Difference between revisions of "Valco"

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Logo and History  Needed. Please contact us to edit or contribute to this page.
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[[File:Valcologo57.jpg]]
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Additional History  Needed. Please contact us to edit or contribute to this page.
  
  
 
Valco Boats
 
Valco Boats
  
Valley Aluminum Co.  
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Division of Valley Aluminum Co.
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5733 E. Shields Ave.
  
 
Fresno, California
 
Fresno, California
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In 1957, George Gregory was vice-president and general manager of Valley Aluminum (see 1957 article below). This may be the George W. Gregory who founded [http://www.gregorboats.com/ Gregor Boats] in 1964 and is still in business and producing welded aluminum boats. Valco began boat production with riveted aluminum boats.
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In 1958, Valco moved into a new 12,000 sq. ft concrete block building at 5733 Shields, Ave., Fresno, California (July 1958 Sea and Pacific Motorboat magazine).
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For the 1961 Chicago Boat Show, Valco showed a welded aluminum catamaran (see photo below).  A prototype in 1961, it originated with [[Kaiser Aluminum|Kaiser Aluminum's Department of Industrial Design]] who conceived and designed the boat along with the [[Cherokee|McKenzie Boat Co.]] KX-919-1, an all-aluminum sterndrive prototype boat.  Carl W. Leveau was Kaiser's marine industry sales manager at the time and responsible for the display at the Chicago Boat Show. The catamaran was tested at speeds over 50 mph. It had a 8-ft beam, 32" freeboard, and 21" transom height. It reportedly was considered for production because of a positive reception at the show (May 1961 Modern Metals magazine).
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Valco also produced jet-propelled fireboats with one in service with the [http://books.google.com/books?id=Ru5PING2ancC&lpg=PA77&dq=valco%20boats&pg=PA77#v=onepage&q=valco%20boats&f=false Monterey, California Fire Department] starting in 1962. Rudder magazine detailed the Valco fireboats in the January 1964 issue.  The magazine reported the Valco Boat was powered with a 215 HP [[Dearborn|Interceptor]] engine with a fire pump mounted ahead of the engine, the propulsion jet pump behind the engine. The boat could pump water to put out fires and move as needed. This allowed the boat to maintain position. [[Buehler Turbocraft]] advertised a similar fireboat.
  
  
 
'''Model Information'''
 
'''Model Information'''
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
File:Valcobb001.jpg|1958 to 1959 Valco models
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File:Valcobb001.jpg|1958 to 1959 Valco outboard boat models
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File:Valcobb002.jpg|1960 to 1962 Valco outboard boat models
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File:Valcobb006.jpg|1962 Valco inboard boat models
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File:Valcobb003.jpg|1965 to 1967 Valco outboard boat models
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File:Valcobb004.jpg|1968 to 1969 Valco outboard boat models
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File:Valcobb005.jpg|1970 to 1971 Valco outboard boat models
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
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'''1955 Information'''
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<gallery>
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File:Valcoa55001.jpg|1955 Valco ad
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</gallery>
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'''1957 Information'''
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<gallery>
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File:Valcoa57002.jpg|1957 Valco ad
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File:Valcoa57001.jpg|1957 Valco magazine article
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File:Valcoarticle57001.jpg|1957 Valco magazine article
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</gallery>
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'''1958 Information'''
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<gallery>
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File:Valcoa58001.jpg|1958 Valco 17' Day Cruiser Explorer Ad
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</gallery>
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'''1961 Information'''
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<gallery>
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File:Valcoarticle61001.jpg|1961 Valco prototype welded aluminum catamaran
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</gallery>
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'''1963 Information'''
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<gallery>
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File:Valcoa63001.jpg|1963 Valco 14' Vampire Ad
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</gallery>
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[http://www.fiberglassics.com/index.php?searchword=Valco&ordering=newest&searchphrase=all&limit=20&Itemid=88&option=com_search Valco Boats in Use]
  
  
 
[[Main Page|Back to Main Page]]
 
[[Main Page|Back to Main Page]]
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[[Category:Aluminum]]
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[[Category:California]]
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[[Category:Catamarans]]
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[[Category:Jet]]
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[[Category:Fiberglass/Aluminum]]

Latest revision as of 15:36, 25 June 2021

Valcologo57.jpg


Additional History Needed. Please contact us to edit or contribute to this page.


Valco Boats

Division of Valley Aluminum Co.

5733 E. Shields Ave.

Fresno, California


In 1957, George Gregory was vice-president and general manager of Valley Aluminum (see 1957 article below). This may be the George W. Gregory who founded Gregor Boats in 1964 and is still in business and producing welded aluminum boats. Valco began boat production with riveted aluminum boats.


In 1958, Valco moved into a new 12,000 sq. ft concrete block building at 5733 Shields, Ave., Fresno, California (July 1958 Sea and Pacific Motorboat magazine).


For the 1961 Chicago Boat Show, Valco showed a welded aluminum catamaran (see photo below). A prototype in 1961, it originated with Kaiser Aluminum's Department of Industrial Design who conceived and designed the boat along with the McKenzie Boat Co. KX-919-1, an all-aluminum sterndrive prototype boat. Carl W. Leveau was Kaiser's marine industry sales manager at the time and responsible for the display at the Chicago Boat Show. The catamaran was tested at speeds over 50 mph. It had a 8-ft beam, 32" freeboard, and 21" transom height. It reportedly was considered for production because of a positive reception at the show (May 1961 Modern Metals magazine).


Valco also produced jet-propelled fireboats with one in service with the Monterey, California Fire Department starting in 1962. Rudder magazine detailed the Valco fireboats in the January 1964 issue. The magazine reported the Valco Boat was powered with a 215 HP Interceptor engine with a fire pump mounted ahead of the engine, the propulsion jet pump behind the engine. The boat could pump water to put out fires and move as needed. This allowed the boat to maintain position. Buehler Turbocraft advertised a similar fireboat.


Model Information


1955 Information


1957 Information


1958 Information


1961 Information


1963 Information


Valco Boats in Use


Back to Main Page