The boat building industry is an interesting mix of small boat builders
and large boat manufacturers. The small shops often feature custom,
hand-built boats while some of the larger firms manufacture boats in more
assembly-line fashion, with standard models and lists of available
options. This searchable boating directory features company contact
information and website links for over one thousand boat builders located
throughout the USA. Whether your boating interests run to kayaking,
sailing, fishing, or cruising, you will find photos and specifications for
a broad range of boats, ranging from luxury yachts to personal watercraft.
Discover Boating Minneapolis Boat Show docks at Convention Center
The Discover Boating Minneapolis Boat Show features 600-plus new boats, innovation awards and interactive exhibits at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Check out a gallery of the event.
J.d. Duggan. American City Business Journals. Friday, 24 Jan 2025 20:19:27 +0000.
While boats were traditionally made of wood, today there are many
fiberglass and composite construction boats on the market. Composite
boats are those that combine wood and synthetic products like fiberglass
and epoxy to produce a boat that is lighter yet stronger than boats that
are made of wood or fiberglass alone. The wood component of the
composite gives the boat high compression strength, while the fiberglass
and epoxy components give it high tensile strength.
So when choosing a material for your boat, which is the way to go?
Well, some diehard traditionalist boaters feel that nothing but wood will
do, but others feel that composite materials are far superior.
Still others feel that it doesn't matter whether a boat is made of wood
or composites — what matters is the quality of materials as well
as the quality of construction.
If you are planning to buy a new boat from a boat builder, be sure to read
our new boat buying
article tips and pointers to consider before purchasing a new boat.
If you are researching boat building history, you may wish to browse
Robert Smith's master index of maritime museums.
Building a Wooden Boat
State Boat Builder Directories
The boat manufacturers and marinas referenced herein are listed for your
convenience. Many of the directory entries indicate the type of
boats offered by the manufacturer, such as sailboats, kayaks, bass boats,
or pontoon boats. While we have carefully researched this marine
products supplier directory, we are not responsible for the accuracy of
our listings or the content of external sites. Some of the suppliers
listed may have moved location or are no longer in business, but these
listings are retained for their archival value.