What is Switzer Craft?
Switzer Craft was started in the basement of the Switzer’s Chicago home in 1946. Dave Switzer created a sailboat, but unfortunately it didn’t work well because it couldn't sail upwind. When Dave was drafted into World War II, he left the sailboat behind with his younger brother, Bob. However, he didn’t want a sailboat, he wanted a motorboat. Bob had a problem though, because he didn’t even own a motor.
He decided that he was going to save up and buy one for himself. In middle school Bob took on a second job at a butcher shop, where he made $7 a week. He worked for six months and saved about $60. He went to boat dealers in Chicago one Saturday and found a 1934 Evanrude 5.4 motor for $50. He bought the motor and wrote a letter to his brother asking if he could turn his sailboat into a motorboat.
With Dave’s permission and the help of their father, Russell Switzer, Bob built his motorboat. Unfortunatley, his boat wasn't as smooth on the water as he hoped it would be. While in Hawaii waiting to return home, Dave sent Bob and Russell a 13-inch scale model mahogany carving of a speedboat. Russel decided to surprise Dave by actually building his version of the motorboat. Russell was more of a mechanic, not a wood worker, so it was shotty craftsmenship. Upon returning home Dave saw the boat his father and brother had created and said he would have built it differently. Russell then told him, “If you’re so smart, then why don’t you build a boat!” And thus, Switzer Craft began!
Check out the about section to learn more about Dave, Bob, and the Switzer Craft legacy!
Featured below is a photo of Bob Switzer smiling with his trophies from the 1952 Nationals in Oakland, California
Bob Switzer had competed in Division Seven of his region in an attempt to qualify for nationals in speed boat racing. Unfortunately, Bob had motor troubles and didn’t place in the top three spots. Regardless, Bob’s mother and grandmother still drove him halfway across the country to Oakland, California, where nationals were being held. Out of the 16 spaces, eight of the qualified racers didn’t show up. Bob was able to borrow a motor from a previous contender and race in one of the eight open positions. The photo features Bob holding his trophies for winning first place in both heats of nationals, and breaking a world record for speed, a very fond memory of his!