NMMA mourns loss of Vic Porter, Formula Boats Visionary and NMMA Hall of Fame inductee
by National Marine Manufacturers Association 29 Oct 2021 09:37 PDT
Victor B. Porter © National Marine Manufacturers Association
Alongside the industry, NMMA is mourning the loss of longtime owner and chairman emeritus of Formula Boats, Vic Porter. Porter, a 2016 recipient of the NMMA Hall of Fame Award, passed away at the age of 90 on Oct. 24.
In an announcement, Formula Boats honored Vic as "the heart" of the company, who transformed Formula Boats into the world-renowned brand it is today. A lifelong boater, his career was defined by his passion for boating and determination to improve the design and quality of boats.
Vic began his career in the marine industry in 1957 as a salesman. Dissatisfied with the quality of the product he represented, he decided that he could build a better boat. In 1958, he borrowed $3,000 and founded Duo Marine in Decatur, Indiana. The company's first model boat was a 14-ft. twin outboard powered catamaran, which was followed by several runabout craft, tri-hulls, and a tunnel-hulled craft. As Vic grew the company, he acquired the Aqua Swan aluminum boat and Crownline runabout brands and moved production of both lines to Decatur. Vic sold Duo Marine to Bangor Punta, owner of Starcraft Boats in 1967, and remained president of Duo until 1970.
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