1950s Chris Craft Kiddie Boat Ride
Hand-crafted mahogany wood from Coney Island’s best wood carvers and mechanics
Design paid homage to popular Chris Craft mahogany runabouts.
Product of a thorough restoration
This coin-operated Chris Craft kiddie boat ride was produced in the 1950s by W.F. Mangels Co. in Coney Island NY. Handcrafted out of mahogany just like the popular Chris Crafts runabouts of the period, this kiddie ride was one of many popular carnival rides that the company produced over its tenured history.
The woody craze was not just limited to the road in the 1940s and 50s. Magnificent wooden boats such as Rivas and Chris Crafts were some of the most desirable items in the world during this time, and the most expensive also, meaning for many kids, this kiddie ride may have been their only ride in a Chris Craft!
William Mangels was known as the “Wizard of Eighth Street” and opened his own factory in 1886, aspiring to become a household name in the fun and recreation industry. Mangels set up shop in Coney Island, producing everything from roller coasters to carousels and small rides like this. Mangels hired Coney Island’s best wood carvers and mechanics, who also immigrated to the U.S. Knowing authenticity was a major factor in carnival popularity, the company cut no corners on rides like this Chris Craft. Hand built out of real mahogany; this is about as authentic as a carnival ride was back in this period. They sure don’t make ‘em like they used to!
Having held more than fifty patents for amusements he designed, including wave pools, shooting galleries, carousels, and coasters, one of Mangels’ patents includes the mechanism that controls the “galloping” motion of horse kiddie rides. As a result of this patent, it set the design standard within the amusement park ride industry, leading the company to produce the first kiddie rides in the 1950s, with the Chris Craft Boat being one of them. Kiddie boat rides built to this standard are rare to come by now, especially in such great condition, making them highly sought-after items from antiquities collectors and enthusiasts. This kiddie boat ride you see is a stunning example with accurate restoration work, ready for the next young boater to hop in for a ride.