I have a really old Klamath Trailorboat 12 footer and your thread got me searching for more info....here's what I came up with.....

#2 November 25th, 2005, 06:42 PM
Boatist
Rear Admiral
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Sacramento, California
Posts: 4,229

Re: 1955 Trailorboat aluminum runabout

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Aluminum boat called Klamath had it beginning in 1947. The Trailorboat Company using knowledge gathered from from the aircraft industry durning World War II began construction in San Rafael Calfiornia. Durning the first several years, the Klamath was designed with a flat bottom while riveting the internal supports to the bottom and the sides.Klamath boats were sold to customers in the Western U.S. and through the Montgomery Wards Catalog Stores.In 1970, production moved to Sonoma, California to a larger facilities. The Klamath product and name bacame the industry standard. California and West Fisherman specified the Klamath as their first choice for a fishing boat. 1978 Marked the first year Klamath began welding their boats. Klamath developed a chine that woulds accept both the bottom and the side panels for interior welds. The chine provided stability and ease of planning. It planes faster and with less HP than the competitors. It is also faster and the driest ride available.Klamath's name became so popular that the company reincorporated as the Klamath Boat Company, inc.Klamath moved it manufacturing facilities to brand new building in American Canyon, Napa County, CaliforniaI don't know that I can add much but I have owned both. First thing you will find that it is only a West Coast boat. Most east of California have never herd of either. Older Trailorboats had wood gunnels and transoms were also wood. All the boats used Rivets and were light and somewhat narrow. Klamath changed the boats over time to have aluminum Gunnels then the transom changed over. Hulls became wider and they started welding. After that they started molding the hull to have a formed hull and shapes to support the hull. Older boats used cross members to support the hull. Today Klamth is one of the best small boats and the hulls have a modified V in the front then flatten out near the stern. They ride good and are all welded. I think the best Aluminum boats under under 20 feet, but then today there are lots of good small aluminum boats. I am pretty sure Klamth was the very first to weld the hulls. I would not buy one with rivets.