Lone Star

This is a vintage, 1957, 22.6 foot, Lone Star Cabin Cruiser. IT IS A HULL ONLY. NO MOTORS ARE INCLUDED. The boat does have a few dings and scratches in its aluminum hull, which would normally be expected on a 57 year old boat.

I was in the process of restoring this boat in anticipation of offshore tuna fishing, which would have required 100 to 200 mile round trips. As a result, the boat has been fitted with a 69+ gallon, custom built, bellow deck, aluminum fuel tank. This boat was originally designed with three openings in the hull for toilet, transducer, and drain plug. These openings allowed leaks but have been patched by a top-rate aluminum welder with years of boat building experience. The cabinet for the head is still in tact and could be equipped with a portable toilet to allow for privacy. The drain plug was originally in the center of the hull and would not allow water to drain completely from the boat. That hole was patched, and the drain plug was moved to the center of the transom, allowing the boat to drain completely. There is a Galley on board with sink. The stove was removed with the intention of upgrading but is still in the boat. The steering and controls for the boat were originally located outside the cabin, allowing for the cabin to be converted to a sleeping area. My plan was to eliminate the sleeping area and move the steering and controls inside the cabin, but I do have all the cushions that convert into a bed. The boat has recently been fitted with a new Miller Marine anchor locker, which allows for easy anchor deployment, retrieval, and storage. The boat trailer originally had California axles, the type used for moving mobile homes. I've installed two brand new axles with six lug hubs on the trailer. One axle is electronic breaking. The hull is rated for 120 horse power. My plan was to add two brand new 60 hp outboards. Dual motors would add stability. Also it allows for a backup motor should you have engine problems 100 miles off shore. This boat is so light weight that a single 90 hp outboard motor will make it fly across the water

I've invested many hours of sweat equity into paint removal in getting this boat ready for a new paint job. Current financial difficulties require that I part with this boat. I would not be doing so otherwise. The cost of acquiring an aluminum boat that is capable of offshore fishing is staggering. With the low cost of purchasing this hull, some labor, paint, new or used outboard motor or motors, and controls, you could be fishing the ocean for halibut, tuna, salmon, and bottom fish at a comparatively low cost.

Buyer is responsible for pick up and delivery.

This boat originally belonged to my grandfather and was last registered in California, December 31, 1983.

Lone Star History

So many companies got their start just after the end of WWII and Lone Star Boat Manufacturing is one of them. Founded in Grand Prairie, Texas in 1945 by brothers Lamar and William Moody, Lone Star Boats is a company that didn't stay with its founders very long. In fact, the very next year, 1946, the company was purchased by R. W. McDonnel. With humble beginnings in a 30'x100' building, an impressive 6 models were produced. They were from 12 to 14 ft. in length and 550 units were produced by 30 employees.

In 1948 a new plant was opened at 1930 E. Main Street. Many of the metal buildings still stand today as part of Fleming and Sons metal manufacturers. Also in 1948, semi-V bottom models were introduced and the employee count grew to 200.

In 1949 a large warehouse was added. 1950: Mr. E.M. Bishop became a 30% partner with McDonnel.

1951 saw 16 models offered. The first aluminum sport runabout was introduced. The first aluminum cruiser was developed. The first boat trailers were developed.

In 1952 a fiberglass facility was added and the first fiberglass model, a fishing boat, was added to the lineup to make 18 models offered. Bob Hammond, founder of Glastron Boats was head designer of the fiberglass division. Lone Star ran the first 2 and 4 color ads ever in a national magazine by an outboard boat manufacturer.

In 1953 Lone Star appeared in the Chicago Boat Show for the first time.

1954: The fiberglass plant was enlarged. 31 models were offered to the public. Bremen Indiana plant was aquired and the first inboard was developed.

1955: McDonnels 70% interest was sold to Continental Insurance Company of Alabama.

1956: Lone Star was purchased by Standard Steel Works Inc. Theodore Eiselt joins Lone Star as a plant manager. He later became company president in 1961 (May 23, 1965, New York Times). T. O. Tomlin was president at this time (Nov. 15, 1956, New York Times).

1957: Tallahassee, Florida plant was acquired. 17,249 units sold. Production of inboards was discontinued. Wild new Meteor model, designed by Bob Hammond, caused sensation at New York and Chicago shows. 35 models offered.

1958: 22,000 units sold.

1959: McAdoo Pa. site aquired. Plano Texas site aquired. 21,855 units sold.

1960: Plano plant starts operation. Lots of personnel changes took place. Manufacturing discontinued at Grand Prairie,Bremen and Tallahassee. Grand Prairie plant was vacated and Bremen and Tallahassee converted for mostly distribution.

1962: Production down to 16,769 units. Foam-Pac construction introduced.

1963: Model year eliminated from products. 16,474 units sold.

1964: Bremen plant sold. McAdoo plant sold. Tallahassee plant sold. Grand Prairie plant sold. First sailboat introduced.

1965: Chrysler Boat Corporation formed in May, 1965 with the purchase of the Lone Star Boat Co. of Plano, Texas. With the purchase came 1000 dealers, three major distributors, the 340,000 sq ft. main manufacturing, office, and sales center in Plano and a 170,000 sq ft. distribution center in Shelby, Ohio. Owners at the time were Houston Fire & Casualty Insurance Co. of Fort Worth and the C. A. Sammons interests of Dallas. Theodore Eiselt, formerly the president of Lone Star, became the VP of operations for the new company (Wall Street Journal, May 14, 1965). This acquisition complemented Chrysler's purchase of West Bend Outboard Motors. The Lone Star name was gone, but Chrysler did an admirable job with the boats and has much success on into the late '70s. The Marine Division was discontinued in 1979 and the outboard division sold to OMC.

History by Andreas Jordahl Rhude

Glass Magic was called Marine Plastics Inc. when formed circa 1955 by Bill Raschke. He was another employee of Lone Star Boats that jumped ship to start a competing boat building firm (Bob Hammond left Lone Star in 1956 to help start Standard Glass Products "Glastron" and R.C. McDonnell departed and formed Texas Boat Mfg. Co. "Texas Maid" about 1957 and Charlie McGill left and helped start Jayhawk in Parsons, KS circa 1958). Apparently Lone Star Boats was ripe breeding ground for other boat firms!

The McAdoo, Pennsylvania plant was projected to be completed by May 1960. It had a 160,000 sq. ft. space for production of 10,000 fiberglass boats per year and warehousing aluminum boats and trailers for Northeastern US distribution. Manager was Warren H. Chase. Also at this time Shelby R. Henson was named superintendent of the Grand Prairie manufacturing facility Jim Maloney, District Sales Manager of South Bend, Indiana won the company's 1959 MVP trophy. Roy E. Hughes was Lone Star's general sales manager. Ohter runner up District sales managers included Bill Gunter, Bart Ferguson, Frank Peters, and Steu Hopkins (April 1960 Boat & Motor Dealer).