1963 Egg Harbor Express Cruiser was designed by Ted Haggas and built in Egg Harbor, NJ., modeled after the famous Maine lobster boats to be fast and extremely seaworthy.
I purchased Bruno from Inger McGinnis’s estate 3 years ago who had been 2nd owner since delivered new in San Diego. It is only one of 3 known to not have a fly bridge. Over the past three years extensive restoration has taken place with the majority of the work done by myself. She has been refastened, some new planks have been replaced. The bottom, hull and boot stripe were refinished, along with the top coat finishes. 90% of her systems were updated including, electrical, refrigeration, heat, pumps and engine upgrades. Bruno constructed of single planked carvel mahogany over oak frames. This is the first summer of extensive cruising for Bruno, having spent most of her time in fresh wasters of Lake Washington. Bruno is a member of the CYA (Classic Yacht Association), where she attends festivals and shows when not cruising the Salish Sea.
History of Egg Harbor Boats
John E. Leek and Russell Post initially went into business together in 1946 to build 14-foot rowboats. After two other partners joined, Ted Haggas (well known for his Jersey Sea Skiffs) designed a 28-foot skiff that the partners launched under the name of Egg Harbor Boat Company.
The company was founded by Russell Post, who had previously co-founded the original Egg Harbor Yacht Company. He was well-suited for the task, for at the age of 15, he had built his first boat in which he later won an international sailing championship.
Russell always approached boat building with the same energy and enthusiasm. For example, he sold his only car in order to purchase the cedar needed to build the very first Egg Harbor (hull #1). Other operating funds were generated by building and selling small skiffs and sailboats.
The natural inlets of the South Jersey coast, where currents scoured the channels and ocean waves crashed through unchecked, proved to be an ideal testing ground for those early models. Mr. Post made it a point to personally run each boat in order to assure its seaworthiness in all sea conditions.
After the sale of Egg Harbor, Russell enjoyed a short-lived retirement. By 1957 he was back in the boat building business with a new nameplate and company, aptly named Post Marine. With a solid reputation for building quality boats, Russell took the next logical step and opened the current Post facility located on the Great Egg Harbor River in Mays Landing, New Jersey. “Yachts of Quality, Not Quantity Since 1957” was the new company’s slogan . . . reflecting a philosophy which has remained management’s position today.