Correct Craft
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Correct Craft is a U.S.-based builder of powerboats primarily for waterskiing and wakeboard use. It was founded in 1925 by Walt C. Meloon as the Florida Variety Boat Company.[1]
History
Walt C. Meloon created the Florida Variety Boat Company in 1925. During the early days, the company built a variety of craft ranging from sailboats to powerboats to race 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 Great Depression, the company continued to grow.
During the Korean Conflict, Correct Craft, Inc. was awarded a government contract to build 3,000 boats, and they geared up to fill the order. However, an unscrupulous inspector demanded a bribe before he would approve the boats. The owners could not in good conscience do this, so more than 600 boats were rejected, and the company was forced into bankruptcy. Because they were men of their word, the Meloon family did not view bankruptcy as a release from their obligations. They started the slow process of rebuilding the company and paying back the debts they owed. It took 20 years, but because of their commitment to stand behind their word, they were able to repay each of their creditors in full.
In the early 1940s through 1957, the recreational boat business prospered and Correct Craft operated an additional manufacturing facility in Titusville, Florida, building boats of 18–55 feet. The advent of fiberglass brought new possibilities to the marine industry in the 1960s and Correct Craft worked with designer Leo Bentz to bring the fiberglass Nautique to market in 1961.[1][2]
In the 1970s, Correct Craft produced an array of runabouts, cuddy-cabin and center console models including the Southwind, Martinique, Cuddy Nautique, Fish Nautique and Ski Nautique.
In the 1980s, towed water sports surged and the company's Ski Nautique 2001 and Barefoot Nautique pulled many tournaments around the world. The company's push to position the Ski Nautique as the best slalom & three event boat in the world caused an increase in orders on Ski & Barefoot Nautique 2001's (2001 referring to a model designation then in use) and a decrease in demand on such other offerings as Martinuque, Dominique, Southwind, Sea Nautique, Cuddy Nautique, Fish Nautique, Bass Nautique and by the 1990's the company was only producing boats in the Barefoot Nautique (later known as the Nautique Excel) and Ski Nautique lineage.[1]
In the 1990s, the focus on having no wake suddenly shifted to larger & configurable wakes behind the boat for kneeboarding and wakeboarding. The Sport Nautique is the most important advancement the company made in the 1990's as they answered consumer demand for a larger boat with an open bow. Correct Craft invented a tower to add even more height to these newer sports and the Sport Nautique was the platform they ultimately used as their wakeboarding-specific boat, Air Nautique. This re-badged Sport Nautique was fitted with pockets in the hull that helped conform the wake when on plane at speeds of 18-22mph. Successfully receiving a patent for their tower device, the Flight Control Tower, combined with factory installed ballast tanks, led to the creation of the Pro Air Nautique, the Air Nautique and in late 1998 as a 1999 model - the Super Air Nautique.
In the 2000s Nautique constructed a new manufacturing plant, a 217,000-square-foot (20,200 m2) facility, located on the outskirts of Central Florida. Nautique also introduced a new saltwater capable package, the Coastal Edition, available for select models. Nautique also introduced the Ski Nautique 200, available in open or closed bow.[1]
Today
In 2000, Correct Craft purchased 137 acres (0.55 km2) 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 July 13, 2006, the first boat completely built from start to finish in the new facility emerged.[3]
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 is the oldest family-owned boat company in the United States.[4]
As of, Nautiques is in their 52nd year of being the title sponsor of the Masters Water Ski and Wakeboard Tournament.[5]
Boat models
Correct Craft manufactures three models of Nautique boats.
The Ski Nautique is aimed at three-event water skiers. The Ski Nautique 200 is the official tow boat of many water ski competitions and many world records have been set behind this boat.[6]
The Sport Nautique is for skiing, wakeboarding, cruising, and tubing and includes the Sports shift lever that gives the boat the ability to change the wake size and shape to accommodate different rider's needs and skills.
The Super Air Nautique models include the Flight Control Tower and the ability to fill the boat with water through three onboard ballasts to allow the boat to create large, rampy wakes.
| Model | Length | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Ski Nautique 200 Closed Bow | 20' 0" | 7 people |
| Ski Nautique 200 Open Bow | 20' 0" | 9 people |
| Sport Nautique 200 | 20' 9" | 10 people |
| Super Air Nautique 210 | 21' | 12 people |
| Super Air Nautique 230 | 23' 1.5" | 15 people |
| Super Air Nautique G21 | 21' | 14 people |
| Super Air Nautique G23 | 23' | 16 people |
| Super Air Nautique G25 | 25' | 19 people |
Notes and references
- 1 2 3 4 Correct Craft's Nautiques by Correct Craft history page
- ↑ Boating Life's interview with Leo Bentz
- ↑ Wakeboard.com
- ↑ MarineLink.com
- ↑ Masters Water Ski and Wakeboard Tournament site.
- ↑ Waterski Online virtual test drive review