Posted by Barry on March 24, 2003 at 11:24:16:
In Reply to: Glen-L History posted by Rob Witte on March 20, 2003 at 18:37:20:
Culver Craft
Culver Craft was a mail order company that was created by an AP photographer named Ed Widdis. Ed was a real salesman who always had a ready story about the people he photographed. He took a series of photos of a 28’ cruiser that appeared in Popular Mechanics in the 1950's. The boat was designed by the builder and somehow Ed wound up as the marketer of the plans. Initially business was very good because of the Popular Mechanics exposure. Eventually, business slowed and Ed looked for more designs to sell. He approached Glen-L about selling our designs. Arrangements were made that allowed him to reproduce the Glen-L catalog with addresses and headings changed where appropriate to reflect his "Culver Craft" name.
Ed Widdis continued to market our plans over several years. Ed died quite a few years ago and Culver Craft disappeared.
Selling Glen-L designs through magazines and other companies was common in our early years, with a few dealers still selling Glen-L designs.
Barry