When Leon Slikkers brought the Slickcraft SS195 to the market in 1966, the trend was toward building utility-style boats. The SS195, with its twin bucket seats forward and bench seat aft, was built purely for pleasure.

Slikkers had founded Slickcraft in 1954 in Holland, Michigan, after leaving Chris-Craft. His original boats were crafted from sheet plywood, and his first production fiberglass boats came in 1958. By 1961 the entire Slickcraft line was based on fiberglass production.

'It wasn't that difficult to make the transition,' says Slikkers. 'There were a lot of builders that didn't want to give up the woodworking aspect of it. I loved working with the wood, and although it was hard to give that up, our customers were going to fiberglass, so we had to go with them.'

When the SS195 was introduced, Slickcraft was already well established in the national market. Its product line consisted of seven runabouts, from the 15-foot-3-inch SS150 up to the 22-foot-3-inch SS235. And while all were excelling in their own markets, the SS195 took a step into a completely different arena: the hot sports-boat market. In this category, the no-nonsense styling and the strength of the Slickcraft name carried it high above the rest of the field.

Power on the SS195 ranged from a 120-hp MerCruiser all the way up to a 200-hp OMC V8. 'The OMC 200 made it very fast,' recalls Slikkers. 'It was the most popular power choice.'' In keeping with its strong woodworking heritage, Slickcraft featured an all-teak instrument panel on the SS195, along with a teak panel accessing the 25-gallon fuel tank in the bilge. Side panels were glove vinyl, and the floors featured vinyl carpeting. There was an optional fishing model available in 1966that came with a textured fiberglass floor and fiberglass side panels for easier maintenance. At 18 feet 2 inches in length and with a beam of 86 inches, the SS195 weighed about 2,000 pounds.

In 1970, the SS195 was reinvented with a shorter 17-foot-6-inch overall length and a new deep-V hull design. Engine options now included a 215-hp OMC.

The SS195 featured a laminated safety-glass windshield with ventilation from a tilt-out lower section. The interior featured bucket seats in the front and a bench seat along the rear deck. Though modified through the years, the instrument panel was always tastefully done using teak as the primary design element. A canvas top was standard, stowing neatly behind the rear seat. In 1970, Slikkers sold Slickcraft to AMF, which had turned to the marine industry to diversify itself. It would later buy Crestliner, Hatteras and Alcort to round out its lineup. Slikkers opted to stay on board to head AMF's marine division.

In 1972, a 245-hp jet was offered along with the I/O power options for those with a real sense of urgency. To keep pace with this higher level of gas consumption, a larger fuel tank of 34 gallons was added. All the standard equipment the 195 was known for remained part of the package, such as carpeting, ventilating windshield, convertible top, and a full array of gauges.

The SS195 was part of the Slickcraft lineup through the 1976 model year when the entire line underwent major changes. Slikkers had left the company in 1974 to pursue other interests within the industry, but bought the Slickcraft name back in 1980 after AMF stopped building the boats.

'Our boats have always had good basic designs that aren't too trendy,' says Slikkers. 'We've tried not to follow the lead of the automotive market. I feel that a boat should look like a boat. There's a certain romantic charm that goes with it. That's why our boats still look good today.'