Cowell Boat Works
Kanallys' 1957 16' Cowell King with 1960 Mercury 45 hp outboard, Tenkiller Lake, OK, 2003
Welcome! This site was created to preserve the memory of Cowell Boat Works, and to find and unite Cowell boat owners wherever they may be.
Cowell Boat Works was a family-owned boat manufacturing business in Erie, PA. Active from the mid 1950s until 1960, Cowell manufactured some of the most attractive and durable lapstrake and mahogany watercraft ever conceived.
Cowell Marque Club created to support Cowell owners!
Through the support and encouragement of the Antique and Classic Boat Society, we have created the Cowell Marque Club, an organization for owners of Cowell Boats dedicated to the preservation and restoration of Cowell boats and the discovery and preservation of Cowell Boat Works documentation. Before long, we'll be able to provide additional history and details regarding the origins of Cowell Boats.
Efforts are underway to locate and catalogue Cowell Boat Works information. The Erie Maritime Museum already has a number of Cowell documents and photographs archived, and continues to collect information and artifacts. We are interested in including all Cowell boat owners in this effort. Send us an email with your contact information by clicking the Join Now button below. We'll respond with full information (no charge)!
Join Now!
Cowells, Cowells, everywhere!
Curtis Pound of Fairport, NY has a Cowell that has been in his family since 1980. See photo at the end of the Models section!
Mike Best of Fairfield, Ohio (near Cincinnati), has a Cowell Viking for sale. Check it out!
See original brochures as well as modern day photos of various Cowell models in the models section.
Bob Summers, who lives on Grosse Ile, MI at the mouth of the Detroit River on Lake Erie has a '59 King!! Restoration underway soon!
Here is the oldest surviving Cowell known to exist. This 1957 King bears the serial number B1126.
This King, the oldest Cowell known to exist, was in the Kober family for many years. Like many classic boats, this Cowell holds special significance for its owners. Karen Contino reports that her mom, Joyce Kober, who passed away on March 5, 2007, left her children with many memories of their younger years when she taught them all to water ski and kept their Cowell in great condition. The boat has recently been acquired by the Ingersons, who are planning a restoration soon.
Feel free to e-mail us with any ideas, questions, or Cowell Boat sightings!
See a very nice newspaper article on Cowell Boat Works published by the Erie Times News by visiting their website at http://www.goerie.com/, and enter the words Cowell Boat Works in the search window.
There are about 15 known surviving Cowells. Many have been nicely maintained by their owners. This 1959 Sportsman in Connecticut is a perfect example.
This 18' Cowell Sportsman is powered by a Mercury 50 hp and has a 6 hp Johnson trolling motor.
Kanallys' 1957 Cowell King taking a spin on Moss Lake near Gainesville, TX in 2006
