Wellcraft
Wellcraft LLC is a major manufacturer of American powerboats. It was founded in 1955, making wooden runabouts.[1]
Acquisitions
In 1982, Wellcraft purchased California Yachts from the Marshall Boat Company and in 1987 sold it back to them.[2]
Education programs
Wellcraft created the Wellcraft Saltwater Fishing School to teach new Wellcraft owners how to become better fishermen.[3]
It also created Wellcraft's High Performance Boot Camp to teach new Wellcraft owners how to get "maximum thrills" out of their new purchase while operating them safely.[3]
Product line
Its Scarab line of boats, specifically, the Scarab 38 KV was featured on Miami Vice.[4] The Wellcraft Scarab 38 KVs were a 28-hued, twin 440-hp boat that sold for $130,000 in 1986.[4] As a result of the publicity the show gave Wellcraft, the company received "an onslaught of orders", increasing sales by 21 percent in one year.[4]
In appreciation, Wellcraft gave Don Johnson an exact duplicate of the boat featured on the show.[4] Altogether, one hundred copies of the boat (dubbed the "Scarab 38KV Miami Vice Edition") were built by Wellcraft.[5] The Miami Vice graphics and color scheme, which included turquoise, aqua, and orchid, was available by special order on any model Scarab from 20–38 feet.[6]
Don Johnson also designed the Scarab Excel 43 ft, Don Johnson Signature Series (DJSS), and raced a similar one.[7] The Don Johnson Signature Series was powered by twin 650-hp Lamborghini V-12's, which caused some problems to the design of the boat due to their size.[7] Overall the boat cost $300,000 with each engine amounting to between $60–$70,000.[7]
References
- ↑ McKnew, Ed. 2008 PowerBoat Guide. American Marine Publishing. p. 469. ISBN 097735394X.
- ↑ McKnew, Ed. 2008 PowerBoat Guide. American Marine Publishing. p. 46. ISBN 097735394X.
- 1 2 Kovach, Brad (April 2001). Angling Academy. MotorBoating. p. 81. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 Davis, Chris (June 1986). "The Boats of Miami Vice". Motor Boating and Sailing 157 (6): 36–40.
- ↑ Benoit, Ellen (1986-04-07). "Just Like On TV". Forbes: 106.
- ↑ Cole, Tim (May 1986). "The Machines of Miami Vice: The car, the boats, the guns that make it TV's hottest show". Popular Mechanics (Hearst Corp.) 152 (5): 89–91.
- 1 2 3 Schryver, Doug (February 1988). "Don Johnson's new Scarab gets all the bells and whistles Wellcraft can muster, plus a few new tricks. You can own one, too – for a price.". Starship: 116–119, 202–203.