The Chris C. Smith Boat and Engine Company was in the custom boat business. At that time Christopher Columbus Smith, in his advertising, asked his potential customers if he could build them a "Smith Boat". In 1922, with the founding of Chris Smith and Sons Boat Company, began the history of the runabout known as a Chris-Craft. Being easy to handle, seaworthy and dependable, Chris-Crafts were the standard for luxury and speed. They were also reasonable in price. Their plant in Algonac, Michigan revolutionized boat building with its auto industry inspired production methods. As a result they became the World's largest builder of mahogany boats. Representative of their boats from the 50's era is this Continental Utility.