Matthews 46′ Sport Cruiser by Douglas Donald

The Matthews Boat Company, a name synonymous with luxury and craftsmanship, began in 1890 as a humble venture by Scott J. Matthews in his Ohio basement. Experimenting with the then-novel gasoline engines, Matthews quickly graduated to building at his father’s sawmill. Initially partnering with Lozier Company, they produced boats under the Lozier name. By 1904, Matthews struck out on his own, establishing the independent Matthews Company. The company’s reputation soared thanks to their focus on quality, building everything from speedy launches to capacious cruisers. Their success wasn’t limited to leisure craft; Matthews even supplied utility boats for the U.S. Army. A true testament to their engineering prowess came in 1912 when they built a 35-foot vessel for W.E. Scripps, designed for the daring feat of crossing the Atlantic under gasoline power. Matthews boats became prized possessions, enjoyed by both discerning clientele and boating enthusiasts. The company thrived for over eight decades, becoming a cornerstone of American boat building. However, the rise of fiberglass in the 1960s posed a challenge they couldn’t overcome, ultimately leading to the company’s closure in the mid-1970s. Despite their demise, Matthews boats remain coveted classics, a lasting symbol of an era of exquisite craftsmanship on the water.