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Crownline

Company Profile

The first Crownlines were built in a small manufacturing facility located in Whittington, Illinois. The upholstery shop was situated separately in a vacant grade school gymnasium. The first boat produced, a 182BR, rolled off the line on March 25, 1991. At that time Crownline employed less than 25 people and had yet to sign a definitive dealer. By July 1991, Crownline had grown out of its Whittington location and was forced to find a larger facility. The building used by the Mark Twain Boat Company in West Frankfort, Illinois had recently been vacated and Crownline chose this location for its next temporary home. Three and a half years later, in December of 1994, Crownline's new, state-of-the-art boat manufacturing plant was completed. This permanent facility was designed for better production efficiency and additional capacity for increased production requirements, allowing Crownline to continue its phenomenal growth. Since it’s beginning, Crownline has successfully introduced 34 different models ranging from a 17'6" open bow to a 33' cabin cruiser. At present, Crownline has produced and shipped over 30,000 boats to dealers world-wide. Crownline's professional dealer network consists of 150 marine establishments in the United States, Canada, Europe, South America and most recently, Russia. In addition to making an impact in the marine industry, Crownline has also positively affected the local economy, and with over 500 full-time personnel, is one of the largest employers in Southern Illinois. Crownline Boats, Inc. is a family-owned pleasure boat manufacturer located in West Frankfort,Illinois. Founded and incorporated in 1990 by the Claxton family, the ten year old company is one of the fastest growing independently owned boat manufacturers in the industry. The boating business is no stranger to the Claxton family who has logged over 40 years of successful boat manufacturing experience. He built this fledgling new company into one of the marine industry's "Top Ten" in twelve short years. This company was sold several years ago but the Claxton legacy endures with the inception and continuing success of Crownline Boats. The Claxton reputation immediately attracted several key production managers who were instrumental in recruiting the "cream of the crop" of Southern Illinois boat builders. These select individuals have used their skills and dedication to produce boats of the highest quality which has been a major factor in Crownline's success. In ten short years, Crownline has grown into a major international boat company with dealerships throughout North America and as far away as Australia and Russia by giving you virtually unlimited choices as to how your boat is equipped and styled and by building boats with uncompromising attention to details such as the ones illustrated here.