Rare 1960's, 14 ft. Elgin Speedster "Norma Gracey"

    Elgin boats were made in the '50s and '60s to be sold in the sports section of Sears Roebuck department stores. Back in the day, you could stroll into a Sears Roebuck store, select a reasonably priced little wooden boat, complete with outboard motor and Teeny teardrop trailer. Over to the finance dept. to set up an easy payment plan, that Sears was so well known for, stock up with some fishing and camping gear, and set out with the family to a nearby lake for a family vacation.

But who made these reliable, sturdy little vessels?

    Sears would source them from different manufacturers and contract a given number of boats to be produced for their brand (in this case, Elgin), under an annual contract. Penn Yan Boats, of Penn Yan, New York actually set up a separate company called "Angler Boat Co." to produce boats for Sears Roebuck, and Montgomery Ward Cruisers, Inc. of Oconto, WI. also made numerous lapstrake boats for Sears Roebuck.

     The owner heard of John through a friend of a friend, and brought it to us during the winter of 2013. This nice little boat was originally an open fishing boat model. After discussion with the owner, we have customized it to resemble a gentleman's racer.

    The owner’s father owned the refurbished 1953, 15hp Evinrude that powers this unique little vessel.