Larson began in Little Falls, Minnesota. Later production also took place in other U.S. locations as the company changed ownership and reorganized.
What types of boats did Larson build?
Larson built wooden boats at first, then fiberglass runabouts, bowriders, deck boats, and cabin cruisers. The range later included family cruisers and other recreational powerboats.
What is Larson best known for?
Larson is best known as a long-running American builder of recreational powerboats. It is especially associated with fiberglass sport boats and cruisers built for everyday family use.
Larson Boat Works was an American recreational boat builder founded by Paul Larson in Little Falls, Minnesota. The company began with wooden boats and later became known for fiberglass runabouts and cabin boats. Larson boats were produced for decades in the United States, and the brand continued under later owners after the original company changed hands.
History and shipyard
Paul Larson started building boats in the early 20th century in Little Falls, Minnesota, and the business was formally established in the 1910s. Early Larson boats were wooden craft built for local use, including hunting and fishing. The company expanded into a larger factory operation and survived major disruptions, including a 1949 fire that destroyed an earlier plant. After the rebuild, Larson resumed production and later moved into fiberglass boat construction.
Model range and design
Larson’s product line evolved from simple wooden utility boats to a broad range of recreational powerboats. Over time, the builder produced runabouts, bowriders, deck boats, and cabin cruisers, with fiberglass becoming the dominant construction material from the mid-20th century onward. The brand became especially associated with family-oriented sport boats and fast, efficient hulls. Models such as the Cabrio series reflect Larson’s later focus on express cruisers and mid-size leisure boats.
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