Old Boat ID - Sports Kraft?

[k05aggie]

Hi everyone. First post.

I bought this boat earlier this year. It came with registration numbers and a title for a 1956 Lone Star 16', but it does not look like any Lone Star boat I have ever seen. And it is about 18' long, not 16'. My best guess is that it is a Sports Kraft Cruiserette (little version of the Cruiser). The Sports Kraft Cruiser is the only thing I can find that looks remotely like this boat. It shares a lot of the design language but is not a match. What do yall think?

 

[mbullen]

100% agree with Sport Kraft.
However, at 18ft, I would wager Continental. It appears the cabin has been shortened.

edit: Hmmm....cruising around the Sport Kraft cruisers, it appears 18ft could apply to several models. The Continental can measure 18 without the motor extension, the Habana Express was available as an 18 in '58, and also the Cruiser-ette which you mentioned.
Definitely Sport Kraft, though.

 

[LDUBS]

The fact the LOA is so far off sure supports the brand could be off too. Still looks like a Lonestar to me. The cabin was definitely chopped.

Whatever it is, it is a pretty cool boat.

 

[mbullen]

Sports Kraft confirmed.
This one was listed as a 1958. No model in the listing.

 

[k05aggie]

Thank you both for the opinions and especially for those photos. It's a match. The cabin was chopped. I will build a helm, but the rest of the cabin will stay open, as it is now. I may add a partial bulkhead, but certainly no door. The shortened cabin works better for me. I still like it.

 

[LDUBS]

Thank you both for the opinions and especially for those photos. It's a match. The cabin was chopped. I will build a helm, but the rest of the cabin will stay open, as it is now. I may add a partial bulkhead, but certainly no door. The shortened cabin works better for me. I still like it.

@mbullen hit another home run on this one! He has a pretty good batting average.

I would like the larger open deck space too. This would be an interesting one to watch the progress. I hope you continue to share your work on the boat.

BTW, welcome to TinBoats.

 

[TexasJim]

About 1959, my dad bought a 12-foot Sports Kraft flat-bottom boat. After many years, he sold it to a cousin. In 2015, I ended up with it here in Rockport, TX. I tried to find out about the company and where he bought it.
I found that the comp[any built boats in Grand Prairie. Their North Texas dealer was Leonard Bros. Dept store in Fort Worth. I was able to get a title and registration. My younger sister was always pissed that my dad sold it. After a year or so, I gave it to her, and she took it to Ft. Davis, TX, not exactly a watersports area.