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by GARY FORD It’s called ‘‘The Fisherman’s Dream Boat,”’ and with all its conveniences, durability and service, it could be exactly that. This boat is the Sidewinder, and is designed and custom built by Shipp’s Marine, Inc., A. E. Shipp, owner. The fast-growing business, located just outside of Glade water on Highway 80 East, is the reality of a dream of Shipp to build a boat with the fisherman in mind. The business is only a year and a half old, and al ready the building in which it is housed has had to be expanded four times, Shipp, a fitting name for his profession, built the first pilot model in July of 1966. It was not until the following October that the first boat was ready. This craft was introduced to the public on October 31, 1966. Between October and January, 16 boats were built. But now with five dealers in Louisiana, Ark ansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Colorado carrying the Side winder, production has averaged 12 boats per week, assembled by a staff of employees grown from three to 21. Shipp reports that they have produced 335 Side winders since the business began. He says that most buyers are from the East Texas area, but some have come from other States to buy the boat. The sleek fiberglass craft comes in two sizes, 14 and 16- foot. Shipp’s Marine installs all extras according to customer specifications. According to Glenn Walton, manager of Side winder, they have placed in some crafts “everything from magazine racks to office chairs and radios. ’ The builders may add speedometers, depth find ers, built-in tackle boxes, ice boxes, and electrical trolling motors, to name a few. The Sidewinder is 40 stronger than most fiberglass crafts, according to Walton. With its toughness urethane foam for flotation, and a special ly-designed bottom that means a softer and safer ride for the angler on rough waves, the boat is difficult to capsize. The bot tom also eliminates much of the spray normally in the fisher man’s face. Under each of the two mold ed bucket-type seats, two bat teries may be placed to aid the electric starter of the boat. The boat has a Silvertrot fish ing motor, equipped with Motor Guide, running lights, map lights and a cigarette lighter. Recommended horsepower on the craft is up to 55 on the 16-footer, and up to 45 on the 14-foot. While trolling, the fisherman has his hands free, as the elec tric motor is controlled by a foot pedal. A ratchet crank located on the left side of the boat raises and lowers the an chor, while under the crank and on the other side of the boat are three rod holders. The motor stick that turns the boat and motor is located just in front of the ratchet crank. The Sidewinder ranges from $560 to $3,000 in cost, depend ing on the amount of accessories the customer desires. Shipp and Walton have taken the Sidewinder to numerous boat shows. They have been im pressed by the way the fisher men took to the craft, Said Walton, “I don’t mean to brag, but each time we’ve been the star attraction.” Across the street from the assembly plant is the Marine business, run by Shipp’s oldest son, John. It has all the fisher man’s needs, as well as pro viding a showplace for the Side winder. Walton reports that they have not had a single complaint on the Sidewinder. ‘Not a boat has been brought back to us because of something we did or didn’t do,’”’ Walton said. ‘Most of the big companies stress only produc tion, We stress production and quality.’’ PACKING AND MOLDING — One of the first steps on the Sidewinder production line is for packing and molding. Walton Said the Sidewinder is 40% stronger than most fiber glass crafts. Here several Shipp employees hone out the shape of what the finished craft will resemble. These are but five of Shipp’s staff of employees, SIDEWINDER INSPECTION — A. E. Shipp, owner of Shipp’s Marine, Inc. and Sidewinder Boat Co., and Glenn Walton, manager of Sidewinder, inspect the workmanship on one of their crafts. The two men keep a close scrutiny on the production of the boats, seeing that each part fits and everything installed according to customer specifications. FINISHED PRODUCT — These two Sidewinders will soon be en route to individual buyers or dealers. Five dealerships in Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Color ado carry the Gladewater-built boat. There have been over 335 of these sleek crafts built since Shipp introduced the boat to the public on October 31, 1966. FINISHING TOUCHES — Shipp employees put the finishing touches on the 14 and 16-foot crafts, Shipp basically builds just the boat itself, but adds other customer specifications as built-in tackle boxes, refrigerators, magazine racks. Production of the Sidewinder usually averages 12 boats per week. LOVING CARE —— Whether casting the mold or flicking the dust from a finished product, loving care is given the Side winder throughout its building. This could be the reason why Walton said not one dissatisfied customer has ever come back, coming off is in the
Newspaper Details
Gladewater Mirror
Gladewater, Texas, US
Thu, Sep 05, 1968
Page 7
Full Page
Clipped by
Cathy S.
USA 11 Jul 2026
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