There was a Chris-Craft factory very near where I lived as a very young boy. Later my grandparents lived near there. I can remember the boats lined up on the yard, the sound of machinery, and the smell of the mahogany wood. I loved seeing the boats. You can probably see how it could fire a young lads imagination. They later introduced fiberglass to the line, but not in the hulls. They molded the trickier curved pieces of the painted cabin sides and tops. For those interested in the history here's a link.
Remembering Chris-Craft of Chattanooga - 10/17/2006 - Chattanoogan.com