Around the country the various regions have developed over the generations yacht and boat designs with regional characteristics and builders who specialize in delivering boats of these types.
We all know of Down East style yachts in the Hinckley-Sabre-Jarvis Newman style, designs that are famous around the world. But there are also the trawler and tug styles that are popular in the Pacific Northwest and the modern express cruiser designs in the Midwest and Great Lakes.
One regional style that may be less well known comes from the Chesapeake Bay and is based on the local working craft that evolved over the decades among commercial fishing and crabbing watermen. The boats have distinct and springy sheer lines, with a touch of reverse curve near the bow. They have a lot of freeboard forward and a noticeable lack of it aft where one might be hauling crab traps.
For over 20 years, the small custom builder Composite Yachts has staked out the Chesapeake Bay style and now has 10 models that are distinctly of the region. Models range from 26 to 55 feet and this year they introduced the design for a handsome 39-footer specifically created to be powered by outboards.
Composite Yachts is a family operation in Trappe on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The company was founded by Martin Hardy who has more than 45 years of custom boat building experience. He is joined in the business by his two sons, Lewis, who is the yard manager and lead builder, and Rob, who is a licensed USCG captain and director of sales.
With a crew of only 24 skilled craftsmen and women, CY is able to keep a family atmosphere in the shop and they believe that translates into better boat building and better customer relations. The owners know the builders and vice versa.
A good example of what Composite Yachts is capable of was launched last year. Hull number one of the new CY 46 had the specific owner’s requirement to be handicap friendly. In fact, the design would end up being the only yacht ever built, to our knowledge, that meets all the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The boat and its interior spaces are accessible for people in wheel chairs. This was no small feat but one that the crew at CY understood and made happen.
Composite Yachts is one of those small regional builders that keeps the flames alive for the Chesapeake Bay waterman ethos and provides custom yachts that fit the specific needs of discerning owners.
