admitted that such an extensive restoration was, in all probability, not about to happen.

So a deal was made, and the Little Giant made her way home to get fully restored. Little did we know at the time how  many more boat restorations were to come!

Imagine our excitement later that summer, when a trip to Clayton, N.Y.'s Antique Boat Show had us browsing in their  flea market section, and we found an original brochure for 1935 Richardson's Little Giants! It was obvious that this boat was "Profile 1". During the restoration John skillfully crafted it to be a "Profile 2", giving the helm area a windshield, and a roof over the salon.