Proudly Made in the USA: American Boatbuilders From Coast to Coast
American Boatbuilders are going strong and have a bright future.
It’s not an easy task to identify boatbuilders who manufacturer and assemble their products solely in the United States. Many well-known brands are U.S. companies, but choose to have their models built in other parts of the world, which is fine, as there are some really well-designed yachts built overseas as well. We’ll focus on them in our September issue. But July is when the U.S. declared its independence from Great Britain, and we celebrate the month by showcasing just some of the boat manufacturers that helped contribute to the U.S. economy through employing workers and providing products and services to those who not only love boating but also rely on it for their own support and well-being. They, in turn, provide a service to others by offering rentals, charters, tours, transportation, and more. What goes around, comes around. Enjoy learning more about these American boatbuilders below.
Maverick
Totaling more than 300,000 square feet of manufacturing space, Maverick Boat Group, Inc. (MBG) has been the builder of four distinct and iconic, high-quality boat brands for more than 35 years. Their Maverick, Hewes, Pathfinder, and Cobia brands have been industry leaders in the technical poling skiff, flats boat, bay boat, center console, and dual console categories. Over the years, MBG has given millions in funding and support to various conservation organizations, including the Coastal Conservation Association, Bonefish Tarpon Trust, the Everglades Foundation, Center for Sportfishing Policy, and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. In 2022, MBG introduced the Pathfinder 2400 TRS, which quickly became the top-selling 24-foot bay boat. The boat is prized for her versatility from the serious fishing grounds to the sandbar. With slightly higher sides than a typical bay boat, she has added big water security and increased family comfort without sacrificing draft and angling performance. maverickboatgroup.com
Sabre
Sabre was founded by Roger Hewson in 1970. Since then, the 54-year-old company has fine-tuned an exemplary reputation for building pretty boats with excellent hulls that have a level of fit and finish that customers can take to the bank. Sabre’s first launch was a 28-foot sailing vessel. Hewson invested a lot of his capital into research and development, as well as fiberglass construction, and the result was a vessel that garnered much fanfare at the Newport Boat Show in Rhode Island. The boat was so popular that Sabre built 588 of them over the model’s lifespan. By 1989, Sabre had broadened its appeal, launching a “fast trawler” motoryacht with lots of interior space and performance that put many slower trawlers to shame. Every Sabre yacht is meticulously crafted and supported from the facility in Raymond, Maine. sabreyachts.com
Smoker Craft
No matter how you measure it, Smoker Craft has been around for a long, long time. The boatbuilder started as an oar and paddle company back in 1903. By 1921, it seemed more profitable not just to propel boats but to actually build them, too, and Smoker Craft began in earnest. The New Paris, Indiana, builder has a full lineup of fast, tough, and usable vessels meant to get as many people out on the water and having fun as possible. Particularly popular with anglers going for bass and walleye on the waterways of the Midwest, these boats are built to take a lickin’ and keep on tickin’. Standard features like rod stowage, bait coolers, accessible rigging, and cockpit floor drains are a favorite among serious sportsmen and weekend warriors alike. With more than 100 years of experience, Smoker Craft is one builder who has its market figured out perfectly. smokercraft.com
Hacker-Craft
Hacker Boat Company was founded in 1908 by naval architect John L. Hacker. The company has designed and built some of the most exclusive and iconic runabouts throughout its legacy. Today, Hacker-Craft is a custom boatbuilder, headquartered in Queensbury, New York, where it builds 10 new boats and restores more than 40 boats each year. Hacker-Craft’s innovation and flare for design continues to evolve with each generation to deliver a timeless feeling with modern convenience. Each Hacker-Craft is bespoke for its owner and craftsmanship is second to none. hackerboat.com
World Cat
World Cat is a brand of choice for many and known for delivering a smoother, more stable, more enjoyable experience from entertaining at the dock to navigating the deepest waters. The origin of World Cat can be traced back over a quarter of a century to the beginning of the Glacier Bay Edition boats in America’s Pacific Northwest. Today, World Cat is the largest maker of power catamarans in the world. Headquartered in Tarboro, North Carolina, with a second production facility in Greenville, North Carolina, World Cat produces 14 center console, dual console, and sun deck models ranging from 23 feet to 40 feet. The latest models include the 235TE tournament edition, the 260CC-X, 260DC-X, and the 400CC-X. worldcat.com
Back Cove
In 2003, Sabre Yachts, founded by Roger Hewson in 1970, launched Back Cove Yachts in response to dealers seeing an interest in smaller, lobsterboat-style crafts that would work well for an owner-operator. The Back Cove 29 was launched soon after, and so was a new brand. Today, the two yards are the largest recreational boatbuilding company in Maine, where America’s first ships were built on the shores of the Kennebec River as early as 1607. Utilizing production line method and vacuum-infusion technology, Back Cove Yachts is an industry leader in 34- to 41-foot cruisers with more than 750 yachts found in harbors around the world. Back Cove Yachts are built by 200 of the finest boatbuilders in a modern 240,000-square-foot facility in Rockland, Maine. Team dynamics, an emphasis on safe procedures and cross training, and a thorough awareness of each model’s competitive position in the marketplace have enabled are essential ingredients that allow Back Cove yachts to exceed today’s high standards of excellence in manufacturing and design. backcoveyachts.com
Cruisers
Cruisers was established in 1953, with operations set up in the former Holt Lumber planing mill in Oconto, Wisconsin. Initial output for the nascent builder was centered around producing 14- and 16-foot lapstrake boats. By 1954, Cruisers had a spot at the New York Boat Show in Manhattan and introduced a 19-foot, 3-inch cabin-cruiser model with amenities like a sink, stove, cabin lights, and cushioned berths for four people. A focus on interiors would become a calling card for the company, which is known for building boats with lots of interior volume and maximized onboard comfort. By 1960, Cruisers was producing 3,000 wooden boats per year, but the onset of fiberglass saw them dump the material altogether by 1966. After some growing pains, the company found its stride and began turning out fiberglass models that were a regular sight on the East Coast and in the Great Lakes region. Today, Cruisers remains one of the country’s preeminent builders of mid-size motoryachts, like the 50 GLS (inset). cruisersyachts.com
Tiara
Tiara Powerboats was founded in 1976 as a branch of Leon Slikkers S2 Yachts, which he had established two years earlier. The first two models were a 20-foot Overnighter and a 25-foot Vacationer. Tiara was meant as a more cruise- and family-friendly boat than its cousin, the fishier Pursuit line. Tiaras are now built in Holland, Michigan, and have carved out a special place as an American boatbuilder. The vessels are known for sporty performance mixed with a versatile and rugged attitude that has led many to compare them to SUVs of the sea. In 2022, Tiara launched the EX60, a proper yacht with high-end finishings and enough space for long cruises through the islands. Her little sister, the EX54 (inset), highlights the can-do attitude that has always been at the heart of Tiara. tiarayachts.com
Grady-White
Grady-White has made itself nothing short of a legend in the sportfishing world. The Greenville, North Carolina, builder has been in business since 1959, but it was when Eddie Smith purchased Grady-White in 1968 that the company shot into overdrive, steadily producing fiberglass fishing machines. The builder thrives on having a close relationship with its owners, and it offers nearly any fishing amenity an owner could want. It’s no wonder that Grady-White has become nothing short of an icon in the angling world, with strong crossover appeal to cruisers looking for durable and sporty performance. gradywhite.com
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Caymas
Caymas was founded in 2018 in Ashland City, Tennessee. The brand prides itself on building high-quality vessels using meticulous construction standards. Founder Earl Bentz is a marine-industry veteran who leveraged 30 years of experience to start his brand. He also leveraged important contacts, one in particular is the much-lauded designer Michael Peters, who blessed Caymas with a Stepped-Vee Ventilated Tunnel Hull by reducing drag, increasing speed, and providing greater fuel efficiency. Caymas turns out both freshwater and saltwater vessels that are perfectly adapted to their respective environments. caymasboats.com
Intrepid
Intrepid was founded in 1983 with the purpose of building the most customizable boats on the market. Bespoke options have always been at the core of this builder’s ethos, and that philosophy has served well as it broke into the upper echelons of boating. The builder began operations in Opa-Locka, Florida, before eventually moving on to other locations: the manufacturing facility in Largo, Florida, the sales center in Dania, Florida, and the new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Swansboro, North Carolina, from where the new 60 Evolution model will emerge. intrepidpowerboats.com
Solara
Fluid Motion builds three iconic boat brands—Solara, Cutwater, and Ranger Tugs—near Seattle, Washington. In 1998, John Livingston and his wife, Jennifer, bought a small boatbuilder with one model and brought in John’s father, Dave, along with an incredible team to execute their vision. Together, they combined their love for family, fun, and boats into one of the largest U.S. builders of trailerable cruisers. Known for innovation, the brands feature retractable seating, fold-down flybridges, Clear Path swim platforms, advanced stepped hull designs, and more. The Solara line is the sportiest offered by the builder and are meant as easy-to-operate, family-friendly boats that are perfect for a day on the water. They also make great sandbar boats as they are fast and nimble and can turn any boat ride into a proper thrill. Solara currently offers five different models ranging in size from a 250 to a 310. These outboard models also excel at fishing with lots of options available to keep fisherman smiling and fish boxes full. solaraboats.com
Formula
Celebrating 68 years of ongoing advancement in marine manufacturing, Formula’s tradition of excellence continues to surpass expectations with the ultimate goal of providing consistently gratifying experiences on the water with family and friends. Since 1976, Formula has been 100 percent owned and managed by the Porter family and focused on continual product improvement throughout the line, from the smallest bowrider to the superlative 500 SSC. Although he passed in 2021, Vic Porter leaves a lasting legacy of visionary design, superior execution, and most importantly, a satisfied and pleased customer. A dedicated team of employees do their best every day, combining premium materials with detailed fit and finish to achieve the extraordinary standard of quality required in a Formula. The Porters realize the importance of responsive, customer-oriented service for owners, addressing issues through area dealerships, authorized service centers, and the technical assistance team located at the manufacturing facility. formulaboats.com
Jupiter
Jupiter has an interesting backstory as one of the first boats to meld offshore racing with offshore fishing. In 1989, a group of go-fast enthusiasts got together and reasoned that the same hulls they loved to race would also be good for fishing, as anglers could get out to the fish and back to the docks more quickly than a battlewagon. The result was the first Jupiter 31 center console, an outboard-powered speedster. The hull had a fine entry forward and a step moving aft. This design allowed the boat to slice through rough water like a speedboat en route to schools of mahi and billfish. They named the boat for Jupiter, Florida, and the dedicated anglers thereabouts. In the ensuing years, Jupiter has become a staple as a tournament boat, gentleman’s angler, and as a fast cruiser. Due to the high build quality, the boats have also found a welcoming market as superyacht tenders. jupitermarine.com
Four Winns
Four Winns was actually founded by four guys named Winn. In 1975, John Winn, his father Bill Sr., and brothers Bill Jr. and Charlie acquired a struggling boat company based in Cadillac, Michigan, and branded it as their own. Four Winns has become one of the most beloved and family-friendly builders in the country, known for turning out versatile and seaworthy crafts at reasonable price points. In 2014, the builder was bought by the French giant Beneteau, becoming a key cog in that company’s plan to take on the North American market. From the all-new H9 bowrider to the TH36 catamaran, Four Winns remains committed to elevating the joys of boating. fourwinns.com
Mystic
When people think of fast boats, they think of Mystic. The company was founded in Melbourne, Florida, in 1996 by John Cosker. Operations shortly moved to Port Orange because of the easy access to the Daytona Inlet. The company improved business steadily, and again changed locations to Deland to keep up with growing demand. Mystic got a big boost in 2007, when Dave Scott, owner of the Bud Select racing team, commissioned a C5000. Scott’s influence in the go-fast world helped to cement Mystic as a leader in the space. The builder has set many speed records with its racing boats, and that flair for the wild side has spilled over into its recreational boats. mysticpowerboats.com
Bertram
Bertram is one of the most storied names in sportfishing and for good reason. Bertrams have been traveling the world and raising fish for nearly a century. Richard Bertram was a lifelong boater who founded the Corinthian Yacht Club during his days at Cornell University. After school, he began a yacht brokerage in Miami in 1947. By 1960, his interests had expanded beyond sailing and into powerboating, and he built the famous Moppie, named after his wife. That boat shot Bertram into the stratosphere, and it soon became the name in sportfishing, producing classic after classic. A series of buyouts saw the builder change hands numerous times over the years, and it is presently owned by Italy’s The Gavio Group. Its latest model is a 61 convertible that launched in Newport, Rhode Island, in 2018. Sadly, Richard Bertram passed away in 2000, but his legacy will live on forever. bertram.com
NorthCoast
Known as a premier boatbuilder producing high-quality fishing and recreational boats, NorthCoast Boats is owned and built by C&C Marine Inc. The 60,000-square-foot, climate-controlled, production facility in Bristol, Rhode Island, is where it builds, tests, and commissions all its models including the recently launched NorthCoast 415HT. NorthCoast uses all composite material in each boat it builds. The company honors its commitment to build rugged, versatile, performance fishing and cruising boats. NorthCoast is confident that its valued customers cannot own a better built boat. northcoastboats.com
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Stingray
South Carolina’s Stingray Boats was founded by Al Fink in 1979. By 1981, Fink had set a mark in the Guinness Book of World Records by traveling 1,804 miles down the Mississippi River, and set another first in 1989 when Stingray began using robotics lamination to build its models. A five-axis CNC router was soon to follow, solidifying Stingray’s place as one of the most forward-thinking builders. In 2001, Stingray launched an online forum that allowed owners to connect directly with one another. This helped strengthen the bonds of the Stingray “family,” one of Fink’s core tenets for the brand. stingrayboats.com
Scout
Steve Potts is a veteran of the marine industry. The founder and president of Scout, he has been working with boats since he was just 14 years old. As a young man, he scrimped and saved with a dream in mind—to start his own boat company. Once he had $50,000 in the bank, he took an entrepreneurial leap and started Scout Boats in the late 1980s. In the beginning, it was just him and his wife, Diane, as well as an apprentice or two, and they worked wherever they could find space. The first boat Potts and company built was a 14-footer inspired by designs from the 1960s. Soon Potts’ endeavor had grown and he was working with seven dealers in the Carolinas. Today, it is known as one of the world’s top center-console builders, turning out serious fishing boats with a high level of cruisability, as well as tenders to some of the world’s most beloved megayachts. scoutboats.com
Blackfin
Since its founding in 1973, Blackfin Boats has been dedicated to creating high-quality fishing boats celebrated for their durability, performance, and innovation. Reintroduced in 2017, the brand’s legacy is carried forward by Co-chairmen Charles and Jeff Marshall. As a family-owned and operated company with deep American roots in Williston, Florida, their dedication to boating continues Blackfin’s iconic tradition. Manufactured in one of the largest boat production facilities globally, Blackfin Boats creates lasting memories and remarkable journeys on waterways worldwide. blackfinboats.com
Cobia
Cobia has more than 60 years in the boating business, and its legacy continues to grow. Acquired by the highly respected boatbuilder Maverick Boat Group (MBG) in 2005, the Cobia brand was quickly elevated to a level on par with MBG’s other industry-leading brands: Maverick, Hewes, and Pathfinder. This meant not only making the boats better in every respect but making them the top of their class. An aggressive new model rollout schedule ensued, and today, Cobia is one of the top-selling fishing boats in the country. Built in state-of-the-art facilities in Fort Pierce, Florida, Cobia boats are known for their versatility, quality, and performance. cobiaboats.com
Aviara
With a 55-year history of turning out some of the country’s most popular boats, MasterCraft is nothing short of an icon on domestic waters. In 2019, the builder decided to take some styling cues from across the pond and launched Aviara, a line of sporty and stylish models. Located in Merritt Island, Florida, each Aviara boat is designed, engineered, and hand-built to embody superior quality and innovation. Aviara’s facility spans approximately 150,000 square feet on 38 acres. Private water access, a dedicated launch ramp, a travel lift, and a marina for rigorous water testing provide an ideal operation environment. aviaraboats.com
Everglades
Everglades’ founder Bob Dougherty was the founding father of the modern-day center console. He continued to push the limits of what was possible to create the best boat in the industry, debuting RAMCAP, Everglades’ patented Rapid Molded Core Construction Process. RAMCAP uses high-density foam that is pre-molded to fit precisely between the hull and liner. It ensures a comfortable, drier, and safer boat by reducing sound and vibration before it reaches the deck. The process is used on every Everglades center console. Everglades is continuously innovating to ensure the way it engineers boats exceeds expectations and honors Dougherty’s legacy. evergladesboats.com
Sea Vee
Originally founded in 1974 by Miami native Captain Don McGee, Sea Vee Boats was born from the demand for a boat capable of withstanding the most rigorous fishing experience. Ariel Pared discovered Sea Vee in 1993 when he ordered his first boat from the company. McGee quickly sparked his interest and imagination as he included Pared in the build process of his boat, allowing for opportunities to customize it. Pared was sold, not just on the boat but also on the company culture and its unique customer experience. He and two friends bought the company and expanded its lineup to include luxury features. seaveeboats.com
Regal
In 1969, Paul and Carol Kuck founded Regal Boats and formed a legacy that defined a new standard in boating luxury. Today, Regal is synonymous with state-of-the-art craftsmanship and builds world-class boats from 20-50 feet. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, its team remains as unified, strong, and family-focused as its founders were in 1969. And even as it continues to thrive, the ever-growing Regal Boats family carries Paul and Carol’s founding philosophy that faith and stewardship will always guide the way. regalboats.com
Sailfish
After years of building boats side-by-side with employees, building a dealer network, as well as delivery-finished new Sailfish boats, founder Paul Hoppes Jr. bought a 20-foot Seacraft’s tooling. This launched the Sailfish brand and propelled the boat forward to use the Variable Degree Stepped Hull—a hallmark of Sailfish to this day. Headquartered in Cairo, Georgia, Sailfish Boats builds 11 models of center console and dual console configurations. sailfishboats.com
Release Boatworks
Originally from New Jersey, Jim Turner, founder and owner of Release Boatworks, has been in Florida for more than 20 years. After years of restoring classic wooden boats, a friend suggested Turner build his own boat. Based on his first boat, Release, a 37 Merritt, he started Release Boatworks in 2009. He modeled his first build after that Merritt and used modern production techniques to create a boat that looked and acted like the old boats but with a soft ride, an efficient hull, a huge cockpit, and low maintenance. “They don’t have to be different to be better,” he says, “They just need to be better to be different.” releaseboatworks.com
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Monterey
Founded by brothers Charles and Jeff Marshall in 1985, Monterey Boats remains one of the few family-owned and operated marine manufacturers still led by its original founders. From the outset, the Marshalls committed to designing, developing, and building superior boats. Headquartered in Williston, Florida, with more than 500 dedicated team members, Monterey Boats has consistently prioritized quality, design, and ease of maintenance. Monterey offers a comprehensive line of boats ranging from 22 feet to 40 feet. As Monterey celebrates its 40th anniversary, it continues to set the standard for excellence on the water. montereyboats.com
EdgeWater
Bob Dougherty left his job at another boat manufacturer in 1992 to pursue his dream of making a new, superior boat. The 18-foot Marlin Center Console was developed in a garage in Edgewater, Florida, that was a rugged, unsinkable boat featuring “Permagrid” construction. EdgeWater Boats was founded in 1996, and joined forces with the Nimbus Group in 2023 to share resources and technologies. Today, EdgeWater Boats employs more than 175 people in a 94,000-square-foot facility that produces its boats using its trademark Single-Piece Infusion process. ewboats.com
Wellcraft
Bill Davis and Ed Crafton founded the Wellcraft Marine Corporation in Sarasota, Florida, in 1955, and began building small 14- to 17-foot wooden runabouts. By the 1960s, molded fiberglass was the new innovation and Wellcraft constructed small cuddy cabin boats up to 23 feet. Wellcraft is also known for the Scarab design which gave the company high-performance powerboat status. Since 2014, it has been owned by the Beneteau Group. wellcraft.com
Viking
The Viking Yacht Company is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. Bill and Bob Healey co-founded the company on April 1, 1964. The New Gretna, New Jersey, plant stretches for nearly a quarter of a mile, with five manufacturing lines where yachts from 38 to 90 feet are built. Between its New Gretna and Mullica facilities, the company has about 1 million square feet of manufacturing space. The Viking Yacht Company comprises Viking Yachts, Valhalla Boatworks, Princess Yachts America, and several subsidiaries such as Atlantic Marine Electronics, Palm Beach Towers, and the Viking Service Center in Florida. vikingyachts.com
Bahama Boat Works
Located in West Palm Beach, Florida, Bahama Boat Works, known as the “Bentley of fishing boats,” produces luxury fishing vessels of uncompromising quality. In 2019, Scott Henley became the majority owner, bringing his extensive fishing and boating experience to refine the boatbuilding process. Henley’s meticulous attention to detail ensures each boat is the best center console on the market. Bahama Boats feature high-performance molded hulls, offering speed, seaworthiness, and a smooth ride. Renowned owners like Greg Norman, Dustin Johnson, and the Crown Prince of Dubai attest to the brand’s prestige. bahamaboatworks.com
Cigarette Racing
Cigarette Racing was founded in 1969 by visionary Don Aronow in Miami, Florida. Globally known for incredible power, supreme design and exclusive style, Cigarette boats are proudly handcrafted by skilled craftsmen who have been with the company for decades and have a passion for creating luxurious and powerful vessels. From its inception to Aronow’s death in 1987, the company grew in size and reputation, based on the hard-driving, fast-lane living of its founder. Effortlessly combining cutting-edge designs with power, precision, comfort, and prestige, Cigarette redefines versatility and performance, including in their latest center consoles that encompass the unmistakable power of Cigarette while also providing clients with unparalleled comfort, space, and convenience. Cigarette creates an electrifying experience for the ultimate way to enjoy a day out with family and friends. cigaretteracing.com
Albury Brothers
The Albury family began building boats in 1952 in Abaco, Bahamas. In 2003, Jeff Lichterman was licensed by the family to produce Albury Brothers Boats in Florida and ensure that the Florida-built boat was the same great quality. Materials used and construction performed in Riviera Beach, Florida, continue the Albury family tradition with more than 500 boats built in the 20- to 33-foot range. Albury Brothers Boats were built in wood until 1985 when first fiberglass boat was lofted off the last wooden hull. Adam Lichterman has become an excellent boatbuilder and is the next generation to carry on the Albury Brothers Florida tradition. alburybrothers.com
American Tug
Naval architect Lynn Senour, whose father was a fisherman on Alaska’s notorious Bering Sea, based her design on those hearty trawlers that braved some of the world’s most treacherous waters. American Tug, as you might imagine, is a brand synonymous with seakeeping and safety. The builder’s first model was the 34/365, which offered excellent levels of cruisability for a boat of its size, thanks to its interior volume and its eye toward owner-operatorship. Popular in the Pacific Northwest and on the Great Loop, American Tug owners are seasoned boaters with a passion for quality and adventure. americantugs.com
Pursuit
In 1977, the boat manufacturer S2 Yachts launched its fishing line, appropriately named Pursuit Boats. Pursuit has a rich history spanning nearly half a century with deep roots in the Fort Pierce, Florida, area having moved operations into a 250,000 sq. ft. facility there in 1983. In 2020, Pursuit expanded with the addition of a high-tech 182,000 sq. ft. plant right next door. Pursuit vessels are instantly recognizable by their elegant and sturdy lines. Known for its versatility, the brand has staunchly aligned itself with adventure, acting as a platform for fishermen, divers, cruisers, and other thrill-seekers. Today, it offers a lineup of sport center console, dual console, and offshore boats that is the envy of many competitors and completely Pure. Pursuit. pursuitboats.com
Jarrett Bay Boatworks
Jarrett Bay Boatworks, founded in 1986, has delivered more than 100 custom and semi-production sportfishing boats, and through Safe Harbor Jarrett Bay, services more than 1,000 boats per year at the 175-acre Jarrett Bay Marine Park in Beaufort, North Carolina (ICWMM 198). Recognized as an ABBRA Boatyard of the Year, named a North Carolina Manufacturer of the Year, and a two-time recipient of “Best Power Yacht 50-100 Feet” Refit Excellence Awards, Jarrett Bay has nearly 200 employees and 135,000 square feet of construction and service space, making it one the East Coast’s largest and most respected all-inclusive boating facilities. jarrettbay.com
Aspen Power Catamarans
Aspen Power Catamarans are made in Burlington, Washington, by the Graf family and their team of experienced craftsmen. These exceptional cruising catamarans feature an innovative hull design that enhances handling and significantly boosts fuel efficiency. Aspen’s patented PROA cat design means one hull experiences less resistance than the other, resulting in superior performance. Unlike traditional designs, their displacement hulls cut through the water, propelling the boats forward efficiently rather than lifting them onto a plane. Today, Aspen builds seven different models in its 48,000-square-foot campus. aspenpowercatamarans.com
MJM
When Bob Johnstone retired as co-founder of J/Boats, he planned to spend his time cruising power boats up and down the East Coast. But, he couldn’t find the perfect boat to meet his needs. His solution: Design and build his own, and thus, he founded MJM Yachts in 2002. These boats would have to be lighter, stronger, more efficient, and far more capable than any other boat currently offered. After initially being built under license in Boston, in 2019, with Bob now retired and son Peter at the helm, MJM moved to its own manufacturing facility in Washington, North Carolina. MJM has become the premier builder of express performance day and cruising yachts. mjmyachts.com
Henriques
Henriques Yachts is celebrating more than 47 years of providing hig-quality, seaworthy boats built at the Jersey Shore. In 1977, Jack Henriques opened up his shop with his two daughters, Maria and Natalia, and shortly after, his son-in-law, Manuel Costa, joined the family business. Each boat is handcrafted and customized for every customer’s lifestyle. Unfortunately, Jack passed away more than five years ago, but the company’s commitment to quality and providing the best sportfishing inboard diesel boat remains. henriquesyachts.com
Hinckley
Hinckley was founded in 1928 at the Manset Boatyard in Southwest Harbor, Maine, by Henry R. Hinckley. Hinckley’s initial approach was twofold. He wanted to equally service the working lobstermen of the local waters, while also offering a tantalizing treat to wealthy summer residents on Mt. Desert Island. His first boat was a 36-footer that put the brand on the map with beautiful lines and a smooth ride. Today’s Hinckleys have jet drives with joystick controls and are built with carbon composites, but their lines still harken to the blueblood days of yore, and the boats are still often seen in some of the swankiest anchorages known to man. hinckleyyachts.com
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