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16 Ft Feet 1957 Crosby
16 Ft Feet 1957 Crosby
$8,000 (USD)
Boat ID: 42742
Contact us directly - 800-675-4089
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Crosby Capri is a three deck front cockpit steering fiberglass runabout manufactured by Crosby Aeromarine of Grabill, Indiana. This company was one of the early pioneers in the use of this new and controversial construction material. At the time, this synthetic (fiberglass) was relatively new and untested, although fiberglass boat models had made their appearance as early as 1950. Widespread acceptance by the boating community was not gained, however until the mid 1950s when companies began to standardize construction methods. At issue were weight and flotation. While fiberglass was strong, it was also very heavy when layered to achieve the required level of strength. Further, it would not float when swamped so sealed air chambers had to be designed into the hull and/or styrofoam blocks fastened to the seat bottoms as an early solution. In fact this late 1957 model sports a 3 cubic foot air chamber under the front deck which added 200 lbs of additional buoyancy. The wood interior of the Crosby also aided in providing additional flotation through the 1957 model year. A fiberglass interior appeared in 1958 and later models. What set Crosby apart from its competitors was the incorporation of strips of balsa wood laminated between two fiberglass floor layers. The 2 cubic feet of balsa cut into 1 inch square by 6 ft strips added a conservative 105 lbs of additional buoyancy which was twice a buoyant as cork. Additionally the could bend to conform to hull contours, and had great shock absorbing and sound deadening properties. Abner Crosby, the company's founder sold out to Archer-Daniels-Midland in 1958 and went on to found the Hydrodyne Boat Company which produced similar boats. In fact, his quality reputation caused most of the original Mercury 7 astronauts to choose his boats for their personal use. Also, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy ordered a Hydrodyne in 1963 for her family to use in their Cape Cod summer home.