1955 Trailorboat aluminum runabout

[nagel88]

I've had this boat for two years and wonder if anyone out there can give me some background on it. I've contacted Klamath, who bought out Trailorboat, and while they were very gracious, they had little to offer as far as history.

 

[Boatist]

Re: 1955 Trailorboat aluminum runabout

The Aluminum boat called Klamath had it beginning in 1947. The Trailorboat Company using knowledge gathered from from the aircraft industry durning World War II began construction in San Rafael Calfiornia. Durning the first several years, the Klamath was designed with a flat bottom while riveting the internal supports to the bottom and the sides.<br />Klamath boats were sold to customers in the Western U.S. and through the Montgomery Wards Catalog Stores.<br />In 1970, production moved to Sonoma, California to a larger facilities. The Klamath product and name bacame the industry standard. California and West Fisherman specified the Klamath as their first choice for a fishing boat. <br /><br />1978 Marked the first year Klamath began welding their boats. Klamath developed a chine that woulds accept both the bottom and the side panels for interior welds. The chine provided stability and ease of planning. It planes faster and with less HP than the competitors. It is also faster and the driest ride available.<br /><br />Klamath's name became so popular that the company reincorporated as the Klamath Boat Company, inc.<br /><br />Klamath moved it manufacturing facilities to brand new building in American Canyon, Napa County, California<br /><br />I don't know that I can add much but I have owned both. First thing you will find that it is only a West Coast boat. Most east of California have never herd of either. Older Trailorboats had wood gunnels and transoms were also wood. All the boats used Rivets and were light and somewhat narrow. Klamath changed the boats over time to have aluminum Gunnels then the transom changed over. Hulls became wider and they started welding. After that they started molding the hull to have a formed hull and shapes to support the hull. Older boats used cross members to support the hull. Today Klamth is one of the best small boats and the hulls have a modified V in the front then flatten out near the stern. They ride good and are all welded. I think the best Aluminum boats under under 20 feet, but then today there are lots of good small aluminum boats. I am pretty sure Klamth was the very first to weld the hulls. I would not buy one with rivets.<br /><br /> http://www.klamathboats.com/

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1955 Trailorboat aluminum runabout

very interesting. i love my 63 lone star commander, similar to their 14' deluxe. but chryler corp. bought and ruined a great boat with losts of history also.

 

[nagel88]

Re: 1955 Trailorboat aluminum runabout

Thanks for that history. When I contacted Klamath they emailed me a couple photos of boats on the factory floor. All were open bow and not a runabout in sight, although the hull was just the same. I've never seen another one like it.<br />I agree about rivets versus welds. After 50 years of use, it's taken continued effort to try to keep this as watertight as possible. A bilge pump is a life-or-death necessity.<br />The hull is as you describe with lateral ribs inside and lengthwise ribs on the bottom. For the most part it is flat bottomed, finally coming to a V in the front. It's pretty stable for a narrow boat, but it doesn't make a good speed boat in my opinion. Once on plane, it likes to go in a straight line, but turning takes a lot of effort on the steering wheel.<br />Still, it makes a nice fishing boat, roomy enough for two, but a bit cozy for three. And it never fails to turn heads!

 

[Boatist]

Re: 1955 Trailorboat aluminum runabout

I still own my 1967 14 foot Klamath Delux but do not use it much today. I tightened a lot of rivets over the years and installed a bildge pump. Hot summer days not to bad do not need the bildge pump but cold foggy fishing all day in the bays bildge pump helps alot. Most Klamath were open bow and tiller stearing. I did include the Klamath site where you can see a PDF 2006 models but most are still open bows.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1955 Trailorboat aluminum runabout

i never done anything to my lone star other than paint and replace transom lumber after 42 years.