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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Pittsburgh, Boat lives in Chautauqua NY
    Posts
    431

    Default Father of Supra - The History of Supra Boats

    I was doing some research for my upcoming rebuild of my Supra and came across this article which I think everybody will enjoy. I have always wondered about the history of Supra and why there seemed to so little information about the early company and the early boats. This article which is an interview with George Fowler, the Father of Supra explains a lot of the mystery that I have always wondered about. It is a somewhat lengthy interview but well worth reading. George sounds like a fascinating guy and somone I would love to have a beer with. Check out the link below. Enjoy.

    http://www.deanstop.com/aztec/george/wake.html

    Dan
    1984 Supra Rider

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Parkersburg, WV
    Posts
    1,940

    Thumbs up

    Dan - awesome article - I don't know how you found that, but what a great story!

    Now I have to wonder: Viper Boats was in Arkansas, but does Viper Customs somehow get its name from any of this? I'm told that Viper Customs is in the plant where my boat was built (Maryville, TN). Can anyone piece this together a little more?

    Thanks again Dan. I get excited over this kind of stuff!

    There's a little more info at the Aztec home site. Seems George is out of a job again because Aztec closed in 2006. All of the molds are for sale - for cheap. But they are probably not in good shape since they've been left outside. http://www.aztecboats.com/
    Last edited by csuggs; 01-04-2010 at 04:12 PM.
    Clint
    Wake the World - West Virginia
    www.waketheworldwv.com

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Concord, CA
    Posts
    193

    Default

    Interesting read-thanks for posting!
    2008 22SSV

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Knoxville tn
    Posts
    686

    Default

    Viper customs is in the old skiers choice plant but has no affilation with viper boats. George Fowler has been in and out of boat companies for years and kind of started it all. The aztek boat molds have been for sale for sometime and I would say since they are outside the molds are shot. Molds have to be stored on completly level ground or they will warp. I got to go out on my first aztek boat back about 2 months ago my buddy at american boat center has one for sale. Neat little bare bones boat that were sold very reasobale and I think ryan at ABC has his for sale for like 10,5 which for a open bow 21 foot boat that is a good price.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Parkersburg, WV
    Posts
    1,940

    Default

    Thanks Jason - interesting.
    Clint
    Wake the World - West Virginia
    www.waketheworldwv.com

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Knoxville tn
    Posts
    686

    Default

    From what I hear from the grape vine is no one really no where Fowler is now and what he is up to. I would love to meet him sometime and talk to him

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Minneapolis, MN
    Posts
    3,112

    Default

    AMAZING story! Seems like a BRUTAL business. Sad to hear that Aztec didn't work out (again).

    Thanks George - I love my 87 Supra SunSport!!! 22 years later she is still making memories; George leaves a legacy like a musician or artist or author that will live forever.
    --WakeMikeys 1987 Supra SunSport--
    Thread - https://forum.supraboats.com/showthread.php?t=3630
    Photo Gallery - http://photos.wakeboarder.com/showga.../35518/cat/500
    Videos - http://www.vimeo.com/user2034462/videos
    Follow me on Twitter @WakeMikey

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Parkersburg, WV
    Posts
    1,940

    Default

    Here's a link to what I think might be the original Mastercraft plant where George and Rob built the first Mastercrafts on Binfield Rd. Check out the private lake with ramp! I'd love to have one of those in my backyard!

    http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...11319&t=h&z=17
    Last edited by csuggs; 01-04-2010 at 09:08 PM.
    Clint
    Wake the World - West Virginia
    www.waketheworldwv.com

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Pittsburgh, Boat lives in Chautauqua NY
    Posts
    431

    Default

    Well said Mikey!

    Clint I am like you and just about everyone on this site that just can't get enough of these boats. Everytime I question myself on the money I am going to spend on restoring mine I look at everyones pictures and read articles like these and realize these boats are timeless classics and the questions go away.

    I would one like to meet George and shake his hand. Love these boats.
    1984 Supra Rider

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Flowery Branch Georgia
    Posts
    2,742

    Default

    Thanks Dan
    That was very informative. I always though GF worked for CC before he started Supra.
    The CC martinique sure looks like the early Supras. I guess they copied the Supra designs.
    The comment about building a family ski boat. Talk about hitting the target in 89 the only thing even close to a 20' family ski boat MC had was a Tri star. Back then there weren't as many inboard boat builders .Malibu was the new kid. I was going to buy a Sunsetter untill I saw a Supra. I never thought I could ever own such a boat. It is just as GF said high free board ,wide and lots of storage. Best of all it has the pull of a true ski boat. It was a perfect fit for me and I still have it today. I hope I will never have to sell it.
    Thanks George I wish you still owned Supra.
    Last edited by michael hunter; 01-05-2010 at 09:15 AM.

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