The Penn Yan Boat Company’s popular “Swift” model was introduced in 1950 and produced until 1959. The Swifts were offered in 10, 12, & 14 foot lengths with a 54 inch beam. The company used a composite construction method: cedar hull planking & interior ribs, oak gunwales & keels with bronze fasteners covered with canvas. The planning hull design of the “Swift” model has its bottom “Vee” decreasing as it moves to the flatter stern. This feature decreases the wetted surface while not wasting power and increases its speed and agility
This 1956 12 foot Penn Yan Swift was passed down to John Ferris from his father, Ed who purchased in about 2010. It has become a family heirloom. His father once called this Penn Yan is his favorite boat among all the other watercraft he owned. This including several Chris-Crafts, a 14 foot Sea Mac & a couple Old Town canoes.
This Swift is preserved and is the same as the day it was bought. The red & white painted canvas skin is still waterproof and the low profile makes for ease of step-in boarding from the dock or a beach. The passenger sits on the front bench seat while the boat is driven from the stern seat, which is typical of outboards of this era. It much be noted that steering from that position was a factory option on all Swift models.
Nevertheless, Jon’s Father did upgrade the starting system on the 25 horsepower 1989 Johnson outboard with an electric starting kit from another engine. The convince of starting the outboard engine with the simple push of a button was hard to resist.
The Penn Yan Company’s later model offerings were all wood until they switched to fiberglass in 1961, but unfortunately, the company after 80 years of operation closed in 2001.
