LIVING HISTORY
later reassembled the building on Willoughby Creek and in
1947 Whiticar Boat Works was born.
The first boat that Curt made in the shop was the Hobo — a
bright red vessel that was powered by a pair of 225-horsepower
seaworthy. He made it for his brother, Jack. The boat maker
soon made a name for himself among anglers and would
build celebrated boats like Gannett II, Aphrodite, and Patsea V.
The Sea Lion — another legendary Whiticar boat — was
owned by Robert Abplanalp of Precision Valve Corp. The
54-foot sports fisher graced the shores of Walker Cay in the
Bahamas, where Abplanalp fished with his good friend President
that time and remembers how it had a tremendous impact on
raising fish.
“I had won a number of tournaments with that boat
because it would draw the fish up,” he said. “It went in the
water very gently. It was an easy pushing boat because of its
length to width characteristics. And with that it would create
a really nice undisturbed wake behind it. When you put a set
of baits down — a spread of lures — you could set them up
and the fish would get drawn into the boat very close.”
Curt created more than 60 custom Whiticar boats until he
retired at 75. Since then, his son, John, and his nephew Jim
Dragseth have taken over the helm, running four divisions of
the company on the Treasure Coast.
SAILING INTO THE SUNSET
During his retirement, Curt approached his pastimes with
64
TREASURE COAST BOATING
RICK CRARY
>>
Chrysler engines and proved fast and exceptionally
Richard Nixon. Jim Carey captained the vessel during
Curt poses with his last painting of the family boathouse on Willoughby Creek, which was a gift for his son, John.
WHITICAR FAMILY
Curt and his family were never far from the water as shown in the 1950s
enjoying a fun day at the beach.