Uniflite
Encyclopedia
Uniflite was founded in Bellingham, Washington
by Art Nordtvedt in October 1957. Although the company is best remembered as a maker of recreational powerboats, its initial products were small fiberglass
runabouts. The company also supplied river patrol craft to the US Navy between 1965 and 1972 for use in the Vietnam War
.
Uniflite was acquired by Chris-Craft
in 1984, who continued to build the boats under their brand until they ceased production in 1989.
After the company's demise, Art's son, Gary Nordtvedt, went on to found Norstar Boats.
Bellingham, Washington
Bellingham is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Whatcom County in the U.S. state of Washington. It is the twelfth-largest city in the state. Situated on Bellingham Bay, Bellingham is protected by Lummi Island, Portage Island, and the Lummi Peninsula, and opens onto the Strait of Georgia...
by Art Nordtvedt in October 1957. Although the company is best remembered as a maker of recreational powerboats, its initial products were small fiberglass
Fiberglass
Glass fiber is a material consisting of numerous extremely fine fibers of glass.Glassmakers throughout history have experimented with glass fibers, but mass manufacture of glass fiber was only made possible with the invention of finer machine tooling...
runabouts. The company also supplied river patrol craft to the US Navy between 1965 and 1972 for use in the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
.
Uniflite was acquired by Chris-Craft
Chris-Craft Boats
Chris-Craft Boats, formerly Smith and Sons Boat Company, is a defunct manufacturer of wooden boats. It was sold in 1960 to NAFI which would take the Chris-Craft name.-History:...
in 1984, who continued to build the boats under their brand until they ceased production in 1989.
After the company's demise, Art's son, Gary Nordtvedt, went on to found Norstar Boats.