American Boat Company - Spokane, WA
According to Hull Identification Number cross referencing, American Boat Company (ABC) was founded on February 22nd, of 1973 in Spokane, WA by Roy Johnson. Out of the 3 major manufacturers based in Spokane that were producing very similar looking boats, the least is know about ABC. Today the American Eagles are among the most collectable due to the plush interiors and the predominance of Mercruiser inboard/outboards with V8 power-plants. The higher quality hull and deck quality found in some model years combined with the gold-flake finishes also do not hurt the collectability of these boats.
The final run of Americans was the 1983 model year with the American Eagle II. These boats had a much smaller production run due to negative financial, gasoline price, and mainstream customer demand occurring at the time. Although the prices of resins and fiberglass materials were quite unstable during that period, these boats ended up being some of the highest quality produced by the company.
The final run of Americans was the 1983 model year with the American Eagle II. These boats had a much smaller production run due to negative financial, gasoline price, and mainstream customer demand occurring at the time. Although the prices of resins and fiberglass materials were quite unstable during that period, these boats ended up being some of the highest quality produced by the company.
Whats with the Green engines?One source mentioned the difficulty ABC had sourcing inboard/outboard outdrives from Mercury due to the early 1980s credit crunch. As the story goes, a train carrying marine engines was involved in an accident that damaged some of the stock. As part of the clean up Spauldings Auto purchased the engines and in turn sold them to American. These green engines were fitted to jet drives and are still found today.
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The Later Years
After the company went out of business in June of 1981 and reopened to produce a few boats in 1983, Roy Johnson sold the company in 1985. The new company would be called American Boats and Spas with a seemingly similar business pivot to ABC's Spokane competitor Apollo. The new owners were Isaak and Joe Basargin out of Woodburn, OR. Based on U.S. Coast Guard boat manufacturer data the company as officially reassigned to the Basargin's in April of 1986 and was out of business again by June of 1988. The company reestablished production in March on 1989 only to shut down again for good in November of 1993. We have yet to see a boat appear that was produced during these on-again off-again periods of production.
According a one source, Isaak spend his final years in a monastery near Libby, MT with his brother.
According a one source, Isaak spend his final years in a monastery near Libby, MT with his brother.
Where are the molds today?
There are many rumors that have surfaced the marine and boating forums as to where the molds are today. Some believe that they are still in Oregon, left out to decay. Others have reason to believe they they never left Spokane. Meanwhile there is a half completed American that sits adjacent to the Prop Shop in Mukilteo, WA that may hold a story of its own.