The Alumacraft history began in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1893, when German-born blacksmith Eugene Tetzlaff opened what would become the Flour City Ornamental Iron Company. The small business prospered, surviving the first World War, the Great Depression, and then being pressed into service for the American effort in World War II, manufacturing bridge pontoons and aircraft parts for the U.S. military.

After the war, Flour City president Henry J. Neils found himself with a surplus of aluminum and a staff of skilled metalworkers. In an era of heavy, cedar strip rowboats, Neils' idea of producing an aluminum watercraft was a novel one. Employing the help of local boat designer Erich Swenson and the war-honed skills of the company craftsmen, the very first Alumacraft boat, a simple 12-foot rowboat, rolled off the Flour City assembly line in 1946. It was the industry's first example of stretch-formed aluminum construction.

Throughout the '40s and early '50s, Alumacraft boats soared in popularity. Canoes and duckboats had joined the line, and in 1954, the first Alumacraft runabout was introduced - the Merry M. Available in 14 - and 16 - foot models, the Merry M could handle up to a 30 hp outboard, and introduced the boating industry to the now-familiar "Aqueduct Transom," the self-draining transom splash pan.

 

Ensuing decades brought dozens of Alumacraft manufacturing innovations and model selections, including for a time, several fiberglass models. In 1970, the company moved to its present location in St. Peter, Minnesota. In the late '80s, fishing became the company's specialty, with the introduction of the Deep V Phantom, the Competitor and the Dominator, all equipped with the latest fishing accessories, such as aerated livewells and lockable rod storage. It was in 1996, Alumacraft's 50th Anniversary, that saw the advent of the revolutionary 2XB hull, the most durable aluminum hull in history.

Today, Alumacraft builds more than 80 different models of specialty fishing boats, supplying a market that extends around the globe. We're proud to build what we believe are the finest fishing boats in the world. And we'd be especially proud to build one ... for you.

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