The story of Texas Marine International (TMI) is intrinsically linked to the shifting tides of the larger corporate world. When the automotive giant Chrysler faced significant financial challenges, culminating in a United States Government bailout, it began to shed its non-core assets, including its marine division. From this pivotal moment, six executives from Chrysler's boat-building subsidiary stepped forward, acquiring the assets of the sailboat division. In 1980, they established Texas Marine International Inc. in Plano, Texas.
Their original vision was clear: to continue the production of the popular sailboat designs that Chrysler Marine had successfully brought to market. This strategic acquisition allowed TMI to immediately offer established and well-regarded models to the sailing community, leveraging existing designs and tooling.
A Brief Chapter: History and Evolution
Texas Marine International's operational period was relatively brief, marking a transitional phase for several known sailboat designs. The company inherited Chrysler's legacy in fiberglass sailboat construction, a material that had become standard in recreational boat building due to its durability and ease of maintenance. While the exact duration of TMI's operations is not extensively documented, it is confirmed that the company is no longer in business. This short-lived tenure saw the continuation, and re-branding under the TMI name, of certain Chrysler sailboat models.
Design Legacy and Identity
Texas Marine International's design philosophy and identity were largely a continuation of the brand they acquired. They built upon the reputation Chrysler Marine had cultivated for producing accessible, recreational sailboats suitable for a wide range of sailors. These were typically robust, family-friendly cruisers and day sailors, rather than high-performance racers or luxury bluewater yachts.
A key figure associated with the designs TMI produced was naval architect Charles Morgan. Morgan was notably the designer of the Chrysler 30, a sailboat that TMI subsequently produced as the TMI T30. By maintaining these proven designs, TMI offered a familiar product to a market already acquainted with the boats' characteristics and performance.
Notable Models and Enduring Influence
Texas Marine International's most significant contributions to the marine industry came through its continued production of several models previously built by Chrysler. Among these were the TMI T30, which was originally known as the Chrysler 30, and sometimes referred to as the T-30. Similarly, the TMI 26 was the successor to the Chrysler 26. TMI also continued the production of smaller, popular recreational sailboats such as the Buccaneer 18 and the Mutineer 15.
While these models were well-regarded in their time, the overall production numbers under the Texas Marine International banner appear to have been limited. Reports suggest that "very few were ever built" of certain models like the TMI 30, which can make finding them on the used boat market a rare occurrence. Despite the relatively small scale of their production, these boats represented a continuation of an accessible sailing heritage established by Chrysler Marine.
The Builder's Final Chapter
Texas Marine International is no longer in business. Its cessation of operations brought to a close a unique, albeit short, chapter in American boat building history, following its acquisition of Chrysler's sailboat assets in 1980.
It is important to distinguish Texas Marine International, the defunct boat builder, from other businesses operating under similar names today. There are current marine businesses, such as "Texas Marine," which primarily function as boat dealerships in Southeastern Texas, offering a selection of new and used boats from various manufacturers. These contemporary entities are distinct from the historical sailboat manufacturer, Texas Marine International. While the builder's time in the industry was brief, it played a role in ensuring the continued availability of some beloved sailboat designs after their original manufacturer shifted focus.
