American yacht building tells a story of independence, innovation, and enduring craftsmanship. Across generations, these brands have carved out a reputation for doing things differently—and doing them on U.S. soil. This July, on the nation’s 250th anniversary, we’re spotlighting the builders behind some of the most distinctive yachts flying the American flag.
duPont REGISTRY July 2026
America expresses itself best through motion – big ideas, bold styling, mechanical innovation, set to the soundtrack of horsepower echoing across open roads, racetracks, and city streets. As the United States gears up for its Semiquincentennial celebration, this July issue commemorates the machines, personalities, and pursuits that define our Icons of America theme – stories rooted in steely ambition, masterful craftsmanship, and a relentless pursuit of performance.
Hinckley Yachts (Portsmouth, Rhode Island)
Hinckley Yachts started in 1928 on the coast of Maine, where Henry R. Hinckley was repairing lobster boats and shaping a new standard. By 1933, he launched his first build and set the tone for what would become nearly a century of unmistakable design, clean lines, strong hulls, and no wasted detail. Over time, Hinckley became known for key characteristics: custom hardware, jet propulsion, carbon-composite construction, and its JetStick control system. Still family-led in spirit from Maine and Rhode Island, every Hinckley today is a continuation of that original idea, built for real waters and built without compromise.
Delta Marine (Seattle, Washington)
Founded back in 1967 by brothers Ivor and Jack Jones, Delta Marine has evolved from a rugged Seattle boatyard into one of America’s most respected custom superyacht builders. Still family-owned, the brand combines decades of commercial-grade know-how with refined craftsmanship and innovation. Operating from a sprawling, fully integrated campus, Delta transforms an owner’s vision into deeply personal vessels, each one engineered, built, and finished in-house, reflecting a legacy defined by precision, trust, and quietly confident ambition.
Regal Boats (Orlando, Florida)
Regal Boats has been part of the American boating story since 1969, when Paul and Carol Kuck set out to build something rooted in faith, family, and craftsmanship. What started as a small dream on American waterways has grown into a proud, family-owned brand carried forward by three generations. Through challenges and change, Regal kept its course, building boats that reflect hard work, resilience, and a deep respect for the people who enjoy them. Today, from its U.S. facilities, Regal continues to shape the boating experience with a distinctly American spirit.
Hodgdon Yachts (Eastbooth Bay, Maine)
Hodgdon Yachts traces its roots back over 200 years in Maine, where a small family boatbuilding tradition slowly evolved into one of America’s most advanced composite yacht builders. Still family-owned and proudly U.S.-based, Hodgdon has delivered more than 440 vessels—from superyacht tenders in limousine, beachlander, and open styles to highly complex custom superyachts and even classified high-performance projects. Along the way, they’ve built for the U.S. Navy, pushed the limits with carbon fiber sail technology, and refined a reputation for precision and American craftsmanship.
Viking Yachts (New Gretna, New Jersey)
Viking Yachts began in 1964 when Bill and Bob Healey bought a small New Jersey builder making 37-foot wooden sportfishing boats, and immediately set out to do one thing: build a better boat every day. That hands-on mindset never left. From early fiberglass breakthroughs in the ’70s to today’s convertibles like the 90 and 82, Viking has stayed family-run across three generations and more than 5,500 boats delivered. Built almost entirely in-house in New Gretna, every yacht reflects tight control, constant refinement, and offshore performance born from fishing roots. It’s American boatbuilding with no shortcuts.
Westport Yachts (Port Angeles, Washington)
Westport Yachts started in 1964 in Washington State, building hardworking boats for commercial crews long before it ever became a name in luxury. Fishing vessels, ferries, anything that needed to be strong, fast, and dependable, that was the beginning. Over time, that approach evolved into something more, as Westport leaned into composite construction and began shaping some of America’s most recognizable yachts. Today, with more than 160 yachts delivered, the process is still rooted in that original mentality: plan it properly, build it right, on time, and on budget, every time.
Nordhavn Yachts (Dana Point, California)
Nordhavn didn’t start as a yacht brand; it started as a friendship and a shared obsession with offshore sailing. In the early ’70s, Jim Leishman and Dan Streech were working in California yacht brokerage when they began sketching a different kind of boat, one built for real passagemaking, not just coastal cruising. From its Dana Point headquarters, Nordhavn works with dedicated yards to craft expedition trawlers known for serious range, redundancy, and global capability. Owners still take them around the world regularly, but the brand itself has stayed focused on building boats meant to keep going.
