cooper yachts history

• May 17, 2022

Gone But Not Forgotten- The Boat Brands We Loved That Are No More (Part 5)

By: Richard Crowder

The West Coast Influence of Fiberform, Sun Runner, Apollo, Uniflite, Tollycraft, & Prowler

In my over forty years in the pleasure boat industry, there have been literally thousands of boat companies and brand names of boats in North America.

Some of these were and are strictly regional brands not known or recognized in the rest of the continent but many were national and even international brands known to most of us diehard boaters.

It is those well known and recognized brands that are no longer with us that I look forward to examining in this series. These brand names may still be corporately held in reserve but are not known to currently be in production.

So far in this series, we have explored boats that were made primarily in the eastern portion of the continent. There were many pleasure boats built in the west, albeit ofttimes they were designs quite different from those built in the east, and often more suited to boating in the Pacific northwest and its inland lakes. Here are some of those builders no longer with us.

There is very little information available about Fiberform Boats, a company founded by Don Barnes in Spokane, Washington, supposedly in the late 1950’s. But Fiberform is most worthy of a mention as its boats were popular throughout almost all the US and Canada in the 1960’s and ‘70’s.

As Fiberform grew, so did its lineup from small to medium-sized runabouts, fishing boats, to cuddies, and then later on to cruisers including hardtops, flybridges, and sport fisherman designs from 14-30 feet. It appears they eventually added additional production facilities in Spokane as well as in Kelowna, British Columbia, and in Edenton, NC. The Fiberform brand was well-known and in demand throughout North America.

In the early 1970’s, Don Barnes sold out to U.S. Industries, which was apparently one of the models of the conglomerate movement in the late 1960's. At one point, U.S. Industries had over one hundred medium-sized companies in its portfolio. By1977 Fiberform offered models from 15-28 feet with names like Sitka, Chinook, Islander, Bermuda Express, as well as a Bermuda Hardtop Sedan.

The following year it added a wide beam, twin sterndrive-powered 28-foot Tri-Cabin as well as a Command Bridge and Sport Fisherman (note that west coast builders at the time seemed to refer to any flybridge as a “command” bridge). West coast command bridge boats almost all had both upper and lower control stations. Almost all the west coast boats either in hardtop or command bridge designs provided a “sedan” bulkhead to protect the lower cabin from weather. West coasters liked to use their boats almost if not all year round.

Fiberform offered the same model configurations in its 28, 31, and 34 foot versions. All of these wide-beam models became Fiberform’s Executive Yachts and were built in a separate facility. They all became extremely popular in both inland and especially offshore boating environments.

They had a reputation for being strong, well built, and having a smooth ride. The severe market downturn of the late 70's and early 80's hurt Fiberform as it did most boat builders. Fiberform closed its other plants except for Spokane. In June 1981, U.S. Industries put Fiberform, along with 13 of its other divisions for sale. The Fiberform name disappeared in 1982.

Sun Runner Boats grew into a major national and eventually international builder in a very short timeframe. After Don Barnes sold Fiberform to U.S. Industries in the early 1970’s, within a few years his son opened a facility in Spokane, Washington and started building pleasure boats. It was always family owned and operated business.

Sun Runner designs featured unusually high freeboard (sides of the hull) and were reputed to be one of the first builders to have all-fiberglass stringers as opposed to a fiberglass coating over wood. They were also one of the first to utilize a fiberglass inner liner with foam between the outer and inner “hulls” acting as a structural member.

Sun Runner cruisers were recognizable not only by their high freeboards, but also by the seemingly overbuilt support structure beneath the large teak anchor platform at the bow. Sun Runners had a deep-V hull design resulting in a smooth ride in rough water. By 1984, Sun Runner was building bowriders, specialty fishing boats, cuddy cabins, hardtop sedans, express and flybridge cruisers from16 to 32 feet. Its goal was to be the “Cadillac” of boats.

By 1988, Sun Runner was running into financial problems with its bank and was sold to a local Spokane businessman. The new owner planned to not only continue to operate the brand locally, but he opened a new facility in Florence, Alabama with the intention of expanding their line of cruisers and yachts from 38 to a whopping 61 feet.

He apparently ran short of cash, and in early 1989 Sun Runner filed for bankruptcy. While looking for new owners the company was allowed to keep building boats at both Spokane and Florence facilities, but by 1991 the last Sun Runner boats were built. It must be noted here that the Sun Runner boats of this segment are not connected with the Sunrunner (different spelling) boats still being built in Australia.

Spokane, Washington spawned another boat company when Apollo Boats established a manufacturing facility in 1971. By 1974, Apollo was producing models from 16 to 20 feet in family runabouts, cuddy cabins in soft top, and hardtop sedan configurations. But what they became known for, at least initially, were their relatively high performance speedsters in 16 to 18 feet. These were exciting and very appealing boats available in sterndrive and jet drive.

Apollo had a solid western US and Canadian dealer network, and by summer of 1976 a very popular 25-foot “offshore” cuddy express model was added to the lineup. A plant expansion was added to handle production demand, and sales had reached the $6 million dollar mark at a time when the largest and most expensive model retailed for less than $5000. Dealers were added throughout Canada and the United States.

By 1979, Apollo was building models up to 30 feet, but both the financial crisis which generated unheard of commercial interest rates, as well as retail borrowing rates, and then the gasoline shortage and subsequent high prices all accumulated to hurt many in the marine industry – both manufacturers and retailers alike. By mid-1980, Apollo was barely hanging on and finally closed its doors in 1981.

In 1957, United Boat Builders set up in Bellingham, Washington to produce Uniflite Boats . Uniflite was not a huge builder and indeed, perhaps the largest portion of its output was destined for the US Navy and the Vietnam War. My reason for including it here is that it was the only pleasure boat manufacturer, to my knowledge, that utilized a fire-retardant resin in the production of its fiberglass boats and yachts.

Uniflite started by building 14, 18, and 20 foot outboard and sterndrive powered runabouts. In 1959, it moved into larger facilities and expanded its lineup to include a 25-foot cruiser and eventually 31 and 34-foot express and sportfisherman cruisers. In 1962, Uniflite was listed on the New York Stock Exchange and soon started quoting on US Navy contracts.

In 1965, Uniflite was awarded a Navy contract to build a series of PBR’s -- Patrol Boat Riverine -- a 31-foot diesel powered jet drive armed patrol boat for shallow water patrol work in Vietnam. These boats were called the backbone of the brown water navy! For the next 10 years, Uniflite produced over 400 Patrol Boats along with landing craft, as well as 40 and 50 foot personnel boats. It also built commercial fishing boats, and even some sailboats.

In the late 1970’s, Uniflite built another facility in Swansboro, North Carolina and its model lineup expanded dramatically from 26 to 49 feet, featuring every popular model configuration. It apparently was involved in major litigation in the early 1980’s and was then acquired by Chris Craft in 1984. Manufacturing continued until 1989 when its name was finally discontinued.

Robert “Tolly” Tollefson founded Tollycraft in Kelso, Washington on the Columbia River south of Seattle in 1936. Tolly grew up boating, building a 36-footer for himself, and served with the Coast Guard during the war. He eventually returned to Kelso, bought a sawmill with a partner, and started building a 58-foot yacht for himself.

When the mill burned down in 1957, he started building boats full time. He started with 16, 18, and 20-foot runabouts of wood, then plywood, then a fiberglass skin coating over the plywood. Tollycraft became one of America’s most prolific boat builders, producing over 6000 boats over the course of its existence.

Tollycraft started building in fiberglass in 1962. They hired world-famous Seattle designer Ed Monk Sr., and then equally esteemed naval architect Ed Monk Jr. to produce designs for the company. The first real success was a 26-footer for which almost 900 were said to have been built. He kept building bigger and bigger as his designs caught on and his boats gained a reputation for quality, seaworthiness, and the ability to withstand what the Pacific northwest could deal out. As the word spread, his boats eventually were sold worldwide.

Tollycraft designs were almost unmistakeable with their low center of gravity pilothouse command bridge, dubbed as the “coho” look. They also had good bow flare and cruising efficiency in their semi-displacement hulls. The 37-footer is claimed by many to be the best running hull while the 43 tri-cabin is claimed to be the most popular of all Tollycraft.

Although Tollycraft came in many model configurations including double cabin, express, sedan, sport, convertible, tri-cabin, sportfisherman, sundeck, and motor yacht, some others claim the 43, 44, and 48 motor yachts, especially those with a cockpit were the favourites. By the mid-80's, Tollycraft had added a 53, 57, and eventually a 61 and 65 raised pilothouse models.

When Tollefson sold the company in 1987 at the age of 76, the company was reportedly making an astonishing 150 yachts a year. But alas, Tollycraft floundered under the new owners and it declared bankruptcy in 1993. It somehow resumed operations the following spring, but eventually closed down for good in 1996.

Tollycraft owners are very proud and knowledgeable about their yachts and hold regular rendezvous. It is almost like a cult following with their devotion to the brand, which is well-earned by the quality and seaworthiness of Tollycraft boats to this day. I personally talked to Tolly Tollefson in the early 1980's about obtaining a dealership as I admired his product so much. I was never able to rationalize the high costs and difficulty of transport to the east and still remain competitive, so sadly a dealership never came to pass. Pity.

We move north now from Spokane, Bellingham, and Kelso to Vancouver, British Columbia. Forbes Cooper was a successful businessman of many stripes who moved to British Columbia and purchased a sailboat manufacturing facility at auction in the 1970's. He successfully turned the company around, and by the mid-‘80’s created the Prowler powerboat line known as Prowler by Cooper Yachts .

Prowler offered a full line of runabouts starting at 18 feet, cuddy cabins, and even a 27-foot performance boat. They also had a line of express cruisers, mid-cabins, command bridges, and most popular of all, flybridge aft-cabins in 9, 10, and 12 Meters (32, 35, 42 feet) called Sundecks. These were considered very roomy boats and good value, and they were trimmed throughout with teak accents. They were available in sterndrive and inboard power.

Prowler boats by Cooper Yachts expanded quickly through dealerships across the United States and Canada. Cooper sold the Prowler part of his company in 1989, and sadly production ended shortly thereafter in 1990. Forbes Cooper continued to design and build custom and semi-custom yachts.

Don't forget to check out:

Part 1- Gone But Not Forgotten - The Story of OMC

Part 2- Gone But Not Forgotten - Chrysler Boats, the Chris Craft Stinger, the Sea Ray Pachanga, and the Houseboat Craze of the 1970's

Part 3- Gone But Not Forgotten- A Retrospective Look at the Peak of Doral, Thundercraft, Magnum, Cadorette, Sunray, & Peterborough

Part 4- Connecting the heydeys of Silverline, Striper, Owens, Penn Yan, Rinker, and Winner

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Cooper Enterprises Inc.

aka Cooper Yachts Ltd. Founded by Forbes Cooper. Builder of ‘Prowler’ line of Powerboats. Initially built Catalina sailboats under license for sale in Canada. Address was: Cooper Enterprises Inc. 1642 Langan Ave. Port Coquitlam, B.C. V3C 1K5 Canada No longer in business.

Associations

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17 sailboats built by Cooper Enterprises Inc.

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Maple leaf 42.

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Shipbuilding History

Home > U.S. Builders of Small Vessels Since WWII

Cooper Marine

St. petersburg fl.

Most recent update: January 27, 2022.

Ron Cooper has been building catamarans in commercial and recreational configurations since 1984. The yard is at 340 17th Avenue South, just off Bayboro Harbor. Visit the company at coopermarine.com and see their yard from the air on Google here . The company says that it has built 155 boats to date but only 25 appear in the USCG register:

If you have an addition or correction for this page, please send it in.

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Vessels Built by Cooper Enterprises Ltd.

compiled by John M. MacFarlane 2015

		Name	Customer	Type			Built	Notes
1082074	Perseverance	Coastal Excursions LLC	passenger	6	40	1999
1251910	Jost boat	JB Charter Services LLC	passenger	13	46	2014
1241737	Good Times	Daniel D White	passenger	14	47	2012
1247950	Emerald Grande	Emerald Grande Transportation	passenger	15	47	2013
1251249	Sight Sea-R	Pieces of Eight Pirate Holdings	passenger	16	47	2013
1253372	Oceanside Adventures	Oc Ocean Adventure Inc	passenger	14	47	2014
1256600	Paseo a la Bahia	Miguel A Rodriguez	passenger	14	47	2014
1258713	Dee Queen II	DDMB Tours LLC	passenger	11	47	2015
1268795	Scarlet Lady	Dolphin Adventures	passenger	9	47	2016
1267391	Compass Rose	Suncoast Tours	passenger	15	47	2016
1276947	Odyssey II	Odyssey Cruises	passenger	12	47	2016
1095737	Breakaway	Breakaway Charters Corp	passenger	38	52	2000
1249380	Dreamer	Fabulous Dream LLC	passenger	35	52	2002
1211836	Breakaway II	Breakaway Charters Corp	passenger	39	52	2008
1130527	Tortuga IV	Bernard E Eymann	passenger	38	63	2001
1157340	Portofino I	Adventures on Portofino One	passenger	44	63	2004
1162701	Virgin Breeze	Topsails Inc	passenger	44	63	2004
1207468	Ocean Adventures	Oc Ocean Adventure Inc	passenger	39	63	2007
1249811	Cruzan Breeze	Topsails Inc	passenger	45	63	2013
1262607	Salty Dog	John Braddocks Inc	passenger	34	63	2015
1266245	Taboga Express	Bernard E. Eymann	passenger	45	63	2015
1270089	Harbor Queen	Queen City Ferry Company	passenger	48	63	2016
1274878	Sabrage	JD Investment Trust	passenger	48	63	2016
1277169	Norra Dorr	Fish Creek Boat Tours	passenger	48	63	2017
1285079	Sabrage II	Sabrage LLC	passenger	48	63	2018
			passenger		63
1299578	Sabrage III	Sabrage Charters	passenger	48	63	2020
1299578	Salty Dog		passenger	40	63	2021
1109580	Bay Spirit	Jacob E Kohl	passenger	43	63	2001

Name	Registration	Vessel Type	Year Built
	804149 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1983
	802452 (Canada)	Yacht	1982
	833734 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1981
	803022 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1982
	809721 (Canada)	Yacht	1984
	383900 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1978
	807629 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1979
	815054 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1991
	369239 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1973
	815054 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1991
	383966 (Canada)	Yacht, power-cruiser	1978
	394181 (Canada)	Fishboat, general	1979
	802452 (Canada)	Yacht	1982
	383399 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1977
	394190 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1978
	393619 (Canada)	Fishboat, general	1979
	802938 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1983
	809183 (Canada)	Yacht, power-cruiser	1986
	812942 (Canada)	Yacht, power-cruiser	1990
	803656 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1983
	370221 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1975
	348400 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1973
	371781 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1975
	800109 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1980
	802267 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1982
	395735 (Canada)	Fishboat, general	1980
	800969 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1981
	801025 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1981
	803605 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1983
	802267 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1982
	394019 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1978
	800039 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1980
	812814 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1981
	817408 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1979
	394156 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1980
	803603 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1983
	846728 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1977
	803629 (Canada)	Yacht	1982
	392750 (Canada)	Yacht, power-cruiser	1978
	383399 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1977
	822089 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1981
	802801 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1974
	803047 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1983
	803570 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1983
	803605 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1983
	396069 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1981
	840889 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1982
	802767 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1982
	800109 (Canada)	Yacht, sail	1980
	805191 (Canada)	Yacht, power-cruiser	1984

Author’s Note : This is a partial list (work in progress).

Vessel Images : Can you help us fill gaps in the vessel images in the database? If you have pictures of missing vessels that you have taken and would be willing to contribute to the database to make it more complete all our users would be very grateful. Please send them to admin(at)nauticapedia.ca

Note to Reader : Vessel names containing Roman numerals in parentheses (e.g. Floater (II)) indicates more than one vessel in the database with the same name. The numerals in parentheses are NOT part of the vessel name but are used to distinguish one vessel from another in the database.

To quote from this article please cite:

MacFarlane, John M. (2015) Vessels Built by Cooper Enterprises Ltd. Nauticapedia.ca 2015. http://nauticapedia.ca/Articles/Vessel_Builders_Cooper_Enterprises.php

Site News: July 01, 2024

The vessel database has been updated and is now holding 93,287 vessel histories (with 15,819 images and 13,772 records of ship wrecks and marine disasters). The mariner and naval biography database has also been updated and now contains 58,618 entries (with 4,019 images).

In 2023 the Nauticapedia celebrated the 50th Anniversary of it’s original inception in 1973 (initially it was on 3" x 5" file cards). It has developed, expanded, digitized and enlarged in those ensuing years to what it is now online. If it was printed out it would fill more than 300,000 pages!

My special thanks to our volunteer IT adviser, John Eyre, who (since 2021) has modernized, simplified and improved the update process for the databases into semi–automated processes. His participation has been vital to keeping the Nauticapedia available to our netizens.

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and see their yard from the air on Google .  The company says that it has built 155 boats to date but only 25 appear in the USCG register: if anyone can add to the table below, please send your info to me at .

Hull #	O.N.	Name	Owner	Type	GT	Feet	Built	Disposition
43-1	1082074	Perseverance	Coastal Excursions Llc	Passenger	6	40	1999	Active
1251910	Jost Boat	JB Charter Services Llc		13	46	2014	Active
47-1	1241737	Good Times	Daniel D White		14	47	2012	Active
47-2	1247950	Emerald Grande	Emerald Grande Transportation		15	47	2013	Active
47-3	1251249	Sight Sea-R	Pieces of Eight Pirate Holdings		16	47	2013	Active
47-4	1253372	Oceanside Adventures	Oc Ocean Adventure Inc	14	47	2014	Active
47-5	1256600	Paseo a la Bahia	Miguel A Rodriguez	14	47	2014	Active
1258713	Dee Queen II	DDMB Tours Llc		11	47	2015	Active
1268795	Scarlet Lady	Dolphin Adventures		9	47	2016	Active
1267391	Compass Rose	Suncoast Tours		15	47	2016	Active
1276947	Odyssey II	Odyssey Cruises		12	47	2016	Active
1095737	Breakaway	Breakaway Charters Corp		38	52	2000	Active
1249380	Dreamer	Fabulous Dream Llc		35	52	2002	Active
1211836	Breakaway II	Breakaway Charters Corp		39	52	2008	Active
1130527	Tortuga IV	Bernard E Eymann		38	63	2001	Active
1157340	Portofino I	Adventures on Portofino One		44	63	2004	Active
1162701	Virgin Breeze	Topsails Inc		44	63	2004	Active
1207468	Ocean Adventures	Oc Ocean Adventure Inc		39	63	2007	Active
1249811	Cruzan Breeze	Topsails Inc		45	63	2013	Active
1262607	Salty Dog	John Braddocks Inc		34	63	2015	Active
1266245	Taboga Express	Bernard E. Eymann		45	63	2015	Active
63-31	1270089	Harbor Queen	Queen City Ferry Company	48	63	2016	Active
1274878	Sabrage	JD Investment Trust		48	63	2016	Active
1277169	Norra Dorr	Fish Creek Boat Tours		48	63	2017	Active
1285079	Sabrage II	Sabrage LLC		48	63	2018	Active
					63		Building
1299578	Sabrage III	Sabrage Charters		48	63	2020	Active
63-37	1299578	Salty Dog		40	63	2021	Active
1109580	Bay Spirit	Jacob E Kohl		43	63	2001	Active

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Cooper Boats for sale

1989 Cooper Prowler

Long Beach, California

Make Cooper

Model Prowler

Category Cruiser Boats

Posted Over 1 Month

1989 Cooper Prowler This Cooper Prowler Aft Cabin is in Excellent condition.

1981 Cooper 353

San Diego, California

1981 Cooper 353 35' Cooper '81 "Raven" Designed by noted Northwest naval architect Stan Huntingford, and built in the same yard that produces Maple Leafs and Sceptre 41s, this very capable coastal cruiser will be the envy of those interested in a pilothouse-style sailing vessel. The large port lights in the salon and her rich wood joinery create that warm feeling of a very secure sailing experience. She's powered with a virtually new Volvo diesel and has many other attributes that make her a must-have.

1988 Cooper Prowler 42

Seattle, Washington

Model Prowler 42

Category Powerboats

1988 Cooper Prowler 42 This Cooper Prowler 42 Aft Cabin Motor Yacht shows the absolute best I have seen ever! Complete interior updating, meticulous maintenance, and updated systems offer a rare opportunity to live aboard in an outstanding fresh water slip with views of the Seattle skyline and Space Needle. Cruise the Pacific Northwest with easy access through the locks. Equipped with diesel heat, generator, two independent Vacu-Flush head systems, Direct TV system, flat screen TV, laundry center with wet bar and Ice maker, fully enclosed sundeck and fly-bridge with stunning views of the Seattle skyline. Live an idyllic lifestyle on the water in the heart of the city. Do see this one soon!These boat details are subject to contract.Note: Offers on the asking price may be considered.

1982 Cooper 416

Poulsbo, Washington

Category Sailboats

1982 Cooper 416  PRICE REDUCED!!! This is a Beautifully remodeled 1982 Cooper 416 Pilothouse Sloop Sailboat. Powered by a Perkins 4-108 43hp Diesel Engine Rebuilt head and top end with 200 amp alternator.  Full electronics package including Furuno 25 mile range radar, depth finder/sounder, Gps, Furuno Weather fax, Vhf radio, Auto helm Wagner Autopilot, Aqua marine water maker, Heart freedom 2500 Inverter, Sigmar diesel heater. Head with Dry shower, and Bathtub. Vacu flush. Bruce and Danforth anchors with 300 feet of chain and 200' of rope. Fully sail equipped with Mainsail, Jib with Roller Furling, Spinnaker, Genoa, Self-tailing winches, and Spartite mast wedge system.

1987 Cooper Prowler Aft Cabin

Everett, Washington

Make Cooper Prowler

Model Aft Cabin

Category Motor Yachts

1987 Cooper Prowler Aft Cabin JUST IN  1987 Cooper Prowler Aft Cabin This is a nice and clean aft cabin. Nice Garmin electronics. Include Dinghy with 15hp and Davit system.

1988 Cooper Prowler Aft Cabin 35'

Los Angeles, California

Model Aft Cabin 35'

1988 Cooper Prowler Aft Cabin 35' Looking for a spacious motor yacht. This Canadian built Cooper Prowler offers a comfortable teak interior with two staterooms, sun deck and fly bridge. Has been professional maintained and definitely makes a great Catalina cruiser. **Her owner now has moved to a larger boat and is open to offers**

1989 Cooper Yachts Prowler ACMY

Dana Point, California

Make Cooper Yachts

Model Prowler ACMY

1989 Cooper Yachts Prowler ACMY This vessel is a fine example of the Canadian built Cooper Prowler.  This is a lot of boat packed into a 35' package!  Two private cabins, two enclosed heads, one with a separate shower, and two steering stations, flybridge and main salon.  And yet, the Interior layout gives you a sense of spacious comfort. The salon has a large L- shaped settee/dinette that converts to sleep two and features large opening windows for light and air.  A full galley forward with a large refrigerator and double sink.  The forward cabin has a double berth with a built-in chair and hanging lockers.  The aft master cabin has a queen size berth, private head and desk. The upper Helm includes full electronics and is completely enclosed with canvas and esinglass.  There are two guest seats on each side of the Captains chair and a bench seat.  Aft of the Flybridge is a Sundeck with a hard top that is fully enclosed with canvas and eisinglass. The engines are Twin Mercruiser 260 horsepower with only 733 hours.  A generator completes the package for a great boat that has been very well maintained!  Add to that, a transferable slip in Oceanside Harbor.  This boat is ready to go!

Gig Harbor, Washington

Very nice Northwest cruising sailboat, classic Stan Huntingford design. Newer sails and diesel engine/fuel tank, electric windlass and refrigeration. Beamy interior with lots of teak and great storage space. Main cabin has settee to port with Dickinson diesel heater and U shaped dinette to starboard.

42' Cooper Yachts Prowler

Bellingham, Washington

Tough Sportfisher Sedan built to highest standards. Twin Cummins Diesels, central diesel heat, tolling valves, upper and lower helms, complete electronics suite. Enormous cockpit. Ready to go to Alaska or California. Engine room and lazarrette are spotless. Don't forget the WESMAR Bowthruster. You must see this boat!!

1981 Cooper Yachts 416

1981 Cooper Yachts 416 Just back from cruising Mexico, set up with all you need to get out sailing and lots of smart proven gear and equipment. Stan Huntingford design and Canadian built, it is top shelf. If you require something more than average and have an eye for detail and know the importance of ample storage space and a well built hull, do yourself a favor and check out REDCOAT!

42' Cooper 416

This is a Beautifully remodeled 1982 Cooper 416 Pilothouse Sloop Sailboat. Powered by a Perkins 4-108 43hp Diesel Engine Rebuilt head and top end. Full electronics package including Furuno 25 mile range radar, depthfinder/sounder, Gps, Furuno Weather fax, Vhf radio, Autohelm Wagner Autopilot, Aqua marine watermaker, Heart freedom 2500 Inverter, Sigmar diesel heater. Head with Dry shower, and Bathtub. Vacuflush. Bruce and Danforth anchors with 300 feet of chain and 200' of rope. Fully sail equiped with Mainsail, Jib with Roller Furling, Spinaker, Genoa, Self-tailing winches, and Spartite mast wedge system. http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/pl_boat_full_detail.jsp?slim=broker&boat_id=2405133&ybw=&hosturl=gigharbor&&ywo=gigharbor&&units=Feet&access=Public&listing_id=980&url=&hosturl=gigharbor&&ywo=gigharbor&

1987 Cooper Prowler

Paducah, Kentucky

Private Seller (270) 210-6158 Photos Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5 Photo 6 Close Request Information * Name First Name * Email Telephone (optional) Best Time to Contact Anytime Morning Mid-day Evening Question/Comments (optional) Shop Safely: Protect Your Money. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use. Contact Seller FINAL PRICE REDUCTION! Musust sell Great family boat.1987 Cooper Prowler 27ft off shore cabin cruiser with dual axel trailer & includes 8ft dingy row boat. Mostly kept under slip. Bought from original owner in Canada. Low hours. New outdrive, batteries, carpet, and fresh water pump. Shore AC. Full bathroom, stove, 2 refrigerators. 270-210-6158 Equipment:260hp MercruserNew outdrive 2010New 3 bank battery charger New fresh water pump 2013Radar ArchDepth finderTrim tabs2 Refrigerators (in galley and on deck)Shore AC unitIncluded:Dual axel trailerShore AC system8 Dingy row boat that matchesAccommodations:V-Birth sleeps 4 + Aft cabin sleeps 2Private Head w/ shower in bathroom2 burner stove top and sinkNew carpet, cpt chair, redone cushions. Final price reduction from $12,500 to $9,999.00 Hurry it will sell quickly! 270-210-6158 Be sure: Get a boat history report|Finance this boat|Get an insurance quote|

42' Cooper 416, Price drop!

PRICE REDUCED!!! This is a Beautifully remodeled 1982 Cooper 416 Pilothouse Sloop Sailboat. Powered by a Perkins 4-108 43hp Diesel Engine Rebuilt head and top end with 200 amp alternator. Full electronics package including Furuno 25 mile range radar, depth finder/sounder, Gps, Furuno Weather fax, Vhf radio, Auto helm Wagner Autopilot, Aqua marine water maker, Heart freedom 2500 Inverter, Sigmar diesel heater. Head with Dry shower, and Bathtub. Vacu flush. Bruce and Danforth anchors with 300 feet of chain and 200' of rope. Fully sail equipped with Mainsail, Jib with Roller Furling, Spinnaker, Genoa, Self-tailing winches, and Spartite mast wedge system. Recent survey turned out great. Engine flawless.

2012 MINI Cooper Hardtop Coupe

Pueblo, Colorado

2012 MINI Cooper Hardtop Coupe Our Location is: Spradley Imports - 2145 W US Hwy 50, Pueblo, CO, 81008 Disclaimer: All vehicles subject to prior sale. We reserve the right to make changes without notice, and are not responsible for errors or omissions. All prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, and any emissions test charge.

1990 Cooper Prowler 9 Meter

1990 Cooper Prowler 9 Meter 1990 Cooper Prowler 30 ft., this is a one owner boat and pride in ownership shows, powered by twin 7.4 liter Mercruiser, freshwater cooled, carbureted engines with Bravo 2 outdrives. Engine packages including outdrives were replaced in 1998 and have 235 hours on them. This boat is set up to cruise with micro command electronic shift and throttle controls, windlass, 7.5 K generator, stationary head with separate shower, 25 gallon holding tank, 8 foot Sportcraft dingy, full galley including oven. Not on site. Shown by appointment only. Price reduced $3,000!

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Select related article . . . Pop Cooper - 225 Speed King [1940] The Pop Cooper Story

The Pop Cooper Story

By Fred Farley - APBA Unlimited Historian

One of the most colorful characters ever to inhabit the hydroplane racing world was Jack "Pop" Cooper. The Kansas City, Missouri, native won many trophies as an inboard driver during the late 1930s and 1940s. He was the first to average more than a mile a minute in a heat of racing with a 225 Cubic Inch Class hydro.

At 126 pounds, his hair white, his features pinched and wrinkled behind colorless rimmed glasses, Pop Cooper was the answer to a sports interviewer's dream. He was also one of the oldest drivers ever to achieve success in power boat racing.

In 1937, at age 57, Cooper won the prestigious National Sweepstakes Trophy at Red Bank, New Jersey, with Tops II , a Lycoming-powered Ventnor 225. The Sweepstakes was a special event for unlimited single-engine inboards. Pop finished first, second, and first to outpoint Jack Rutherfurd in the Gold Cup Class Ma-Ja II . Cooper set a Sweepstakes heat record of 64.420 and, the following day, set a 225 straightaway record of 73.170.

Pop eventually sold Tops II to a Seattle automobile dealer named Stanley Sayres who renamed the craft Slo-mo-shun I . And, several years later, Cooper also sold Tops III to Sayres who renamed it Slo-mo-shun I I.

Two of Pop's biggest wins were with Tops III , another product of the famed Ventnor Boat Works of Ventnor, New Jersey. In 1939, Cooper and Tops III captured the W.D. Edenburn Memorial Trophy at the Gold Cup Regatta in Detroit. (The Edenburn Memorial was the most coveted 225 Class trophy in the country at that time.)

And, in 1940, Pop scored another victory in the National Sweepstakes on the Shrewsbury River. Cooper made one appearance in competition at the wheel of a Gold Cup Class hydroplane. He won the William Randolph Hearst Trophy for the American Speedboat Championship at Washington, D.C., in 1940 at the wheel of My Sin , the future Tempo VI .

Owned by Guy Simmons, My Sin was one of the most famous boats in the history of the sport. Pop averaged 62.390 for the 10- mile distance and beat Tom Chatfield and Viper III over the finish line by 2.1 seconds.

When racing revived after World War II, Cooper resumed his driving career with boats like Tops Pup and Tops Speedliner . The end came in 1948 when he suffered fatal injuries in a 135 Cubic Inch Class race at Picton, Ontario. [ Correction : Cooper was racing his newly-acquired 135 Blue Blazes against several 225's in the larger class event at Picton].

After Pop's death, his son, Thom Cooper, continued the family tradition into the 1950s by driving a boat that was appropriately named Pop's Tops .

For many years, the fastest qualifier for the APBA Gold Cup was awarded the Pop Cooper Memorial Trophy. The first such winner was Bill Stead and the Maverick in 1957.

Although small in body with a wiry frame that reminded one of nothing more than a corn stalk, Jack "Pop" Cooper was clearly a giant of a man when behind the wheel of a three-point hydroplane. To get any racing practice, Cooper had to haul his boat some 200 miles. In this regard, perhaps, it was advantageous that Pop was the operator of a big Kansas City motor car transportation company.

Cooper loved to tell stories. One of them is preserved in a 1957 issue of Motor Boating Magazine . It had to do with one of his defeats. At the 1938 Detroit race, an elderly man came up to Pop and asked a lot of questions about the 225s. When Pop asked the man, who was clearly in his seventies, why, the reply was "I'm going to get me one."

"Why?" Pop persisted.

"To race--why do you think?"

Pop felt like a schoolboy trying to give his grandfather advice as he tried to pursuade the elderly gentleman that he was too old to take up inboard racing. Next year, when Pop looked over the starting line-up in the Prince Edward Gold Cup at Picton, Ontario, there was the man with whom he had talked. His name was Robert Jaite of Jaite, Ohio, and some said he was 79 years old.

His boat had the swift-sounding name of Apache . Cooper was the defending champion. He won the first heat and was surprised to find that the second-place boat was Apache . In the following heat, Pop said "I was doing 72 mph and going for a world's record. As luck would have it, a battery cable worked loose and short circuited. I slipped in a new one and managed to get in fourth."

"But, of course," he added, "you know who was first. That's right, Jaite." Pop won the final leg of the race with Apache finishing second. But Jaite had beaten him on points. At the trophy awards ceremony, Pop said that he could detect a gleam in the winner's eye that was meant just for him (Cooper).

Old Salt Blog

A virtual port of call for all those who love the sea , hosted by nautical novelist rick spilman.

The Typical Powerboat is Not Seaworthy

I recently came across yacht designer Tad Roberts ‘ blog, Low Tide .  He has posted a refreshingly straight-forward persepctive on the lack of seaworthiness of so many of today’s production powerboats:

THE TYPICAL POWERBOAT IS NOT SEAWORTHY  The typical production powerboat is far from seaworthy in even slightly adverse conditions. Above is a Cooper Prowler 42′ which is typical of boats intended to sell at boatshows because of impressive interior volume. These boats are huge inside for their length by being high off the water and beamy, both detrimental to seaworthiness.

Note a great deal of boat above waterline and very little below….This boat is not designed for heavy weather! In my opinion this boat is a textbook case of unseaworthiness. Note the flat and shallow bottom, blunt bow, tiny rudders and props, and no keel at all. Also note the huge windows well forward (where they are vulnerable to waves coming over the bow), low freeboard at the bow, and engine room vents below the sheer in the hull side (easily flooded).

As long as you can keep the speed up (at least 10-12 knots) this boat will be reasonably controllable and have adequate dynamic stability. In a big sea where you have to slow down she will make everybody sick with her fast rolling, plus wear you out trying to keep her pointed into the waves. The combination of tiny rudders, no keel (for directional stability), and very high windage will keep her out of control. Loose power and you are in real trouble.

She will probably be fine for inland cruising, but I would not recommend this type for any open water passages.

Read the rest of the post on Low Tide.

The Typical Powerboat is Not Seaworthy — 2 Comments

Sadly true I go to the Boat Show usually every two to three years. Mostly I have a quick walk amongst the boat display then spent my time examining safety gear (and I have strong viewsbout that) and electronics and navigational and training software. Now if these little boats are unsafe, and they are, you may imagine my feelings about all these cookie cutter cruise ships berthed on Dodge Island, Port of Miami each weekend. Good Watch.

Rick, as a former 100 ton master and a veteran marine surveyor of some 30+ years in both the recreational and commercial realm of the industry, I agree with your statement of an un-seaworthy powerboat relative to your criteria of “seaworthiness”. However, I think there is some confusion here and needless criticism. The Cooper Yachts’ Prowler line, along with all others of its kind produced in North America are by no means intended for service that your criteria of seaworthiness applies to. These are near-shore and inland waters boats! Look at it this way; most are gasoline fueled. Can’t go very far, not intended for offshore voyaging. We build plenty of long distance passagemaker powerboats that can and have proven to be able to safely transit the seven seas even at an advertised 38′ length. Just look at Nordhavn and Krogen for a few examples in the full displacement design sector. Then there are your Viking, Hatteras and Buddy Davis planing hull sportfishing boats that can handle horrendous seas in the Gulf Stream and other places due to their power and intended service to go after fish in offshore regions. I know, I operated a few.

So, with all due respect, what I am trying to say is, the boats you refer to as “the typical powerboat not seaworthy”, is meant for dock hopping by yachties who may at most venture out to do the Americas Great Loop Cruse, never out of sight of land. These yachties care more about the capacity of the icemaker than what the prismatic coefficient of their hull is. Hell, they wouldn’t know what that meant if their life depended on it. And sure, it does, but they don’t go where that kind of thing matters.

After spending my whole life in the marine industry and having been involved with SAR organizations in the US, Canada, Mexico, Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas, I can honestly say I have never been involved with nor can remember of the type of powerboat that you bring up as not seaworthy, being in need of assistance or in peril due to stability issues. It is usually a mechanical failure, fire or flooding and even at that rate, insurers such as Lloyds Of London will tell you that statistically, total loss events regarding the mentioned above-to-below waterline ratio challenged motoryachts is less than .001% of all powerboat claims.

Now, let me tell you this however, we do build a lot of structurally weak and less than adequately rigged sailboats. These are the ones that get in trouble more so than anything else on the high seas, due to the false sense of security in a vessel that some believe is meant to go anywhere just because it is a sailboat……

Capt. Joe Berta Aboard the Motor Vessel Surveyor – currently icebound on the Great Lakes. Blog: http://www.cruisingdog.com

Capt. Joseph G. Berta, MMS, CMS Principal Surveyor MSOL Marine Surveyors & Consultants 905 955-4449 http://www.marinesupportonline.com http://www.bertamarineconsultants.com

Our COOPER 680 is on the market since 2019 and became ‘Boat of the Year 2020’, as it was chosen to be the most ideal yacht for the Dutch waters. Easy to handle, elegant lines and a real family yacht.

Length over all	7,20 m
Beam	2,35 m
Vertical clearance	1,05 m
Draft	0,55 m
Weight	1,85 t

STANDARD EQUIPMENT

Yanmar 22Hp

Cushion set

Variable duo-seat

Teak

Storage under front deck

Arm support

Sprayhood complete

Sprayhood sleep-set/curtains

Sprayhood convertible-compartment

Sprayhood extension tent

Bimini

Swim ladder

Winter cover

Storage compartment under front deck

Storage compartment under side seats

Cupholders

Navigation lights

Navigation stern light

Stainless steel wheel

Fender-pins

Dashboard

Inboard LED lights (6x)

12 Volt plug system

Light extra

Steering system

Bilge pomp

Mooring lines

Fenders

Anchor

Flag holder

Spotlight

Toilet

Yanmar 29Hp | 57Hp | 80Hp | 110Hp

Bowthruster [Sidepower]

Fridge built in seats

Bed [fixed version (alu sheets & 4x cushions)

Open aft version

Shower [in hull]

Privacy window under front deck (toilet/change)

Audioset incl.speakers | Fusion set

Table cockpit

Water-ski Pole integrated

Extra fuel tank

BBQ

Flexiteek

Wheel lux

Fabric-set ‘weekender’

Fabric different from standard

Plan a sea trial

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