Boston Whaler Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Boston Whaler will celebrate its 50th Anniversary. The chatter began in 1958 when Richard T. Fisher -- a Harvard-educated engineer by trade and a boater by choice -- in partnership with naval designer C. Raymond Hunt, first introduced the Boston Whaler at the New York Boat Show. No one had seen a boat quite like it before. Two features set this boat apart from the others. It had an odd-shaped body that resembled a seagull in flight rather than the traditional "V" shape found on most pleasure craft of that day.

Its body was constructed using the revolutionary Unibond construction process by which protective fiberglass skin and foam fuse to create a extremely durable and buoyant vessel. The talk continued in 1961 when Boston Whaler was thrust into the international limelight. In its May 19, 1961, issue, Life magazine featured photographs of Fisher sitting in a Boston Whaler as it was being sawed in half from below with a buck saw. Subsequent photographs depicted Fisher casually driving away in only half a boat. Thus, the "Unsinkable Legend" was born.

To meet the growing demand, a production facility was established in Braintree, Mass. Production of Boston Whaler boats soon moved to Rockland, Mass. where it remained until the mid-1990s. And although the brand is now manufactured in Edgewater, Florida, it still proudly carries the city's name and shares in its illustrious maritime heritage. The 50th Anniversary Celebration On July 29, 2007, Boston Whaler will introduce its 2008 model year recreational fishing and pleasure boats during its annual dealer meeting, appropriately hosted in Boston. The introduction of these boats marks the beginning of the brand's golden anniversary celebration. Festivities will include a series of events at Boston Whaler dealerships around the world, the appearance of Whaler's traveling museum at boat shows and other venues, contests, prizes, special promotions and much more.