CHRIS-CRAFT: AN AMERICAN CLASSIC BY NICK VOULGARIS III

During the long, hot US summers, the upper crust find their way onto the cool, clear seas in gorgeous handmade boats like the Chris-Craft. Built in Michigan, these vessels are made to house a couple of Kennedys—with the children in the back and a much-loved chocolate labrador on the prow.

Since 1874, these varnished mahogany runabouts, with their sleek lines and stylish quality, have been the stuff of dreams for many. The name alone conjures up images of classic wooden boats waving jaunty flags, as well as unforgettable memories made on the waves, while the hulls are still made in the style conceived by the company’s founder, Christopher Columbus Smith. He clearly got it spot on, as the Chris-Craft has become an icon of the American outdoors, appearing in films like On Golden Pond and Mission: Impossible. And as the great Ralph Lauren says in the book’s foreword, these boats are still inspirational today. If owning a Chris-Craft is only a dream for you, it’s still quite a dream.