To complement a planned line of plywood outboard kit boats Jay Smith began working to design outboard engines. These inexpensive kits were to be assembled by homebuilders, although a few were offered assembled by dealers

   Chris Craft offered the 5-1/2 hp. Challenger motor to power the smaller boat kits in 1949. A year later the larger 10 horse Commander was introduced and that year 15,000 of these metallic blue engines were sold. Despite this success all production ceased 3 years later. The whole production facility was eventually sold to the giant Oliver Corporation. This  farm machinery company would continue production and even added a 35 HP model under their own name.