Boatbuilding Begins
Art “Curly” Crouch begins building wooden rowboats in his father’s garage with his brother-in-law.
The Crouch Family Story
Curly’s Corner
The history, people, and photographs behind Northwestern Boat Company and Curly Craft.
Browse the Photo Archive →The Crouch Family Story
Built by Hand.
Carried Forward.
Art “Curly” Crouch started with wooden rowboats in his father’s garage. In March 1939, Northwestern Boat Company opened near Ten Mile and Evergreen in Southfield—when the area was still fields and orchards, before the Northwestern Highway corridor took shape.
After World War II, Northwestern introduced its Curly Craft mahogany inboards and outboard runabouts. The company later supplied boat kits to individual builders, school woodworking programs, and customers as far away as Greece.
Northwestern Boat Company was an OMC (Outboard Marine Corporation) dealer for Johnson and Evinrude from 1959 to around 2020. We continue to specialize in Johnson and Evinrude parts and also work with other brands.
Northwestern Opens
Northwestern Boat Company opens in March near Ten Mile and Evergreen, constructing custom boats.
The Curly Craft Line
A full line of mahogany inboards and outboard runabouts brings distinctive Michigan craftsmanship to the water.
Knowledge Carried Forward
George Crouch continues the family’s marine legacy with hard-earned knowledge, vintage inventory, and parts sourcing.
From the Archive
A Michigan boating legacy.
Original photographs and advertising preserved by the Crouch family.
From Our Customers
Customer Corners
Restorations and rebuilds shared by the people doing the work.
First customer projects coming soon.
Restoring a Johnson, Evinrude, or Curly Craft? Ask for a corner of your own →
Vintage Expertise
Johnson and Evinrude outboard and snowmobile knowledge.
New-Old-Stock Parts
Original components preserved from decades of dealership inventory.
Modern Sourcing
When it isn’t on the shelf, we can help locate the right replacement.