Famous Craft Runabout Boats

Famous Craft runabout boats were built by the Famous Craft company from 1945 until the mid-1950s and from 2002 to 2010. Although, no longer in business, Famous Craft Boats are still available for purchase from used boat dealers. Runabouts are small, usually flat bottom motor boats that gained popularity in the 1920s, a decade after the invention of the outboard motor.

  1. History

    • Famous Craft Boats was founded in 1945 by "Grandpa" Lossie Rinker in Indiana. The first Famous Craft boats were designed, built and raced by him. The company was taken over by Lossie's son John Rinker in the 1950s and the name was changed to Rinker Boats. Since 2005, Rinker Boats has been part of the Nautic Global Group.

      In 2002, Lea Rinker, John's daughter, launched her own company and named it Famous Craft after her grandfather's company. In 2006, the company moved to Anderson, South Carolina and expanded its offering to include bay boats, pleasure boats, high performance cruisers, flats and deck boats. The company went out of business in 2010.

    Runabout Boats

    • According to runaboutboats.ca, a runabout "is any small motorboat holding between four and nine people, well suited to moving about on the water." Uses of runabouts include fishing, water skiing and racing. Common types include center console boats, deck boats, walk around boats and bow rider boats.

    Construction of Famous Craft boats

    • When Famous Craft boats were produced from 2002-2010, they were 100% wood-free and all composite construction. The lamination process was hand-rolled and used vinylester skin coats, as well as current resin infusion methods. The hull was strengthened and stabilized using foam-filled fiberglass stringers as reinforcement. The major components of the boats were made at the factory in South Carolina -- many boat companies contract out certain components -- which helped maintain quality and improve competitiveness. Famous Craft boats range in size from 12 to 27 feet. Runabouts are at the smaller end of the spectrum.

    Buying a Famous Craft Boat

    • You can purchase used Famous Craft runabout boats, and other styles, from boat dealers or privately. Some boat dealers may even still have a new final model year available. You can find many reviews of Famous Craft boats online in various boat discussion groups. The NADA Guides also provides detailed information about boat value.