Speedicraft    1951 - 1954

Created by Otis C. Borum, Speedicraft was a line of molded hull, mahgany runabouts built for pleasure and speed. Tauted as the first production deep V speed boat, the speedcraft was mass produced on a jig, using the "production line method".(Much like automobiles) Mr. Borum baught his hulls from a manufacturer in Halafax, Nova Scotia,and shipped them to Jacksonville for finishing. There were 2 hull designs, "early" rounded, steam molded hull, of which 500 were built, and "later" more square, cold molded hull of which 5,000 were built. Most Speedicrafts left the plant in bright flambouyant color schemes, although the customer could get what ever he wanted.(for instance, my 1954, was never painted) Sizes ranged from 12' to 16' in length. Speedicraft began it's life in the back of the Borum home in Jacksonville, FL. Later to move twice, once to The Fotte" Ladder Co. and last move was to the WWII, Immason Airport complex, just outside of Jax. It is here, that speedicraft production reached it's pinnacle. Speedicraft's were shipped from the factory with only stearing wheel and rigging, all other accessories (motor, trailer, guages, and lights) were added by each dealer. Speedicraft's were know to be extremely well built and fast for their time. Gary Usina's 12' Speedicraft was the fastest boat on St. Augustine bay in 1955-56      click to see   Gary's boat Otis Borum sold "Speedicraft" in 1954. The new owners could never quite match the quality of a "Borum Speedicraft", and soon went out of business putting an end to the                    "Speedicraft Era"

Speedicraft's being built Jacksonville, FL circa 1951

Various Speedicraft's 1951-1954