The Mail-Journal, Volume 19, Number 5, Milford, Kosciusko County, 17 February 1982 — Page 26

Today And Tomorrow — Wed., Feb. 17,1982

John Cripe built first stylish recreational pontoon in 1952

John Cripe is the “father” of the pontooning industry. He built the first stylish recreational pontoon in 1952. Cripe is owner of J.C. Mfg. Inc., a business which was started in North Webster in the fall of 1977. as J.C. Mfg. The business was incorporated in 1978. Cripe started in the business with Cripe Equipment Company in Wolcottville where Sullivan Pontoons were first made In 1968 when Cripe sold the controlling interest in Sullivan, he moved to Millersburg and built a plant there. By 1972 Cnpe left the Sullivan organization For approximately five years he was semi-retired doing consulting work for Sullivan In 1977 he started J .C. Mfg Inc Eli Lilly was one of the earliest owners of the pontoon boat on the lakes Lilly purchased the boat through Ken Harkless. who was the dealer for Cripe at the time In the early 1960 s Cripe traveled around the lakes and counted 120 to 130 pontoons docked at piers. J.C Mfg Inc purchased the property and equipment which was formerly the J and J Mfg and added to it the machinery and equipment for the production of aluminum pontoon boats. At the present, approximately onethird of the production is in special trailers These trailers are for the transportation of recreational vehicles or similar equipment plus special trailers for boats and golf carts The balance of the production -is aluminum pontoon boats, both outboard and inboard outboard boats. Year around employment for the corporation is 30 with college students being employed during the summer The

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When you buy a pontoon boat, you want the best . . . and the best can only come from a Master Builder . . . That’s what you get with a JC Pontoon built by John W. Cripe.

manufacturer puts out approximately 600 boats a year. The peak season is April, May and June. According to Cripe this works out well since he uses students during the summer and has the ability to keep workers year around. During the peak or summer seasons more boats are made than trailers and in the winter mainly trailers and boats are manufactured. Ail boats manufactured by J.C. Mfg. Inc., are sold by marine dealers throughout the United States. Cripe did add he has salesmen in Florida and California but his sales are greater in the local area than in the United States. Cripe is continuing his title as being the “father” of pontooning. by recently developing the Tri-Hall I O pontoon. This pontoon can run in speeds of up to 40 miles per hour and has the maneuverability of a 16-foot runabout. What's new about the Tri-Hull I O is the contoured outside pontoons are shaped to join the 28 inch center pontoon to form a complete hull, no exposed channels or deck to the rushing water The material used is a heavier material than most pontoons. The total carrying capacity is approximately 50 per cent greater than other two-pontoon I Os. AU pontoons are made with the standard salt water package or stainless steel. Cripe remarked his corporation makes the boats as best they can. “Most of our boats, if there are any problems, are 300 to 400 miles away. By building them the best you can you eliminate 80-90 per cent of the problems We’re still very competitive price wise and we can give that by not having to do repair work in the field.”

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Officers of the corporation are: President —John W. Cripe Executive vice president — Jerry Amsden Administrative vice president — Kim M. Cripe

. a fl VI 1 Jk 11 pl I tMJ - ? - f 1 •*■ flB * h j ilwiMMßnWWihagp «fl : FINISHING TOUCH — Randy Biglow, an employee of J.C. Mfg., Inc.. North Webster, is shown finishing the trim on one of the pontoon boats manufactured by J.C. Mfg.. Inc. John Cripe, owner of the company, is known in the business world as the “father” of the pontoon boats, manufacturing the first pontoon in 1953.

Secretary-treasurer — June Cripe Mr. and Mrs. Cripe have been residents of the Syracuse-Wawasee. North Webster area for over 27 years. Mr. and Mrs. Amsden have been residents of the Lakeland area for 18 years.

THE JC PONTOON — Built By A Master Boat Builder... John W. Cripe built the first stylish pontoon back in 1953. Since that time, he has led the industry with superbly designed boats. Innovations introduced by Mr. Cripe include the first adjustable motor mount, the hardtop canopy, stylish railings and the first easy load pontoon trailer. Over the years, he has become known as the “father” of the pontoon industry. These years of experience have led to the introduction of the JC Pontoon. This new pontoon has unitized construction, it’s smoother running, it lends itself to more speed at lower power and more efficiency at higher speeds.