Uniflite
Uniflite (United Boat Builders) was founded in Bellingham, Washington, by Art Nordtvedt in October 1957. Although the company is best remembered as a maker of recreational powerboats, its initial products were small fiberglass runabouts. The company also supplied river patrol craft to the US Navy Patrol Boat - River between 1965 and 1972 for use in the Vietnam War. Uniflite was acquired by Chris-Craft Boats in 1984 who continued to build the boats under their brand until they ceased production in 1989. After the company's demise, Art's son, Gary Nordtvedt, went on to found Norstar Boats. History Uniflite (United Boat Builders) was started in Bellingham, WA, by Art "Papa" Nordtvedt in October 1957. The first Uniflite boat an all fiberglass 17' outboard. Uniflite soon added a 14', an 18' and a 20' outboard and inboard/outboard boats, followed by a 25' express cruiser followed by a 31' and a 34' boat. Uniflite was the only boat builder exclusively using fire-retardant resins in the production of pleasure boats. In January 1959, the plant and office moved into the old plywood plant in Fairhaven, Washington (in Bellingham). This became Uniflite's permanent home. In 1962, Uniflite became a public company trading on the New