Old Gar Wood factory photos

As many of you have read over the years, my job has me working long hours sometimes and all over the planet. But when its the holiday time, we shut the office down for two weeks. Everyone takes a break and gets some well deserved rest. And today, is that day we all feared would come at the start, and happy now that its here. I love what I do, and the folks at our shop love it as well. I hope. So I thought it would be cool to feature some of the working men and women that made our passion fun. Here is to all the boat builders, designers and community that started the world of power boating.

Gar Wood factory

More from the Gar Wood factory

Gar wood factory photo

Getting ready for delivery at Gar Wood

Eating a sandwich is always timeless

Rather artsy photo of the Gar Wood factory

Is that varnish? or coffee

Upholstery Dept at Holland Plant of Chris Craft.

The oldest photo of a Chris Craft known?

Working at Chris Craft

Hot shots

One of the first photos of a Hacker?

The Chris Craft crew

Couldnt help myself

Designer/builder Tommy Rybovich is shown speaking to customer, Mr. Johnson. Johnny is behind Tommy. Emil is standing to the right, alongside Pop. Photo shot in 1956. Charley Johnson was an extremely important Rybo customer who took a chance on the Rybovich boys by commissioning Hull #1. Mr Johnson commissioned 4 Rybo’s over the years: Hull #1, 8, 21, and 29

Working at Aristo Craft

Ray O. Wagemaker inspecting a Wolverine in the paint shop.

PT boat builders in New Jersey

Elco trial crew

Water testing the Elco PT boats in New Jersey

Lets get those flat heads painted OSHA? Dr , evertime I sneaze my snot is blue. MMmmm Is that a pre war blue??

Do you have your worker badge?

I do!

Lets not forget Sales and Service

Ya, it works! Got a light?

Fill her up? What? You pig!

The Rice Marine Railway in Reedville VA crew that built Sweet Pea – I wish these guys were still around

That time the Boatress worked on a boat. Rare photo

Chris craft workers working on Scarlet

Okay, put down your coffee, time to go to work. Except for all our retired buddys. time to go start doing something? Yes I am jealous.

 

 

 

14 replies
  1. Greg Lewandowski
    Greg Lewandowski says:

    Great collection of photos for this retiree to enjoy early in the morning. Thanks for sharing. I wonder what I will do today?

  2. Bilge Rat
    Bilge Rat says:

    Although we view these candid pictures with reverence to the people creating our boats, the reality is that most probably viewed it as just their job, nothing more. Perspective.

  3. Jeff Funk
    Jeff Funk says:

    I wonder how many of these craftsman/builders ever thought we’d still have a love affair with their creations half a century or more later. Something tells me they’re smiling somewhere.

  4. m-fine
    m-fine says:

    With the spotty days off it seems like I have had two Monday’s a week for the last couple of weeks. And now it’s Monday again? Ugh!

  5. Briant
    Briant says:

    Back to work. Yea, everytime I hear that phrase I now think of the opening lyrics to SpongeBob, uh, the racist China version…

    Honourable Chairman: Are you ready kids?
    Kids: Aye Aye Honourable Chairman
    Honourable Chairman: I can’t hear you
    Kids: Aye Aye
    Honourable Chairmen: OHHHHHHHHHH
    Who lives in a take-out box on the sea floor?
    Kids: Spongebob Squarepants!
    Honourable Chairman: Who loves his brainwashing and always wants more?
    Kids: Spongebob Squarepants!
    Honourable Chairman: If a strong Chinese Army is something You wish
    Kids: Spongebob Squarepants!
    Honourable Chairman: Then stop asking questions and get BACK TO WORK !!
    Kids: Aye Aye

  6. Mike U
    Mike U says:

    The lines on the Gar Wood sedan in pic #4 are amazing. Interesting to see the a couple of darker boards fastened to the hull in pic #3 – would they be distinguishable after finishing?

    • floyd r turbo
      floyd r turbo says:

      I was thinking the same thing Mike on the sedan, what great tumblehome with sweeping sedan hardtop. Wondered if they bleached the topsides to even out the stain.

  7. floyd r turbo
    floyd r turbo says:

    Retired? from my first career at 52, my second career at 62 and now at 70, I’ve got a built in bookcase fireplace surround to finish for a customer, scraping and painting the trim on my mother’s house, start a cosmetic resto on a Feathercraft and get the motor running and rerig and “retrailer”, then refurbish a C and C 24′ sailboat waiting if I can find a trailer, then I’ve got to find time to reside my house. Retirement???? Maybe this one man band isn’t the way to go.

  8. Mike VanMiddlesworth
    Mike VanMiddlesworth says:

    Love the article! It really hit the mark as I felt like that all day today. I love my job even though it’s keeping me from putting sikkens on my Teak. Keep up the good work.

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