On Feb 26, 10:53 pm, WaIIy wrote:
On Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:43:53 -0800 (PST), Chuck Gould





wrote:
On Feb 26, 8:19?pm, WaIIy wrote:
On Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:11:45 -0800 (PST), Chuck Gould

wrote:
In researching an article about one of our local boats, I wanted to
put the ?year that Tollycraft was founded into perspective.

Interesting trivial factoids.

In 1936,

Don't think so.....

?In 1946 he purchased a Central Lumberyard and Millwork plant operating
it until a raging fire destroyed the plant in 1952. That same year he
began Tollycraft Yachts with 8 employees. In the spring of 1959 the
Tollycraft Plant, adjacent to the Kelso, Washington Airport, was built
in just 90 days. History began and throughout 35 years over 6,000
vessels were built.

http://www.tollyclub.com/tollycraftfounder.htm

From the Powerboat Guide by McKnew and Parker, (Broker's edition).

(This introductory paragraph is always vetted with the manufacturer.
This is from the 1998 edition, but historical facts haven't changed
since then)

Quote:

Founded in 1936 by R.F. Tollefson, Tollycraft began as a small
regional builder of wooden cruisers aimed primarily at the Pacific
Northwest market. The conversion to fiberglass was made in the ealy
1960's, and by 1970 the Tollycraft line had grown to include a series
of sedan and double cabin models from 24 to 40 feet. By then
Tollycraft had become well known in West Coast markets and the company
began a period of prolonged growth. In 1974 the good-selling
Tollycraft 37 Convertible was introduced, and the 1978 the Tollycraft
38 Cockpit MY made its debut- then the company's largest boat. By the
late 1980's Tollycraft was seling its boats nationwide, and the compay
had earned a reputation as a good-quality builder of motoryachts and
sedans. Tollefson retired in 1987, selling the company to a group of
outside investors. With an economic recession on the horizon, the new
owners attempted a huge expansion of both employees and plant
facilities. By 1989 Tolly craft Yachts was in bad financial shape and
a turnaround specialist was brought in to cut costs and stabilize the
company. In 1993, however, Tollycraft was forced to fine bankruptcy
and the company wa shut down.

Last listed office address:

Tollycraft Yachts
2200 Clinton Ave
Kelso, WA 98626
Phone 360-423-51609
Fax 360-423-2607

*******

Why the discrepancy?

There's a good chance that Tolly built some boats on a small scale
before he expanded to 8 employees and a factory. Tolly must have been
factually able to say he had been bulding boats since 1936, even if he
didn't begin mass production until years later.

Odd, Since his name is R.M, not R.F.... AFAIK

I really doubt the 1936 date.

Mr. R. M. "Tolly" Tollefson was the founder and builder of Tollycraft
Yachts. He was born in Stites, Idaho on January 24, 1911. His Father,
Theo and Mother Mae Decker raised him on their farm. In 1919, when he
was 8 years old, they moved to Portland, Oregon. Tolly attended the
University of Oregon studying Architecture for two years. In 1933 he
moved to Kelso, Washington were he worked in Real Estate and Insurance.
World War II broke out and he joined the United States Coast Guard in
1941. Serving as a Lieutenant, he had many adventures including a tour
of duty to the South Pacific as Captain of a 150-foot salvage/rescue
tugboat for 18 months.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Did you follow the link to the interview with Tolly?

His personal explanation is that he began building boats on a part-
time basis in the 1930's, while operating a real estate office in
Kelso. The very first boats he built were based on plans he ordered
from Popular Mechanics. The boats that he sold in the 30's carried the
name "Tolly".

His part time boat building venture and real estate career ended in
1941 when he joined the USCG. Following the war, he opened the lumber
yard that your source cited. When the lumber yard burned down, he
decided to go into boat building on a full time basis and established
the factory.

So from different perspectives we're both right. The factory was built
when your source claims it was, but Tollefson built his first boats in
1936.