The Lone Star Boat Company: Aluminum Boats' End

The Lone Star Boat Manufacturing Company was founded in 1945 by brothers Lamar and William Moody in Grand Prairie, Texas. The company was purchased by R. W. McDonnel just a year later, in 1946. In 1951, Lone Star introduced its first aluminum sport runabout and cruiser models. However, the company's production of aluminum boats came to an end in 1965 when the Chrysler Boat Corporation acquired it. The Lone Star name was discontinued, but Chrysler continued to produce boats with some success until the late 1970s.

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

Lone Star Boat Manufacturing was founded in 1945 by brothers Lamar and William Moody in Grand Prairie, Texas. The company produced boats in the 1940s and 1950s

The company was purchased by R. W. McDonnel in 1946

The Lone Star Boat Manufacturing Company was founded in 1945 by brothers Lamar and William Moody. The company was based in Grand Prairie, Texas, and started out in a humble 30'x100' building. However, the Moody brothers' ownership of the company was short-lived as it was purchased by R. W. McDonnel in 1946, just a year after its founding.

Under McDonnel's ownership, the company continued to grow and expand its operations. In 1948, a new plant was opened at 1930 E. Main Street, and the employee count grew to 200. The following year, a large warehouse was added to the company's infrastructure. McDonnel also brought on a partner, Mr. E.M. Bishop, who acquired a 30% stake in the business in 1950.

During this period, Lone Star Boats continued to innovate and introduce new models to the market. In 1951, they offered 16 models, including the first aluminum sport runabout and the first aluminum cruiser. They also developed their first boat trailers that same year.

The company continued to thrive and expand its product offerings under McDonnel's leadership until 1955 when McDonnel sold his 70% interest in the company to the Continental Insurance Company of Alabama. This marked a turning point for Lone Star Boats, as it changed hands multiple times after McDonnel's departure.

Lone Star introduced its first aluminium boats in 1951

The Lone Star Boat Manufacturing Company was founded in 1945 by brothers Lamar and William Moody in Grand Prairie, Texas. The company was purchased by R. W. McDonnel in 1946, and in 1951, the first aluminium sport runabout and cruiser boats were introduced, alongside the company's first boat trailers.

The aluminium boats were the first of their kind for Lone Star, which initially specialised in boats made from other materials. The company's first models, released in 1945, were 12 to 14 feet in length and were made from alternative materials. In 1952, Lone Star expanded its offering further by introducing its first fiberglass model, a fishing boat.

Lone Star's expansion into aluminium boats in 1951 was part of a period of growth for the company. In 1948, a new plant was opened at 1930 E. Main Street, and the employee count grew to 200. In 1949, a large warehouse was added, and in 1950, Mr E.M. Bishop became a 30% partner with McDonnel.

The company continued to grow throughout the 1950s, introducing new models and acquiring new plants. In 1955, McDonnel sold his 70% interest in the company to the Continental Insurance Company of Alabama. Lone Star was then purchased by Standard Steel Works Inc. in 1956.

Lone Star's aluminium boats were well-received, with one owner describing their 1966 model as having "a hull [that] is in great shape, and will probably outlive us all".

Chrysler Boat Corporation acquired the company in 1965

The Lone Star Boat Manufacturing Company was founded in 1945 by brothers Lamar and William Moody in Grand Prairie, Texas. The company was purchased by R. W. McDonnel in 1946, and changed hands several times before being acquired by the Chrysler Boat Corporation in 1965.

The Chrysler Boat Corporation was formed in May 1965 with the purchase of the Lone Star Boat Co. of Plano, Texas. The acquisition brought with it 1,000 dealers, three major distributors, a 340,000 sq. ft. main manufacturing and sales center in Plano, and a 170,000 sq. ft. distribution center in Shelby, Ohio. The former owners of Lone Star were the Houston Fire & Casualty Insurance Co. of Fort Worth and the C. A. Sammons interests of Dallas.

Following the acquisition, Lone Star was reorganised as the Chrysler Boat Corporation, with Adam J. Koch as president and Theodore Eiselt, formerly president of Lone Star Boats, as VP of operations. The new company complemented Chrysler's purchase of West Bend Outboard Motors, providing an integrated line of boats and motors.

The Marine Division of the Chrysler Boat Corporation was discontinued in 1979, and the outboard division was later sold to OMC.

The Lone Star name was discontinued, but Chrysler continued to produce boats

The Lone Star Boat Manufacturing Company was founded in 1945 by brothers Lamar and William Moody in Grand Prairie, Texas. The company was purchased by R. W. McDonnel in 1946, and changed hands several times over the years. In 1965, the company was purchased by the Chrysler Boat Corporation, and the Lone Star name was discontinued. However, Chrysler continued to produce boats with admirable success into the late 1970s. The Marine Division was discontinued in 1979, and the outboard division was sold to OMC.

The Lone Star Boat Manufacturing Company had humble beginnings, starting out in a 30'x100' building and producing six models ranging from 12 to 14 feet in length. Over the years, the company expanded, introducing new models, acquiring new plants, and increasing production. In 1951, they introduced the first aluminum sport runabout and cruiser, as well as their first boat trailers. They also expanded into fiberglass models, introducing their first fiberglass fishing boat in 1952. By the mid-1950s, Lone Star was offering over 30 models and had acquired multiple plants across the United States.

Despite the eventual discontinuation of the Lone Star name, the company's legacy lives on through the boats that continue to be used and loved by their owners. Today, enthusiasts can be found restoring and repairing these classic boats, ensuring that the Lone Star name lives on in the boating world.

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