As a conglomerate known for its industrial prowess and later, its significant presence in the leisure industry, AMF Corp. carved out a unique, albeit temporary, chapter in marine history. While not a boat builder in the traditional sense of designing and manufacturing vessels under its own marque, AMF's strategic acquisitions in the late 1960s brought several prominent boat brands under its corporate umbrella, impacting their trajectories during a period of considerable growth and change in the industry.
Founded in New York in 1900 as American Machine and Foundry, AMF initially made its mark manufacturing industrial equipment for the tobacco industry. Overview, 2 Following World War II, the company successfully diversified into the burgeoning sport of bowling, with AMF automated bowling equipment and bowling centers becoming highly profitable ventures. Overview, 5, 7 This success fueled a broader expansion into leisure-based industries in the late 1960s, which included a notable foray into the marine sector. Overview, 15
A Fleet Under One Flag: AMF's Boat Acquisitions
During this period of expansion, AMF acquired several well-established boat manufacturing companies, bringing a diverse range of powerboats and sailboats into its portfolio. These included:
- Slickcraft: Acquired in 1969, Slickcraft was a respected manufacturer of quality powerboats. Leon Slikkers, the founder of Slickcraft, remained as president of the division under AMF's ownership, maintaining a connection to the brand's origins.
- Alcort: Also acquired in 1969, Alcort was renowned for its popular small sailboats, particularly the iconic Sunfish and Sailfish models. Under AMF, the Alcort operations were branded as the "AMF/Alcort Division," continuing the production of these beloved sailing dinghies.
- Hatteras Yachts: In 1972, AMF acquired Hatteras Yachts, a significant move given Hatteras's pioneering role in fiberglass sportfishing and motor yachts. Hatteras had revolutionized the industry with its first fiberglass yacht, the "Knit Wits," in 1959.
- Crestliner: From 1972 to 1981, AMF also operated the Crestliner line, which produced both aluminum and fiberglass vessels, including bowriders and cuddy boats.
Under AMF's ownership, these brands, while retaining their individual identities, benefited from the financial backing and corporate structure of a large conglomerate. This period likely facilitated increased production capabilities and broader market reach for some of these companies.
Shifting Tides: Divestment and Beyond
AMF's tenure as a major player in the marine industry proved to be a relatively short-lived chapter. By 1985, a Minnesota-based company called Minstar, Inc., led by Irwin L. Jacobs, acquired AMF. Overview, 33 Minstar's strategy was to refocus AMF on its core strength: bowling, leading to the divestiture of most of its other divisions, including its leisure and marine holdings. Overview, 3, 16, 34
The boat brands previously under the AMF umbrella embarked on new paths:
- Hatteras Yachts was sold by AMF to Irwin Jacobs in 1985, who later sold it to Brunswick, before it changed hands to Versa Capital, and most recently, to Bass Pro Shops' White River Marine Group.
- The Slickcraft brand was repurchased by the Slikkers family in 1983, who had by then established S2 Yachts, bringing the brand back under its founding family's control.
- The Alcort sailboat division was sold in 1985 to Loveless & DeGarmo, operating as Alcort Sailboats Inc., continuing the legacy of the Sunfish.
- Crestliner, after its period under AMF until 1981, continued its production and remains a prominent name in aluminum boats today.
AMF Corp. itself reverted its primary focus to bowling, with its later history culminating in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in November 2012. Overview It subsequently merged with Bowlmor, forming Bowlmor AMF, solidifying its identity with its original profitable venture. Overview, 10
While AMF Corp. was not a "boat builder" in the traditional sense, its period of ownership over a diverse and significant portfolio of marine brands from the late 1960s to the mid-1980s undeniably left its mark on the industry. It represented a phase where established, quality boat manufacturers operated within a larger corporate structure, influencing their scale and market presence before they continued their independent journeys in the evolving marine landscape.
