Cruising With Cruis Along

in The Cruis Along Sedan 31 made its debut of 1959, offering all the cabin-cruiser amenities the word the day (though not the final letter of a raised “cruise”). The convertible yacht had a woodbridge deck that was well protected by frame windshield and streamlined wheelhouse. to the Fold-back doors opened from the cockpit The Usaloon, with a sofa and carpeted sole. top and an shaped galley “up” came with a stove The master icebox, and a dinette that seated four. and an enstateroom was forward with a V-berth dinette closed head. The saloon sofa and galley six. converted to bunks to sleep a total of the Things appeared to be going well during boatlate 1950s for the Solomons, Maryland, in the builder that George Townsend founded bought 1940s. Century Boat Co. of Michigan perCruis Along in 1958, and the merger looked runabouts fect. Century was known for smaller bigger and sport boats, and Cruis Along built El Dorado cabin cruisers, including the 33-foot and the Bluewater 31. forces While optimism was high, economic The postwould lead to the company’s demise. failed war boom was slowing, and Cruis Along Cruis to turn a profit in 1960. Century kept pressure Along afloat for several years, but new demounted from other boatbuilders with probsigns and manufacturing methods. Labor memlems developed as workers sought union sold to the bership. Eventually, Cruis Along was company, Ventnor Boat Co. in New Jersey . That speedboats, known worldwide for its innovative the Cruis closed during the late 1960s, taking Along name with it. Along, There was an attempt at reviving Cruis in 1973. but the company finally closed for good by Robert To read a full history of Cruis Along Hurry, visit calvertmarinemuseum.com.