Commando U2
Sport Boat Website

We are LOOKING for U2's; email us.
We want U2 photos to add to
Information on the U2 and the Commando Boat Company are welcome.
We are seeking any available photos.

email: Reliant1@comcast.net

This is the "Commando U2" website. Yes it is an obscure boat from the late 1950’s and early ‘60s. But it’s one of my favorites. I like the low profile, tail fins and long bow. The boat has steps under the hull and is thus technically a hydroplane. It is constructed of molded fiberglass and has a significant number of cast aluminum trim pieces. Note the molding around the end of the tail fins. There are also rocket ship like pieces at the beginning of the tail fins.

There is really very little known about the U2 and only some information on Commando Boat Company. Sales literature from the era covers and pictures all Commando Models except the U2. The U2 model was excluded from all known brochures even though it was manufactured for several years (from at least 1958 through 1961).

Photos (click)	Last	First	U2 Owners (and state)
1	Baker	Ronnie & Jan	U2 Owner
	Beisel	Karl	U2 Owner Reliant1@comcast.net
3	Benjamin	Bob	U2 Owner
	Buckley	Jeff	U2 Owner (SC) SKIFFNBUCK@aol.com
5	Graves	Dick	U2 Former Owner
	Hitchings	Sam	U2 Owner of Two (NH)
	Hurst	Corinne T.	U2 Owner (AL)
	Hatterer	Jonathan	U2 Owner (in PA)
	Watt	Keven	U2 Owner (British Columbia, Canada)  kevenwatt@hotmail.com

The U2 included tail fins for at least model years 1958 and 1959. A later photo of the boat (in a trade publication) shows the boat minus its tail fins. That boat is believed to be a 1961 model. It’s not known if eliminating the fins was a cost cutting initiative or merely a change to accommodate changing trends and styles. The finned version of the boat is definitely preferred as more classic (by me). Note the candy-striped upholstered dash. This was standard equipment. And the handles along side the seating area. They appear to be bow handles. They are however standard equipment even though they look a little out of place (by not being on the bow). The boat has a unique chrome bow handle (on the bow) with "dual" support struts. Also on the bow, very near the front, is a red "flame like" design. It is standard as well. Every boat I have ever seen was white with red fins and the red bow "flame." Other color schemes are not known.

Commando Boat Company: Located in Tulsa Oklahoma, Commando manufactured a line of fiberglass runabouts for about ten years. Research through the Tulsa Library archive of phone book Yellow Pages indicates the company moved several times. The last move placed it back where the company started. My guess is, sales had slowed and the original location was either less expensive or possibly owned by the company owner.

Links:

Antique and Classic Boat Society is a very well organized group with shows in varying locations though out the year. There is a members listing by alphabetized, location, and boat brand owned. Address: ACBS; 715 Mary St.; Clayton, NY 13624 http://www.acbs.org/danc.htm

Antique Outboard Motor Club: A nation wide (international) group. It's interest is outboards. It has a monthly news letter and swap sheet. It's a good place to find old outboards. Address: AOBC; P.O. Box 69; Sussex, WI 53089-0069. Their Web site:

Fiberglass Classics Website: This is just beginning but is attempting to consolidate fiberglass classic boat info: The site is at:

Alterscale Miniature Outboards: Alterscale Miniature Outboards: Unique authentic miniature outboard collectibles (collectibles).

Glasspar G-3 Owners Association: The Glasspar G-3 Skiboat enthusiasts site. The G-3 is a classic early 1960's fiberglass model. This site contains a lot of info available nowhere else.

email: Reliant1@comcast.net