Wicker-Kraft, The Wicker Sisters Maiden Name.

The Wicker Sisters

Today we report from Salzburg Austria, no boating here, just lots of walking and looking for a place to sit. So we thought, hey, lets talk about Wicker Chairs. To be honest, I wasn’t all that clued into wicker chairs for WECATCHEM when we did the shout out a while back looking for a set,  and when you really dig into it, you find that director chairs were kinda the factory deal. But Wicker, or Rattan chairs were also an option, and look a little more elegant.

Set seen in Florida on a pre war 25 Sportsman. I fell in love!

Now, I had seen these specific wicker chairs out there and knew that at some point in the 1980’s someone had , had them made and they were sold to folks in the hobby. But didn’t really know the connection. Until I found some more on the brand Wicker-Kraft on the web. And it all came into focus. Are the chairs period correct? Not sure, should they have some leather or rub protection? Yes.

Original set on the internet.

Original ad for Wicker – Kraft

Another ad buried in an old boating magazine

The question today is, do any of our readers.. have an original set as a reference? I have remade the label for folks to use if they like to replicate such things. Or any of the relatives out there of the sisters. maybe we can have a family reunion. We can all sit around and talk about sitting around.

Not perfect, but if your chairs have this label on them, its close

But what other chairs are out there? Like this factory catalog photo from the early 50’s shows a certain design of Rattan. So whats right?

1953 Chris Craft catalog

Or is this the sort of thing that is like a cooler or cushion. As long as its something that could have been purchased back in the day of the boats period, it’s all cool. BTW, its ALL cool, but part of the fun is to add custom touches that would have been done when the boat was new.

/16 Comments/by
16 replies
  1. RH in Indy
    RH in Indy says:

    I’ve enjoyed accessorizing my’60 Cavalier and ’72 Martinique. Fire extinguishers, transistor radios, church key openers, cushions, coolers and thermos sets. They usually get their gifts for their birthdays and Christmas.

  3. tparsons56
    tparsons56 says:

    I’m guessing my 1924 Fay and Bowen may have come with a set of Wicker-Craft chairs being that they were both made in New York but unfortunately the chairs are long gone. I have been looking for replacements with little luck [director chairs just don’t look the same on a 1924 boat] so hopefully someone has information on this subject. The secondary issue, however, is that the average middle age person in 2017 has a much wider “beam” than they did in the 1920’s so finding chairs that fit on the boat that someone can actually sit in is a challenge!

    • Dave
      Dave says:

      Talk to others at boat shows who have chairs and other appointments you enjoy and ask for information regarding where certain items might be obtained. Curators at museums dealing with water craft are great resources as well.

    • Red Dog
      Red Dog says:

      I like the look of the floor grates. Are there any advantage/disadvantage to having them in the boat? I am sure the idea of being able to see if any water is in bilge. And also dropping coins or beverage caps inside could be a problem

      • tparsons56
        tparsons56 says:

        Besides looking good they lift out which provides access to the bilge. They also allow air circulation to an otherwise dark and damp area. So far no coins or beverage caps have gone through [yet]!

  4. Troy in ANE
    Troy in ANE says:

    Here are two of the wicker chairs that were on AB when we took over her care. The white ones were in the salon where we now have the futon and the dark ones were on the aft deck with a table and love seat.
    Are they original? I doubt it, but who knows.

  5. Tom
    Tom says:

    I personally think the catalog yacht chair pictured, is more appropriate for the boat. I like the wicker but they take up a lot of room and seem somewhat for and older boat and are not storable. Just my two cents.

  6. Mark in Ohio (sometimes da U.P.)
    Mark in Ohio (sometimes da U.P.) says:

    Salzburg and wicker. Two relaxing topics. What I have found with wicker a good cushion is important. It sounds kind of touristy but, Take the Sound of Music tour while in Salzburg . You will not regret it. Drink some Stiegl Its brewed in Salzburg. They served it on the tour. It made us sing better we thought.

  7. clayt
    clayt says:

    please, please, someone. i have searched a long time for a set, but still i am without. anyone know of a set for sale? the vertical legs are the key to fitting better in a boat.

  8. Denis D
    Denis D says:

    So should all Wicker sisters be paired with a “Dehydration Extinguisher”. That’s a really cool piece and it even has correct spelling!

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