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History of StanCraft Boat Works

FIRST GENERATION STANCRAFT

StanCraft Wooden Boat Company was established in 1933 by W.H. "Billy" Young and his son, Stanley C. Young. Stanley later married Delores, and together they had three children: Joyce, Syd, and Bruce. Originally located along the shores of Caroline Point on Flathead Lake in Lakeside, Montana, the company became the first boat-building factory in the region. StanCraft quickly earned a reputation for crafting some of the most iconic boat designs in history. In 1937, StanCraft moved its operations to a newly built factory near Somers, Montana—the only boat-building facility in the state at the time. Stanley and his brother, Donald Young, ran the factory until the onset of World War II. During the war, Stanley relocated to the West Coast, where he oversaw a plant producing boats for the U.S. Coast Guard. After the war, operations at the original Montana facility resumed.

In 1948, StanCraft moved its sales offices and headquarters to Polson, Montana, just a short distance from Somers. One of the company’s most celebrated models, the 22' Torpedo, debuted in 1945 and was a true showstopper, capturing attention for its innovative design and sleek performance.

SECOND GENERATION STANCRAFT

In 1968, Stanley's eldest son, Sydney H. Young, and his wife, Juliette, took over ownership of StanCraft Wooden Boat Company. With Syd at the helm, the company entered the fiberglass era, producing iconic models such as the 260 Norwester, the 19' Veruna, and a variety of day cruisers. The 260 Norwester, in particular, became a favorite among boaters, and hundreds can still be found fishing the coasts of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, and Lake Coeur d'Alene.

In the early 1980s, Syd, Juliette, and their two daughters, Sydney and Amy, relocated the business to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The release of the movie On Golden Pond in 1981 sparked a resurgence of interest in classic wooden boats, a movement Syd credits with igniting the “classic wooden boat revolution.” Over the next two decades, Syd became renowned for his restoration work, bringing more than 250 Century boats back to life, along with countless Chris Crafts, Garwoods, Rivas, and other wooden boats from the era. Syd and Juliette built a thriving business focused on restoration, storage, service, and the occasional production of custom StanCraft boats—sometimes as few as one and sometimes as many as five per year. One of Syd’s major innovations in the late 1990s was redesigning boat bottoms to improve performance and enhance the overall ride. His modifications resulted in boats that offered a smoother, more stable ride, revolutionizing StanCraft’s design and performance. In 1997, Syd and Juliette sold the majority of their business operations to Duane Hagadone, including the property, service, storage, and restoration divisions. However, they retained the StanCraft name and brand, ensuring that the family heritage remained intact. This allowed Syd and Juliette to continue their passion for the business on a smaller scale from their home in Post Falls, Idaho. From 1997 to 2003, they occasionally built a new StanCraft or took on custom orders, enjoying a more semi-retired lifestyle while keeping the StanCraft legacy alive.

THIRD GENERATION STANCRAFT

The third generation of StanCraft Wooden Boat Company began in 2003 when Robb and Amy Bloem returned to Idaho after 12 years away. Their goal was to usher in a new era of wooden boat building, continuing the legacy of craftsmanship that had been built by previous generations. They started small, with a team of just three people working in a 2,000-square-foot shop located in Syd and Julie Young's backyard. Alongside them were Syd Young and Tom Baldwin, both helping to build new boats on "spec" as Robb, Amy, and Julie managed the office. During this time, the Bloem family also welcomed the fourth generation of the StanCraft legacy—River Bloem, born in January 2003. After about a year of working in the backyard, the business outgrew its humble space. In search of more room, the team moved to a larger 8,400-square-foot facility in Post Falls, Idaho. The new location was expected to last them a generation, but it quickly became clear that further expansion would be necessary. Soon after, a second 8,400-square-foot building was constructed on the same property to house boat storage. Within a year, that space was converted into a manufacturing facility, expanding their total workspace to nearly 17,000 square feet. As the business continued to grow, they also began developing new storage facilities in Hayden, Idaho. After 10 years, the Bloems launched construction on a new corporate headquarters and manufacturing facility, which would provide nearly 45,000 square feet of manufacturing space, along with over 136,000 square feet dedicated to storage and service. In February of 2016, they moved into the new headquarters, marking a major milestone in the company’s growth.

Since then, StanCraft has built over 150 custom large mahogany boats, 30 of their Little Boat series, and more than 75 Pontoon Editions. The company has also expanded into the dealership sector, starting three new locations in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and Portland, Oregon. These dealerships represent a variety of premium brands, including MasterCraft, Formula, Chris Craft, Manitou, Premier, MB Boats, and others. Today, StanCraft employs over 60 people and is on track to grow to more than 100 employees in the coming years. With its new facilities and continued commitment to quality craftsmanship, the company is well-positioned for the future. The StanCraft brand is gaining worldwide recognition, and Robb and Amy are excited to continue the legacy for generations to come, as the company remains dedicated to the pursuit of perfection in boat building.

StanCraft Boats. (n.d.). Our history. Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://stancraftboats.com/history/

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). StanCraft Boat Company. In Wikipedia. Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/StanCraft_Boat_Company

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