John Williams Boat Company is a Maine-based custom builder. In recent years, we’re excited to be collaborating with Doug Zurn of Zurn Yacht Design in Marblehead, Massachusetts, to create designs that meld the graceful style, elegant amenities, and ease of operation we’re known for with modern performance characteristics and power packages. Our heritage models, standard-bearers in the industry, are also available for new boat construction.
Designed by Lyford Stanley. These models are grounded in the traditional Maine lobster boat style, a working vessel known far and wide for its stable, sea-kindly ride, even in choppy conditions. We leveraged the platform to create a gracious yacht that will carry you smoothly, swiftly, and stylishly along the coast.
“Custom” is the operative word in our yard. Few of our parts are pre-formed. Most are made individually, with your specific new boat construction requirements and personal needs in mind.
Our boats offer the ideal combination of form and function. We specialize in joining molded fiberglass hulls and superstructures with cabins finished in fine wood while incorporating contemporary performance concepts. This approach leverages the best of all worlds.
Fiberglass molds easily, creating a graceful hull while providing strength, durability, low maintenance, and economy. However, nothing compares with the warmth of wood’s glow for onboard accommodations, the “friendliness” of its touch. All interior finish work is done to the highest yacht standards.
Unlike other yards that offer cabin soles in plywood veneer, we craft and lay individual teak pieces splined together with T-shaped sections of holly. This approach evokes a sense of old-time yachting elegance that has all but disappeared from today’s cruising grounds. In the same spirit, we customize our distinctive vessels to suit your personality and lifestyle.
Half of all the hulls we’ve built since 1972 are owned by commercial fishers. That’s a powerful endorsement of our models’ safety in open waters, sea-kindliness, and durability. We don’t build for the latest trendy fashions.
We offer classic lines along with engineering and construction integrity.
We also welcome the opportunity to build an all-wooden boat or a one-off sailboat. If you prefer, we can also build a powerboat or another design.
Williams 29
Outboard Power in an Elegant Dayboat.
Our new Williams 29 is the perfect package of elegance and performance. An open, outboard-powered, center-console dayboat combines graceful lines with modern components Read More
Williams 38
A hybrid of Downeast Superstructure & a Go-fast Hull.
In 2016, we embarked on an exciting project with the construction of a new Williams 38. This was a takeoff of our Stanley Read More
Somes Sound 26
An eye-catching open launch.
The “Open Launch” configuration of the Somes Sound 26 diverges from the more extensive accommodations we offer in our larger vessels. The design was Read More
Stanley 28
A splendid, small day boat with overnight accommodations.
The Stanley 28 is solidly constructed throughout, from the proven unidirectional fiberglass hull to her mahogany and teak joinery work. Powered by either Read More
Stanley 36
The perfect picnic boat, overnighter, & weekend coastal cruiser.
The Stanley 36 is our flagship, a perfect blend of a rugged hull, beautifully crafted accommodations, and comfortable amenities. The Stanley 36 was inspired Read More
Stanley 38
A traditional hull for gracious cruising & overnight accommodations.
The Stanley 38 evolved from our Stanley 36, the company’s flagship when one of our customers wanted more room in the forecastle. Rather Read More
Stanley 39
A comfortable, workboat-tough, & sea kindly long-distance cruiser.
A comfortable long-distance cruiser that is workboat-tough and sea kindly. From stem to stern, this handsome extension of our Stanley 36, the company’s Read More
Stanley 42
Perfect accommodations, great handling
The Stanley 42 evolved as a “just the right size” compromise that involved “stretching” a Stanley 39. In 2007, we were contacted by a Read More
Stanley 44
A Gulf of Maine classic, fully customizable down below
The Stanley 44 was designed to provide ample room for different design concepts. The boat can comfortably sleep up to seven people. It Read More
Williams 28 Bass Boat
A new way to enjoy fishing & cruising.
Our Williams 28 Bass Boat was inspired by an old favorite, the classic Stanley 28. Almost three years after selling their Stanley 36, a Read More