Utility
Big Red sister boat
Name/Title
UtilityEntry/Object ID
1997.059Description
1997.059 Boat Type: Utility Builder: Higgins, Inc. Original Power: Chrysler Ace Current Power: Original Length: 17' Beam: 6' 6" Date Built: 1947 One of the most innovative and exciting boat builders of the post World War II era was Higgins Industries. Higgins gained a solid reputation building landing craft, PT Boats and other specialized boats throughout the war years. Immediately following the conclusion of the war, Higgins introduced a full line of pleasure craft from 17 feet through 34 feet and identifying their heritage as "PT Juniors," building upon the company's wartime success. Andrew J. Higgins, the colorful president of the firm, was absolutely convinced that his new fleet of boats would set new standards for design and performance becoming one of America's major motorboat builders. In many ways he was right. Using technology developed during the construction of military craft, Higgins designed all of his boats to be built from plywood products providing strong construction without excessive weight. His construction methods employed the latest technology and resulted in lower overall production costs. The Higgins boats included many automotive features such as foot operated accelerators, Pontiac instrument panels, steering column shift levers and modern automobile steering wheels with horn rings to help prospective owners feel more familiar with the controls. Perhaps one of Higgins most distinguished features was their smooth, high gloss "automotive" painted finish applied over their plywood hulls. There was no hint of wood grain showing through their beautifully painted finishes. Higgins boats provided excellent, level-riding performance at virtually all speeds of operation. With an ever-increasing number of dealers, Higgins' production was expanding to keep up with demand when problems began to show up in their hulls. As the hull problems began to show up more often it didn't take long for word to spread throughout the boating community. Higgins stood behind their products and made repairs. However, rumors traveled fast and sales began to slow down. The problem was traced to a species of tropical wood, thought to be the equivalent of mahogany that was used in their plywood. When Higgins decided to produce plywood in their own factory rather than purchase it from a plywood manufacturer, they acquired large quantities of this tropical wood. It appeared to be a perfectly suited for the inner core of the plywood with the mahogany veneer on the outsides. After a few seasons, the inner cored deteriorated losing all its strength. Higgins made good on the repairs to their boats and changed the species used in their plywood, but the damage to their reputation was severe. These problems aside, the vast majority of Higgins boats were well constructed, innovative and very popular with their owners.Collection
BoatsAcquisition
Accession
1997.059Source or Donor
Rapp, Jr., William C.Made/Created
Manufacturer
Higgins Inc.Date made
1947Place
Location
New Orleans, LA, USAEdition
Model: Utility Sports SpeedsterNotes
Early Date: 1947 Propulsion: Inboard, Gasoline Engine: Chrysler Ace MPH: 35 0.0 Cylinders: 4 HP: 92Other Names and Numbers
Other Numbers
Number Type
State RegistrationOther Number
NY 2276 ATDimensions
Width
6-1/2 ftLength
17 ftLocation
*Cleveland E. Dodge Memorial Launch Building
Wall
WestRoom
Bay 6Building
*Don Doebler Collections Storage FacilityGallery
*Virginia & Fred Gordon GalleryBuilding
*Elizabeth & Bolling Haxall BuildingDoebler Bay 7, East
*Cleveland E. Dodge Memorial Launch Building
Bartlett Point Barn 4
Haxall Building First Floor Lobby