Curly Craft Division of Northwestern Boat Co.
History of the company
Production began in 1936 by owner and founder, Art Crouch from his fathers garage. He originally began producing a 14 foot wooden rowboat and soon after began production on boats which could support an outboard motor.
The rowboats were small enough to ride on the roof of your car. Note the license plate year. 1941 and 1942.
Circa early 1940's.The boss, Art "Curly" (pictured on Right) working on a brand new CurlyCraft boat.
In the early 1940's production evolved to include runabout boats. Both outboard and later inboard models.
Later runabouts won many awards at local boat shows such as the Sylvan Lake regatta 1955-1956.
Production also included larger vessels for cruising. Note the Yager plainer and Dewalt saw utilized in production.
1958 was the last year for production of the CurlyCraft boats. By this time the company had adapted unique styling while maintaining the classic original design. Note the 1950's vehicles in the background.
Later years.
In 1986, Art was named the Commodore at Albert Lea Minnesota for the Real Runabouts magazine boat show. He showed the inboard runabout which is part of the sale.
An article talking about the end of the CurlyCraft production in 1958.
The production plant in 1939. Note the surrounding open fields which is now Southfield, MI.
A delivery of rowboats heading out to the lake using the Crouch family car. (1939) Pictured is 10 mile as a dirt road and surrounding fields.
A newspaper clipping from 1975 when a Hydroplane was sold and shipped to Greece.