Monthly Luncheon

Guest Speaker


Ralph Meloon
​

​Nautique Boat Co.

Ralph C. Meloon, Sr. is a member of the founding family of Correct Craft, which was formed in 1925 by his parents.  Ralph has operated, built and sold boats, and promoted boating around the world since he was a lad of ten.  He is currently 98 years of age and still comes to the office almost daily.  Ralph not only promoted boating around the world but helped build Correct Craft and Nautique as a premier brand for water ski and wakeboard enthusiasts worldwide.  Ralph Meloon, Sr. is a big part of the reason the company has achieved such success.
Ralph’s first experience in boating was as a boy on Lake Conway where Correct Craft boats were tested for many years.  In those days, the 1920’s, aquaplaning – the forerunner of water skiing – was the big sport and Ralph was a frequent participant. The company has built a wide variety of boats over the years – from 12 foot fishing boats to 50 foot cruisers.  The boats built in Florida from 1925 to 1928 were sold in New York and New England until the depression started.  From 1929 to 1937 Ralph, his father and brothers traveled the eastern part of the United States giving boat rides while thrilling the customers with water toboggans, water skis, aquaplanes and gliders.  They would charge 10 cents to children and 25 cents for adults.  This allowed them to sell a few boats and pay their expenses during these lean years.
During World War II, Correct Craft built 400 storm boats in less than three weeks for the military to use to cross the Rhine River ahead of schedule.  The company refers to this as the “Miracle in Boats”.  The armies in Europe were running out of supplies and ammunition and the military needed the boats to cross the Rhine River to avoid a great loss of men.  Correct Craft originally committed to make 300 boats in 15 days.  The Government Labor Expediter requested the company work on Sunday to be able to accomplish the task.  However, this request was denied as the Meloon family wanted to complete this task without working on Sunday which was a core value of the company.  The company ended up building 306 boats ahead of schedule and received a request to build another 100 boats as other contractors were behind.  The company received the Army and Navy “E” Award for the “miracle production”.  But, that was not the end of Correct Craft’s involvement in the war.  Ralph also helped develop the P.L.C., a secret weapon to invade Japan.  However, it was never used as two atomic bombs were dropped on major cities in Japan. 
Also during World War II, Cypress Gardens started the water ski show and Ralph was the first boat driver for the shows.  Correct Craft boats were used at Cypress Gardens for over 50 years, and Ralph and Dick Pope, Sr. remained friends throughout Dick’s life.