bcassedy wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2017 10:44 am
One other note on the demise of the Marinette brand. The company originally was making airplanes during WWII. Once the war ended, the factory at Standiford field in Louisville (a hanger) was converted to building Big M's. Eventually, Standiford expanded and the company was going to be booted from their then location to make way for airport improvements. It was then, as mentioned by Joe above, that the recession played a significant part in the sale of the brand to the houseboat company in Tenn. And I believe the "luxury boat" tax imposed by the feds at the time also was a major contributor. There were a large number of boat makers who went belly up because they couldn't move their product.
Bill
Bill, spot on about the airport expansion in Louisville. Aluminum Cruisers lost their lease on the Hanger where the Big M's were being built. Supposedly HouseBoat Corp of America which changed their name to Boating Corp of America after purchasing Marinette looked at options for plant opportunities in both Louisville and Tennessee. They felt it was a better business decision to bring the Big M manufacturing to Tennessee beside their Harbormaster Houseboat Production to save costs. I heard they only brough two or 3 people from production in Louisville. There are really no good records....
Yes the economy crash and luxury tax killed many many pleasure craft manufacturers
John
1991 41 Marquis Convertible "Running on Water"
454 Crusaders
barkleydave wrote: ↑Wed Mar 22, 2017 8:00 am
Pluckerbaum in Louisville is still in production and builds in my opinion the best quality luxury Aluminum boats in the world!
$$$ but look how long our Ms have been on the water and still going strong !
If you have the means and are let's say in your 40's buying a new Plucker would be the last yacht you would ever have to own.
Feast your eyes on these!!! Aluminum Cruisers were good friends with Plucker and many constructions practices were similar.
Correction Dave. Dennis Pluckebaum hasn't build a boat in several years. He only does maintenance on Plucky's anymore. The economy crash in the early 90's killed his business as well. He would build a boat for you but no one has requested one in years. I wish he was still manufacturing them. Great boats. Cost would likely be crazy today.
John
1991 41 Marquis Convertible "Running on Water"
454 Crusaders
David wrote: ↑Thu May 27, 2021 10:53 pm
Hi, I recently purchased a 1985 39’ sedan bridge ... I see a number of the aft. Cabin models, but does anyone know how many of the 39’s were built?
Thanks!
David
From what I understand, there were never really any good records of numbers of boats and models built. I did read an article from the early 1970's that they built around 200 Big M's per year. This information was in an article about their 41' Houseboat which they built very few of.
John
1991 41 Marquis Convertible "Running on Water"
454 Crusaders
What I wrote is what I learned from this forum years ago. Having worked for American Airlines (a lifetime ago???) here in 'Zinzinnati' I had some airline contacts in Louisville who corroborated the story. Just goes to show you, what you learn thru this forum is gold, and it's best to pass that knowledge on to others as they become acquainted with 's!
Now, if my children just follow thru on that nugget...
Bill
Bill & Sharon Cassedy
"Sunset Seeker"
'88 32' Sedan Bridge to be sold (updtd 1-1-22)
"Sunset Seeker Too" (SS2)
'88 41' Marquis hardtop. (as of 1/1/22)
Located in Aurora, In.
Always fresh water.
Seen lots of 37's, mine being one. I have only seen one 39 sedan bridge, a fella that would come to the Great Lakes Marinette Rendezvous on Lake Erie, had one with red trim. I knew he was planning on selling. Is that the one you bought? I believe her name was "Right Time".
Jim Elias
1974 37' SedanFlybridge
Twin 360 Chryslers.
Marblehead, Ohio
What I wrote is what I learned from this forum years ago. Having worked for American Airlines (a lifetime ago???) here in 'Zinzinnati' I had some airline contacts in Louisville who corroborated the story. Just goes to show you, what you learn thru this forum is gold, and it's best to pass that knowledge on to others as they become acquainted with 's!
Now, if my children just follow thru on that nugget...
Bill
Bill
agree 120%!
John
1991 41 Marquis Convertible "Running on Water"
454 Crusaders
john, or anyone on this cool forum... what can I expect fuel wise from my 454’s per hour... I have yet to take my boat out for a run as I have been making repairs... Ian I correct in assuming it gets better fuel mileage than fiberglass?... thank you
john, or anyone on this cool forum... what can I expect fuel wise from my 454’s per hour... I have yet to take my boat out for a run as I have been making repairs... Ian I correct in assuming it gets better fuel mileage than fiberglass?... thank you