G-W Invader

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G-W Invader was a line of small recreational powerboats built in Sharpsville, Indiana by Arne Gray and George Wooldridge. Production started in 1967 with 10-foot and 16-foot boats. The “G-W” name comes from the founders’ last names. The boats had fiberglass hulls over a wood frame and were offered in various colors.

Ownership changed hands a few times. Gray sold his share to Wooldridge before moving to Florida (he died in 1997). Roger Harmon bought the company in 1985 and sold it in 1995 to an investment firm. The company expanded to a new factory in Tipton, Indiana in 1993, but soon afterward filed for bankruptcy and stopped making boats in 1997. Harmon later started Harmon Boats Fiberglas Specialists in Sharpsville and Cicero.

Models
- 10-foot: Looked like a racing boat with a very shallow V-hull and used only outboard power. Seating options included a bench or two bucket seats. In the 1970s a newer 10-foot version used a more conventional V-hull and could seat five (rear bench plus two front bucket seats) with a top speed around 74 mph from a 100 hp engine. Some versions featured a tunnel hull, which was unusual for recreational boats at the time.
- 16-foot: Traveled four people and could be powered by a stern drive or an outboard. It had a squared nose. There was also an inboard variant with two individual seats, a bench, and a small sleeping cabin, available in gold or silver.