Where Are Southport Boats Made?

Like art and antiques, a boat’s provenance is crucial - not simply to underwrite its quality or authenticity, but something much more ineffable: its aura. The story of Southport Boats extends from North Carolina all the way to Maine. It begins in 2003, when a dream team of seasoned boatbuilders, avid fishers, and offshore racers, partnered with iconic naval architecture firm C. Raymond Hunt. The team’s pedigree was remarkable, drawing veterans from legendary fishing and racing brands like Hatteras, Grady-White, Chris-Craft, Rampage, Mako, and Cigarette. Their mission? Build the perfect offshore fishing boat.

Southport Boats got its start in North Carolina, where the freshly minted brand conducted the first sea trial of its signature Hunt deep-V hull. The results were impressive, delivering a steady and agile performance thanks to its splendid forward entry, robust width aft and efficient shape - which means the boat is stable whether you’re racing to your favorite hunting grounds or trolling at low speeds. Today, however, all Southport Boats are built at their factory located in Augusta, Maine.

This test hull developed into Southport’s first model, the Southport 26, a steady but energetic center console that stayed dry and stable even fiercer seas. Armed to the teeth with a standard rigging station, insulated bait box, 45-gallon livewell, and several tackle stowage compartments, this was a true fishing machine. With the 26, Southport had accomplished its mission to craft the ideal angler’s boat. For the next few years, Southport built more than 400 boats out of its boatyard in Leland, acquiring a reputation for superb 26- to 28-foot center consoles and express fishing boats.

(Below: An example of the very first model built, the Southport 26.)

In 2011, Southport moved operations to Augusta, Maine. Today, its 50,000-square-foot facility sits between the Kennebec River and a quiet residential street, among deep-rooted oaks, pines, and clapboard houses - not exactly where you would expect to discover a boatyard. But Southport is in good company in the Pine Tree State, where fellow boatbuilding icons such as Back Cove, Hinckley, and Sabre also make their home. And Southport embodies Maine’s strong boatbuilding and seafaring traditions, not only in the Downeast style of its boats, but also in its ethos of superb, seaworthy fishability.

Should you step into Southport’s workshop, you’ll see artisans handcrafting each boat with painstaking care from start to finish, overseeing the entire building process, from mold preparation to final finishing. Hulls are propped up on their sides while craftsmen inspect and wax the surface, ensuring a smooth de-molding process. The gelcoat is sprayed and tested here before the first layer of fiberglass, called a skin coat, is sprayed on the hull. After perfecting the skin coat, they lay sections of fiberglass cloth into the hull to strengthen the boat. Next, a three-step infusion process is undertaken not only on the hull, but all major parts of the structure. The team then hand installs the plumbing, wiring, liner, ring deck, console, leaning post, hard top and engines.

After completing the final assembly and finishing touches, each Southport boat has that indefinable quality owners fall in love with - that obscure aura that speaks just to you. Once finished, a Southport boat bids farewell to the Augusta boatyard as it is delivered to its commissioning owners around the world. So if you are looking for a homegrown center or dual console boat with outstanding fishing and entertainment amenities, look no further than Southport’s corner of Maine.

For more information about Southport Boats, please contact us at sales@sandyhookyachts.com. We are the Southport dealer for New Jersey and Southwest Florida.