Correct Craft, Inc. has built boats that have served missionaries as ambulances in the heart of remote jungles and as towboats for ski shows in theme parks across the nation. This family-owned boat company has a rich and interesting history that has been captured in countless articles and books. Here is a brief synopsis of some of the more pivotal moments in its 82 year history.
Following the sale of his campground in New Hampshire and lured by the promise of inexpensive land for investment and development, Walter C. Meloon moved his family to a small town in Central Florida, called Pine Castle, in 1925. That year the land boom ended abruptly and W.C.’s plans to develop property vanished. Being an innovator and entrepreneur, and seeing a market for boats because of the vast number of lakes in the area, W.C. quickly recovered and created the Florida Variety Boat Company. During these early days, the word “Variety†was key because the company built a variety of craft ranging from sailboats to powerboats to race boats.
When they were old enough to travel, W.C.’s sons took to the road to drum up business for the company. Because many people could not afford boats at that time, the Meloons would set up boats on popular waterfronts to sell boat rides. To attract even more attention, two of the sons learned to fly glider airplanes which they used to circle their staging area so they could showcase their boats.
By 1936, the primary focus of the company was the construction of power boats and the company name was officially changed to Correct Craft. Despite the hardships of the Depression, the company continued to grow, developing a reputation for building boats of superior quality and excellent performance.
During the Second World War, the company’s reputation garnered the attention of the United States government, which desperately needed storm boats to support the war effort. Feeling a strong sense of patriotism, the Meloon family answered the nation’s call during its time of crisis.
General Eisenhower requested that Correct Craft build approximately 400 boats in fifteen days. That number was far more boats than the company had ever produced in such a short period of time. Nevertheless, through a combination of prayer and remarkable ingenuity, Correct Craft developed an innovative production process that allowed the factory to produce the needed number of boats in record time. This event, which National Geographic later dubbed “A Miracle Production,†solidified the company’s reputation as being a reliable, quality boat manufacturer.
In the early 1940s through 1957, the recreational boat business prospered and Correct Craft operated an additional manufacturing facility in Titusville, Florida, building boats from 18-55 feet.
The advent of fiberglass brought new possibilities to the marine industry in the 1960s. Correct Craft worked with an innovative designer named Leo Bentz to bring the fiberglass Ski Nautique to market in 1961. More than 45 years later, the Ski Nautique continues to enjoy a reputation as the quintessential water ski towboat.
In the 1970s, Correct Craft produced an array of runabouts, cuddy cabin and center console models including the Southwind, Martinique, Cuddy Nautique and Fish Nautique.
During the 1980’s, towed water sports surged and the company’s Ski Nautique 2001 and Barefoot Nautique pulled many tournaments around the world.
In the 1990’s, the focus on having no wake suddenly shifted to creating mountains of water behind the boat for kneeboarding and wakeboarding. Correct Craft caught the wave and invented an innovative tower to add even more height to these extreme sports. The patented Flight Control Tower, combined with factory installed ballast tanks, led to the creation of the Air Nautique and contributed to the development of a whole new industry.
In the year 2000, Correct Craft invested in its future with the purchase of 137 acres of land for the development of a new manufacturing facility. Construction began in 2005 on a 217,000- square-foot facility and two lakes— one lake for product testing, the other for tournaments and events. On Thursday, July 13, 2006, the first boat completely built from start to finish in the new facility emerged and a new chapter in the company’s history began.
After more than eight decades of experience and with members of the fourth and fifth generations of the Meloon family active in the business, Correct Craft has the distinction of being the oldest family-owned boat company in the nation. The family credits its strong religious foundation for the company’s continued success. The industry cites the company’s knack for innovation. Whatever the driving force, the net result is the production of superior quality boats by dedicated people who stand behind their work.
(Copyright 2007 Correct Craft Inc - cited from CorrectCraft.com)
