Identifying Lone Star Aluminum Boats: Big Fisherman Models

Lone Star Boat Manufacturing was founded in 1945 by brothers Lamar and William Moody in Grand Prairie, Texas. The company was short-lived under their ownership, as it was purchased by R. W. McDonnel in 1946. Lone Star boats were made of aluminum, and one of their models was the Big Fisherman. Lone Star's records were reportedly destroyed by Chrysler, making it difficult to identify the year of a particular model. However, some ways to identify a Lone Star boat include examining the ID tag on the transom, looking for a unique model/serial number stamped into the hull, and considering the boat's physical characteristics and comparing them to known Lone Star models.

Lone Star Boat Manufacturing was founded in 1945 by the Moody brothers in Texas

Lone Star Boat Manufacturing was founded in 1945 by brothers Lamar and William Moody in Grand Prairie, Texas. The Moody brothers started the company just after the end of WWII, and it didn't stay with its founders for very long. In fact, the very next year, in 1946, the company was purchased by R. W. McDonnel.

With humble beginnings in a 30'x100' building, an impressive six models were produced initially, ranging from 12 to 14 ft. in length. 550 units were produced by 30 employees. In 1948, a new plant was opened at 1930 E. Main Street, and the employee count grew to 200. Many of the metal buildings still stand today as part of Fleming and Sons metal manufacturers. Also in 1948, semi-V bottom models were introduced.

In 1949, a large warehouse was added, and in 1950, Mr. E.M. Bishop became a 30% partner with McDonnel. 1951 saw 16 models offered, including the first aluminum sport runabout and the first aluminum cruiser. The first boat trailers were also developed this year. In 1952, a fiberglass facility was added, and the first fiberglass model, a fishing boat, was added to the lineup, bringing the total number of models offered to 18. Bob Hammond, founder of Glastron Boats, was the head designer of the fiberglass division.

Lone Star continued to grow and expand over the next decade, introducing new models and acquiring new plants. In 1956, Lone Star was purchased by Standard Steel Works Inc., and in 1957, the Tallahassee, Florida plant was acquired. In 1958, 22,000 units were sold. In 1960, the Plano plant started operation, but manufacturing was discontinued at Grand Prairie, Bremen, and Tallahassee.

In 1965, the Chrysler Boat Corporation was formed with the purchase of the Lone Star Boat Co. of Plano, Texas. The Lone Star name was gone, but Chrysler continued to produce boats with much success into the late '70s. The Marine Division was discontinued in 1979, and the outboard division was sold to OMC.

Lone Star Boats was purchased by R. W. McDonnel in 1946

Lone Star Boats was founded in Grand Prairie, Texas, in 1945, by brothers Lamar and William Moody. However, the company changed hands quickly, and in 1946, it was purchased by R. W. McDonnel. This marked the beginning of a new era for the company, as McDonnel steered Lone Star Boats towards growth and expansion.

Under McDonnel's leadership, the company started with humble beginnings, producing 6 models of boats ranging from 12 to 14 feet in length. These boats were crafted by a dedicated team of 30 employees within a 30'x100' building. McDonnel's focus on quality and craftsmanship laid the foundation for Lone Star Boats' future success.

In 1948, the company expanded further with the opening of a new plant at 1930 E. Main Street. This expansion allowed Lone Star Boats to introduce semi-V bottom models to their lineup and increase their employee count to 200. The following year, in 1949, a large warehouse was added to their facilities, further enhancing their production capabilities.

The year 1950 marked another significant change as Mr. E.M. Bishop became a 30% partner with McDonnel. This partnership strengthened the company's leadership and set the stage for future growth. By 1951, Lone Star Boats had expanded their offerings to 16 models, including the introduction of the first aluminum sport runabout and cruiser. They also developed their first boat trailers during this period.

Lone Star Boats continued to innovate and diversify their product line. In 1952, they added a fiberglass facility and launched their first fiberglass fishing boat model. This expansion brought the total number of models offered to 18. The company's advertising efforts also gained traction, with Lone Star Boats running the first 2 and 4 color ads in a national magazine by an outboard boat manufacturer.

The subsequent years witnessed a series of acquisitions and leadership changes. In 1955, McDonnel sold his 70% interest to the Continental Insurance Company of Alabama. The following year, in 1956, Lone Star Boats was acquired by Standard Steel Works Inc., with Theodore Eiselt joining as a plant manager. Despite the leadership changes, the company continued to thrive, introducing new models and expanding their operations across different states.

In conclusion, the purchase of Lone Star Boats by R. W. McDonnel in 1946 marked a pivotal moment in the company's history. It set the foundation for growth, innovation, and expansion, ultimately shaping Lone Star Boats' trajectory in the years to come.

Lone Star Boats was sold to Chrysler Boat Corporation in 1965

Lone Star Boats was sold to the Chrysler Boat Corporation in May 1965. The sale included 1,000 dealers, three major distributors, a 340,000 sq ft manufacturing, office, and sales centre in Plano, Texas, and a 170,000 sq ft distribution centre in Shelby, Ohio. The owners of the company at the time were the Houston Fire & Casualty Insurance Co. of Fort Worth and the C. A. Sammons interests of Dallas.

The sale complemented Chrysler's purchase of West Bend Outboard Motors. The president of Lone Star, Theodore Eiselt, became the VP of operations for the new company.

The boats were initially sold under the "Chrysler Lone Star" label, and the company's sales shot up immediately. The Lone Star name was eventually dropped, but Chrysler continued to produce boats under the Chrysler name into the late 1970s.

Chrysler's expansion into the boating industry was driven by a new company president, Lynn Townsend, who wanted to increase the company's global footprint and expand outside of the automotive business.

Lone Star Boats were made of aluminium and fibreglass

In 1948, semi-V bottom models were introduced, and the employee count grew to 200. In 1951, the first aluminium sport runabout and cruiser were developed. In 1952, a fibreglass facility was added, and the first fibreglass model, a fishing boat, was added to the lineup.

Lone Star continued to produce boats made of aluminium and fibreglass until 1965, when the company was purchased by Chrysler Boat Corporation. The Lone Star name was gone, but Chrysler continued to produce boats, using the same materials, with much success into the late '70s.

Lone Star Boats were manufactured in Texas, Indiana, Florida, and Pennsylvania

In 1946, just a year after its founding, the company was purchased by R.W. McDonnel. In 1948, a new plant was opened at 1930 E. Main Street, and semi-V bottom models were introduced. The company continued to expand, and in 1949, a large warehouse was added.

In 1951, Lone Star Boats introduced the first aluminum sport runabout and cruiser, as well as their first boat trailers. The company continued to innovate, and in 1952, they added a fiberglass facility and introduced their first fiberglass fishing boat model.

Over the next few years, Lone Star Boats expanded their operations and acquired new plants in Bremen, Indiana (1954), Tallahassee, Florida (1957), McAdoo, Pennsylvania (1959), and Plano, Texas (1959). However, in 1960, manufacturing was discontinued at the Grand Prairie, Bremen, and Tallahassee plants, and those facilities were converted for distribution purposes.

In 1965, the Chrysler Boat Corporation was formed with the purchase of the Lone Star Boat Co. of Plano, Texas. The Lone Star name was discontinued, but Chrysler continued to produce boats under the Chrysler name into the late 1970s.

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