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Very tidy Swiftcraft belongs to Ben and we'd both like to know a little more about her. As can be seen, she is quite different to the original Stiletto's we all know and love. Her birth certificate shows that she's a 1993 Swiftcraft Stiletto Impulse. We know that Don & Frank Gibbons (GBV/Swiftcraft) wound up operations in the early 80's so are wondering where these Impulse's fit into the equation. Were the Gibbons' involved or did someone else rehash this famous brand ?? They certainly hit the nail on the head by improving this great classic ...love it!
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ReplyDeletesome one must have gone to great lengths to modify the old moulds, why haven't we seen any more, looks great
ReplyDeleteSwift Craft boats were built by G.B.V products being Gibbins Brothers Victoria, My Father Ted Gibbins and his three brothers Frank Don & Lawrence owned the business Frank died in the early 70’s at that time the business was in full swing building boats out of there Breaside factory, boats ranged from 12ft dingys to the 31ft Sapphire also they were building 33ft ship to shore work boats for the Navy. The biggest seller was the Seagull a boat I grew up in and spent many a great day at Inverloch were the business had a holiday house. I remember dad and the Brothers racing 2 Stiletto’s at Lake Eppalock. In the late 80’s they decided to wind the company down and subcontracted the laying up process to a Mob in I think it was Albury and they just assembled the boats, they then sold the mould to the same company and the 3 brothers retired. I know some moulds ended up in Perth and boats were being manufactured there, but in general I think the moulds were scatted here and there. The business was originally called Tilly Craft before changing to Swift Craft also in the early days they produced Fiberglass showers and baths, well like a lot of Swift Craft boats Ted, Don & Lawrence are still going strong and its great to see there is a following.
ReplyDeleteMike Gibbins
Mike I think the laying up process was sub contracted to a business in Shepparton
DeleteI bought an original Swift Craft 1800 last year and have just redone the transom. I’m not sure of the year but guessing around 1973 - coast guard Frankston had one as their rescue vessel, I was a cadet and learnt most of my seamanship on this boat - it was an excellent sea boat for port Phillip - motors now fitted and serviced so am quite excited to do a sea trial soon. Production of the 1800 stopped early 70s as they modified the hull to produce the Dominator and Explorer.
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