Horton was a “finisher,” fabricating and installing the decks, covering boards, combing, seats and other interior accessories. He began working for Chetek Boats soon after their genesis in 1947 and continued for a decade. Loren Horton, now a spry age 74, said that the company made truckload after truckload of boats for Montgomery Wards which sold them under the “Sea King” brand name. Chetek had to add a 28 by 150-foot building just for storage of boats for Wards. Boats were being built for Montgomery Ward in 1953. It was a mid-decked runabout that could beįactory equipped with windshield and steering assembly. In 1952, Chetek’s most deluxe model was the cedar strip Aqua-Flyer. After another fire in 1965 destroyed most of the boat works, a new structure was built. A 50 x 100 foot woodworking shop and lumber warehouse was destroyed by fire on 22 January 1963 and later rebuilt. Additional production facilities were built in 1950, 1952, 1954, and 1955. Vern Larsen was president, Emil Max was vice-president and Gwen Larsen was secretary-treasurer of the new company. The company letterhead at that time declared “It’s a CHETEK, by heck”, reflecting the down home attitude of the business! The first boats rolled off the production line a month later and the first “Chetek Boat” was purchased by Ed Holten. Work on renovating an existing barn near Chetek into new factory facilities began in April of that year. James sold the company and retired in 1947, therefore his son needed to find a new job. He had been vice-president and his father James Larsen had been president of Dunphy. It was headed by Larsen who had been associated with Dunphy Boat Corporation of Oshkosh prior to coming to Chetek. Newspaper accounts from The Chetek Alert of Chetek, Wisconsin in 1947 tell of the formation of a new boat building enterprise that year. Hoping to add to the economic base of the community, about thirty local citizens helped to underwrite the new venture.

Sherrill was the local Johnson outboard motor dealer and he had knowledge of boats and he wanted Larsen to head a new boat works. Sherrill planted the idea of a new boat works for the city in Larsen’s head when he visited the Dunphy Boat Corporation booth at the Chicago Boat Show in January ’47. Vernon and Gwendolyn Larsen of Oshkosh along with Emil Mix formed Chetek Boat Corporation in 1947. It was felt that an article on the history of this boat company was deemed appropriate, so here goes This boat is currently undergoing restoration by the Bob Speltz Land-O-Lakes Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society. Bob Speltz, he purchased a fourteen foot long, 1954 Chetek “Aqua-Flyer” in August 1976. Bid with confidence.According to page 34 in Volume IV of The Real Runabouts by Mr. There is less than one (1.0) hour on the outboard since restoration.Also included are the original rare bow flag and original brochures for the boat and outboard.There were only 7 known to be manufactured by Cadillac Boat Company of Cadillac MI, a subsidiary of Wolverine/Wagemaker Boats.This is one that you will have to see in person.Contact (810) 9 two two - 086 two for more detail or pics.We have been selling on classifieds board since 1998 with a 100% Feedback Rating. The 1958 Evinrude Outboard was completely restored also and includes an electric starter and choke, along with a bronze prop. The hull is polished aluminum and the boat deck is fiberglass painted in a 1958 Salmon Color as it was originally. Also included is a restored 1958 Gator Trailer.Use it, display it, enter it in a boat show, or haul it behind your vintage vehicle.This was a two year restoration with hardware being either rechromed or replaced with direct NOS hardware. You are viewing a completely restored 1958 Cadillac Constellation Boat, powered by a restored 1958 35 HP Evinrude Outboard.

1957 classic runabout boat for sale