Uniflite

Uniflite was an American boatbuilding company established as United Boat Builders in Bellingham, Washington, in October 1957 by Art "Papa" Nordtvedt. The company began with small fiberglass runabouts and developed into a diversified builder of recreational powerboats, commercial vessels, sailboats, landing craft, and military patrol boats. Its permanent base became the former plywood plant in Bellingham’s Fairhaven district after the company moved there in January 1959. The company’s early identity was tied to fiberglass construction. Its first boat was a 17-foot outboard model, followed by 14-, 18-, and 20-foot outboard and inboard/outboard boats. Uniflite subsequently expanded into larger cruisers, including 25-foot express cruisers and 31- and 34-foot models. It promoted the use of fire-retardant resins, and reference material describes Uniflite as the only pleasure-boat builder using such resins exclusively at the time. This construction approach helped distinguish the brand in the recreational marine market, while its product range gave it exposure across several size and usage categories. Uniflite became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange in 1962. Public-company status also helped make it eligible for U.S. Navy work. Beginning in 1965, the Navy awarded Uniflite contracts to build Patrol Boat, River craft for service during the Vietnam War. These boats used twin Detroit 6V53 diesel engines and water jets, with reported cruising speeds of approximately 25 to 31 knots. Of roughly 718 PBRs produced overall, at least 418 were built by Uniflite according to the cited reference material. At the peak of this program, the company reportedly produced two PBRs and one 36-foot landing craft per day. Its military work also included other patrol, landing, and personnel boats, including vessels in approximately 14-foot and 50-foot classes. Military contracts broadened Uniflite’s manufacturing base beyond pleasure boats. During the 1960s and early 1970s, the company also built commercial fishing boats and sailboats. In 1977, it acquired boat molds from Pacemaker Boat Company and established a second production plant in Swansboro, North Carolina. This gave Uniflite additional production capacity and helped preserve manufacturing continuity when a fire almost totally destroyed the Bellingham plant in 1980. The North Carolina molds allowed the company to continue producing boats despite the damage to its principal facility. Uniflite’s independent corporate life ended in 1984, when Chris-Craft Boats acquired the company for $10 per share. Chris-Craft continued building many of the same designs under its own brand rather than maintaining Uniflite as a continuing standalone marque. Production of these boats ceased in 1989, marking the effective end of Uniflite as a commercial boat brand. After the company’s demise, Art Nordtvedt’s son Gary Nordtvedt founded Norstar Boats. Uniflite is therefore remembered both as a Pacific Northwest fiberglass pleasure-boat manufacturer and as a significant builder of U.S. Navy river patrol craft.

Uniflite began as United Boat Builders in October 1957 in Bellingham, Washington. Founder Art Nordtvedt initially concentrated on small fiberglass runabouts. The first Uniflite boat was a 17-foot outboard model, and the range soon expanded to 14-, 18-, and 20-foot outboard and inboard/outboard boats. Larger models followed, including a 25-foot express cruiser and 31- and 34-foot boats. In January 1959, the company moved its plant and offices to a former plywood facility in Fairhaven, Bellingham, which remained its principal location. Fiberglass was central to Uniflite’s manufacturing identity. The company was described in the source material as the only pleasure-boat builder using fire-retardant resins exclusively in its production. Alongside recreational boats, it built commercial fishing vessels and sailboats, creating a broader product base than its reputation as a pleasure-boat maker might suggest. In 1962, Uniflite became a public company traded on the New York Stock Exchange. This helped the business qualify for Navy contracts. In 1965, the U.S. Navy selected Uniflite to build Patrol Boat, River craft for use during the Vietnam War. The PBRs used twin Detroit 6V53 diesel engines and water jets and were reported to cruise at approximately 25 to 31 knots. The reference material attributes at least 418 of the approximately 718 PBRs built overall to Uniflite. At peak output, the company reportedly produced two PBRs and one 36-foot landing craft each day. It also built other military craft, including patrol boats, landing craft, and personnel boats in sizes ranging from approximately 14 to 50 feet. Uniflite expanded its manufacturing footprint in 1977 by acquiring molds from Pacemaker Boat Company and opening a second plant in Swansboro, North Carolina. This additional facility became especially important after a fire almost totally destroyed the Bellingham plant in 1980. Because molds were available in North Carolina, production could continue despite the loss of the principal facility. The company was acquired by Chris-Craft Boats in 1984 for $10 per share. Chris-Craft retained and produced many of the designs but marketed them under the Chris-Craft label. Production ended in 1989. Following Uniflite’s demise, Art Nordtvedt’s son Gary Nordtvedt founded Norstar Boats. Uniflite’s historical importance rests on the combination of fiberglass recreational boatbuilding, Pacific Northwest manufacturing, and large-scale military production for the U.S. Navy’s river patrol program.

1. 1989Production ends

   Chris-Craft discontinued production of boats derived from the Uniflite range.

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2. 1984Acquisition by Chris-Craft

   Chris-Craft Boats purchased Uniflite for $10 per share.

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3. 1980Bellingham plant fire

   A major fire nearly destroyed the main plant, while the North Carolina operation helped maintain production.

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4. 1977Pacemaker molds acquired

   Uniflite acquired Pacemaker molds and opened a second plant in Swansboro, North Carolina.

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5. 1965Patrol Boat, River production begins

   Uniflite started building PBRs for the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War era.

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6. 1962New York Stock Exchange listing

   Uniflite became a publicly traded company, a development associated with its later eligibility for Navy contracts.

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7. 1959Permanent Fairhaven facility opens

   Plant and office operations moved into a former plywood plant in Bellingham’s Fairhaven area.

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8. 1957United Boat Builders is established

   Art Nordtvedt founded the Bellingham boatbuilder in October; the company later became known as Uniflite.

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A Pacific Northwest fiberglass boatbuilder combining recreational marine products with commercial and military vessel production. The brand was particularly differentiated by its early exclusive use of fire-retardant resins in pleasure-boat construction and by its substantial role in building U.S. Navy river patrol boats during the Vietnam War.

• Fiberglass runaboutsRecreational powerboats1957

  Uniflite’s earliest products were compact fiberglass runabouts, beginning with a 17-foot outboard boat and expanding to 14-, 18-, and 20-foot outboard and inboard/outboard models. These boats established the company’s reputation in recreational boating and reflected its emphasis on fiberglass construction and fire-retardant resins.

• Express cruisersRecreational powerboats

  The company extended its recreational range into larger cruising boats, including a 25-foot express cruiser and later 31-foot and 34-foot models. These vessels represented Uniflite’s move from small runabouts toward family cruising and larger pleasure-boat formats.

• Patrol Boat, RiverMilitary patrol craft1965

  Uniflite-built PBRs were shallow-water military patrol craft produced for the U.S. Navy from 1965 through the Vietnam War era. The boats used twin Detroit 6V53 diesel engines and water jets and had reported cruising speeds of approximately 25 to 31 knots. At least 418 of roughly 718 PBRs produced overall were attributed to Uniflite in the cited reference.

• Landing craftMilitary and commercial vessels

  Uniflite built landing craft for military contracts, including 36-foot landing craft produced alongside PBRs during the company’s peak military output. Its broader military range also included other landing and personnel boats in different size classes.

• Commercial fishing boats and sailboatsCommercial and recreational vessels

  Beyond powerboats and military craft, Uniflite produced commercial fishing boats and sailboats. These lines demonstrate the breadth of its marine manufacturing activities during the 1960s and early 1970s.

• 1984Sell the company to Chris-CraftM&A

  Uniflite’s independent corporate operations ended when Chris-Craft Boats acquired the company.

  What changed. Chris-Craft purchased Uniflite for $10 per share and continued producing many of its designs under the Chris-Craft brand.

  Aftermath. Uniflite ceased to operate as an independent brand, and production of the former Uniflite boats ended in 1989.

  Acquisition price per share. $10 per share (1984 acquisition)

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• 1977Acquire Pacemaker molds and add North Carolina productionM&A

  Uniflite sought to broaden its model range and manufacturing capacity through assets associated with Pacemaker Boat Company.

  What changed. The company acquired Pacemaker boat molds and established a second plant in Swansboro, North Carolina.

  Aftermath. The Swansboro facility and its molds later enabled production to continue after the 1980 fire at the Bellingham plant.

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• 1965Expand into Navy river patrol craftStrategy

  After becoming publicly traded in 1962, Uniflite became eligible for Navy procurement and received a contract to build Patrol Boat, River craft.

  What changed. The company added substantial military production alongside its recreational, fishing, and sailing boat businesses.

  Aftermath. Military contracts became a major part of Uniflite’s output, with the company reportedly building at least 418 PBRs and other patrol, landing, and personnel boats.

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• 1989Uniflite-derived production ends under Chris-Craft

  Chris-Craft stopped producing the former Uniflite boats, ending the brand’s commercial production history.

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• 1984Chris-Craft acquires Uniflite

  Chris-Craft Boats acquired Uniflite for $10 per share and subsequently produced many of its designs under the Chris-Craft name.

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• 1980Fire severely damages Uniflite’s Bellingham plant

  A fire almost completely destroyed the Bellingham plant, but production continued using molds held at the Swansboro facility.

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• 1977Uniflite acquires Pacemaker boat molds

  The company acquired molds from Pacemaker Boat Company and established a second production facility in Swansboro, North Carolina.

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• 1965U.S. Navy awards Uniflite Patrol Boat, River contract

  Uniflite began producing river patrol craft for the U.S. Navy, including boats used during the Vietnam War.

  OtherProduct launch
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• 1962Uniflite becomes publicly traded

  Uniflite began trading on the New York Stock Exchange, supporting its eligibility for U.S. Navy procurement.

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• 1959Uniflite moves to its permanent Bellingham facility

  The company moved its plant and offices into a former plywood plant in Fairhaven, Bellingham, which became its principal home.

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• 1957Uniflite is founded in Bellingham

  Art Nordtvedt established United Boat Builders, later known as Uniflite, in Bellingham, Washington.

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1. Uniflite