By Gene Dangel, Northern California/Lake Tahoe
Brothers Bob and Billy Campbell became commercial fisherman after WWII and settled on Catalina Island in 1948 living aboard their boat. Applying knowledge and experience gained in all types of boats navigating the blue waters off of the California coast, taught them valuable lessons about
performance, seaworthiness, and functional design. They set about experimenting with new and different hull designs adapting traditional deep-V ocean concepts with more traditional flat bottom pleasure craft.
In 1950 their first 21 ft modified V hull was introduced. To most serious Campbell followers this is considered the “original” Campbell hull design. The two brothers officially founded Campbell Boats in 1953 moving the operation to Burbank/Glendale, California to begin production of fiberglass over plywood hulls ranging from 17 to 40 feet.
The introduction of their new 22 ft “Catalina Weekend Cruiser” eventually led to the development of the 24ft “Cuddy Cabin Cruiser”. This was to become the most popular model representing 328 of the 831 Campbell boats produced. Members Lee and Sandy Chase’s 1964 24 ft cruiser “Creamsicle” is a beautiful example fiberglass/wood construction that ended in March of 1969. After that all Campbell boats were constructed of fiberglass. A hull similar to the Chase’s was actually used as the “plug”, with the addition of lifting strakes, to make the mold for the 24 ft Cuddy Cruisers.
Early on all Campbell’s were themed as high-performance cruisers employing v-drive propulsion. The Southern California “Hot Boat” scene was in full swing at the time and Campbell Boats was at the forefront of that movement. Although not as well known for their smaller flat-bottom run-a-bouts, several held 1/4 mile drag race records in the early 60’s. Because of their high-performance nature some Campbell cruisers made their way into endurance marathon and ski racing. One of the most famous, “Renegade”, is currently featured on the ACBS International website and can be viewed at www.acbs.org/renegade/.
The iconic Campbell design has become what is generically referred to today as a “day cruiser” and remains one of the most copied, recognizable marine designs. Bud Bailey, co-founder and chief designer of Spectra Marine, was employed as a designer for Campbell in the 60’s and is largely responsible for the 24 ft Cuddy we know today. NorCal/Tahoe members Doug and Barbara Reed’s 1977 24 ft Cuddy Cruiser along with Gene and Sue Dangel’s 1974, 24 ft Cuddy, “Makin Waves”, are fine examples of the all fiberglass models.
Most all Campbell boats were custom made to order. Everything was constructed in house beginning with the hull, full custom upholstery, electrical, rigging, as well as engine building to the customer’s specifications. Hulls could also be ordered “bare” in stage one with just the strut installed for the owner to finish, or in any stage of completion up to turn key. The factory would also install the customers engine or a choice of a stock 454 Chevrolet or a 460 Ford. At one point a twin turbo charged Gale Banks 454 Chevy was a factory option. I do not know if it is an urban myth or a fact, but like Henry Ford, you could get a Model T as long as it was black….but with a Campbell, you could get any color you wanted, as long as it was the color of a billiard/pool ball.
In 1970 the company re-located to Lake Havasu City, Arizona and in 1973 Campbell Boats was sold to Bob and Judy Whelan. They continued building and servicing boats until hard times closed the doors in 1984. The molds were sold, and Campbell’s were produced briefly under the Beismeyer brand and Ralph Tito name. They were re-acquired by Campbell in the late 80’s with limited production finally ending in 1997.
Some of the later boats were fitted with out-drive propulsion. My first experience in a Campbell was at Lake Mead in ’57 or ’58. We camped next to a family from Anaheim who had a split cockpit Hacker with a “full race” Merc flathead named “O – So – Slo. They were expecting three friends from LA all
towing Campbell’s. Off to the marina we went to find three beautiful Campbell double step cabin cruisers. The “Dry Martini”, The “Bloody Mary”, and the “Screw Driver”.
Naming Campbell’s after cocktails was popular with the “it’s 5:00 somewhere 50’s” party boaters of the day. I have never forgotten that first ride in “Screw Driver” with a souped up Caddy mill. When the Chase’s acquired their Campbell the first thing Sandy said was, “Gin Jug” needs to be wiped of the transom! Let’s see….five ball range….Creamsicle….yeah that’s it!!
There is a large following of Campbell owners in and around Lake Havasu that gather every September for an annual Regatta. Maybe someday we will make the twelve hour tow with “Makin Waves” and see what it is all about. When it comes to hot, performance cruisers, Campbells are the originals, the real deal.
Originally printed in the summer 2020 issue of the NorCal/Lake Tahoe chapter newsletter, Western Wood.