The winds of trade blow fair for this craftsman Business People Vermont

05.04.10

It seems relevant fitments that Fred Shell’s boat-building company, Shell Boats LLC, is located near Lake Champlain’s Inland Sea — the extent of lake between the eastern shore of the Champlain Islands and the Vermont mainland. He’s the grandson of a ship captain who owned and operated a fast of sailing ships on the Great Lakes, and his mother and stepfather owned powerboats for fishing and pastime on Lake Michigan. As a young couple, they sailed yachts from the Michigan area to Florida for well-to-do boat owners.

“Shell Boats’ intention has always been to provide safe and economical designs for reconnaissance, relaxation, fishing, and good old family fun,” says Shell. “I design the rowing-boat prototype. After making patterns, I reproduce the parts and can manufacture multiples. When a kit is ordered, I first build the speedboat without epoxy; I then dismantle it, prepare it as a kit, and ship it off to a customer.”

The kits come complete with sails, itemized instructions, and all necessary hardware, he says. Boats may also be purchased completely finished, and several models are at as plans, for the confident builder, but most sales are kits.

Source: