Front Street Shipyard
Front Street Shipyard is a Belfast, Maine boatbuilder and full-service yacht refit facility serving private owners, captains, and select government clients with vessels up to 200 feet, featuring a 485-ton hoist, indoor boat sheds, and a Manufacturing Division offering five-axis waterjet cutting.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersBelfast, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Front Street Shipyard does
Front Street Shipyard, operating under the Safe Harbor Front Street brand following its late-2025 acquisition by Safe Harbor Marinas (Blackstone Infrastructure-backed), is a full-service boatbuilder and yacht refit facility founded in 2011 on the Belfast, Maine waterfront on Penobscot Bay. The company serves private yacht owners, captains, and select commercial and government clients with vessels from 20 to over 200 feet, operating a 485-ton mobile hoist (the largest in northern New England), two 22,500 sq ft indoor boat sheds enabling year-round work on oversized yachts, and a deep-water marina offering seasonal dockage. Core capabilities span custom boat building (e.g., BLUE CHIP 41-ft Ray Hunt design, Mussel Ridge 42 UNCONDITIONAL), comprehensive yacht refits (BERILDA 126-ft Feadship, PIONEER 151-ft expedition yacht, ABIDE 136-ft Jongert), production boat construction (New Harbor 28), and a Manufacturing Division launched in 2021 that sells five-axis 3D waterjet cutting services to external manufacturers using one of the largest cutting tables in the United States. Revenue mechanics combine one-time new-construction and refit project fees, recurring marina dockage and winter storage, and professional services waterjet cutting, with quote-based pricing and no public fee schedule. Go-to-market relies on direct relationship selling with yacht captains and owners, regional representation in South Florida (Bacchus Yacht Consultancy), an embedded brokerage (East Coast Yacht Sales), event presence at boat shows and IBEX, and content marketing through Passages magazine and YouTube. The firm employs over 100 craftspeople with composite, joinery, and systems expertise and has received MARAD and Maine Technology Institute grants supporting capital expansion; incoming Safe Harbor ownership is expected to channel approximately $5 million of additional investment within two years to reinforce the yard's position as what the company describes as the most-capable boatyard in the northeastern United States.
Front Street Shipyard firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Front Street Shipyard
- Legal name
- Front Street Shipyard
- Website
- https://frontstreetshipyard.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Front Street Shipyard is a Belfast, Maine boatbuilder and full-service yacht refit facility serving private owners, captains, and select government clients with vessels up to 200 feet, featuring a 485-ton hoist, indoor boat sheds, and a Manufacturing Division offering five-axis waterjet cutting.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Front Street Shipyard industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Boat Building and Yacht Repair Services
- NAICS
- Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Boat Building (336612)
- SIC
- Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Luxury Yacht Systems Integration & Commissioning (Shipyard) (IMAJAMAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Day Cruiser, Bowrider & Runabout Manufacturing (IMAJAEAI), Luxury Sailing Yacht Manufacturing (IMAJAMAC), Government & Municipal Service Craft (Research, Survey, Inspection, Buoy Tenders) (IMAJADAL)
Keywords
Where Front Street Shipyard is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Belfast
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Front Street Shipyard business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Boat Building and New Construction: Custom boat building and production boat construction services. Builds yachts from 20 to over 200 feet including custom designs and semi-custom production boats like the New Harbor 28.
- Yacht Refits and Service: Comprehensive refit services for yachts including paint work, systems maintenance, mechanical and electrical upgrades, composite repair, and carpentry work.
- Marina and Dockage: Seasonal and transient dockage services for yachts up to 200 feet. Marina amenities include water, shorepower, WiFi, lounge area, showers, and laundry.
- Waterjet Manufacturing Services: Five-axis 3D waterjet cutting services for external manufacturers, OEMs, and custom builders. Capable of cutting nearly any material including textiles, stainless steel, and titanium.
- Winter Storage: Indoor and outdoor storage services for boats during winter months within their facility.
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels11 records
Front Street Shipyard product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Front Street Shipyard is a full-service boatyard in Belfast, Maine that builds custom and semi-custom yachts (20 to over 200 feet), performs comprehensive yacht refits and service work, operates a marina with seasonal and transient dockage, and runs a Manufacturing Division offering five-axis 3D waterjet cutting services. More than 100 craftspeople deliver new construction, refits, paint, mechanical/electrical systems, carpentry, composite repair, and storage for private yacht owners, captains, commercial operators, and government clients.
Product overview
Front Street Shipyard operates as a full-service boatyard in Belfast, Maine offering custom boat building, yacht refits, marina services, and manufacturing capabilities. The core offerings include Custom Boat Building and Production Boat Building for new vessel construction, Yacht Refits for maintenance and comprehensive refit projects, and Marina/Dockage services. The Manufacturing Division with five-axis 3D waterjet cutting capabilities was launched as a diversification into industrial services. Key product lines include the New Harbor 28 (semi-custom Downeast dayboat), BLUE CHIP (custom Ray Hunt-designed dayboat), and Hope 40 (foil-assisted power catamaran design). The shipyard serves vessels from 20 to 200 feet with a 485-ton lifting capacity and employs over 100 experienced boat service professionals.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Manufacturing Division: Waterjet cutting services division using a five-axis 3D waterjet cutting machine to produce complex parts from various materials for marine and non-marine industries.
Products and services
- Custom Boat Building Full-service custom yacht construction for private clients, using advanced composite construction techniques alongside traditional boatbuilding methods for vessels from 20 to over 200 feet.
- Production Boat Building Semi-custom production boat construction including the New Harbor 28 line and Mussel Ridge series boats for buyers seeking repeatable designs with build flexibility.
- Yacht Refits Comprehensive refit services for yachts up to 200 feet, including hull maintenance, systems upgrades, paint, carpentry, and composite repair.
- Boat Service and Maintenance Engine and systems maintenance, mechanical and electrical work, and routine boat service for vessels from 20 to 200 feet.
- Marina and Dockage Seasonal and transient dockage for yachts up to 200 feet, with deep-water access, shore power, Wi-Fi, and proximity to downtown Belfast, Maine.
- Winter Storage
Quantifiable outcome
- 40% of electricity from solar energy production
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Front Street Shipyard
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Front Street Shipyard technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Front Street Shipyard partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and strategic.
- TACK studiosminorTACK studios of North Yarmouth, Maine styled a 400-square-foot customer lounge and interior design showroom in Building 1. Collaboration provides customers with yacht interior design services featuring custom furniture, fabrics, and styling options.
- Waterjet USA LLCcoreSupplier of the Suprema DX 1340 five-axis 3D waterjet cutting machine - the largest model Waterjet USA has ever built and installed. This represents a significant manufacturing capability investment.
- East Coast Yacht SalescoreEast Coast Yacht Sales opened its sixth brokerage office at Front Street Shipyard in Belfast, Maine. The move bolsters their mid-coast Maine presence while supporting the diverse client base of the shipyard. ECYS represents prestigious brands including MJM, American Tug, J/Boats, and Vanquish.
- Brødrene Aa (Arcadia Alliance)strategicFront Street Shipyard partnered with Brødrene Aa in Hyen, Norway to market, sell, and build carbon fiber ferries throughout the United States under the new company name Arcadia Alliance. Working with Maine Composites Alliance and Norwegian composites expert Martin Grimnes, the partnership markets highly efficient ferries to state and federal agencies.
- Tripp DesignstrategicFront Street Shipyard collaborated with Tripp Design to develop a new line of modern sloops including 84-foot, 102-foot, and 112-foot yachts. The sailboat line features advanced composite construction and is positioned as competitive new construction option.
- Bacchus Yacht ConsultancycoreFront Street Shipyard appointed Bacchus Yacht Consultancy of Palm Beach, FL as their representative in the international yachting hub. Led by Michael Bach, the company promotes opportunities for new refit projects and acts as boots on the ground in Southern Florida.
- Setzer Yacht ArchitectsminorWorking with Setzer Yacht Architects to develop design documentation for a new motoryacht series featuring four designs from 28 to 40 meters as part of Setzer's broader 'New American Motoryachts' portfolio.
- Ray Hunt DesignstrategicDesign partnership for custom powerboats. Front Street Shipyard has worked with Ray Hunt Design on multiple vessels including a 41-foot composite dayboat and aluminum motoryachts.
- McCollough YachtsstrategicPartnership with David McCollough of McCollough Yachts for the Hope 40 hydrofoil-assisted power catamaran. Front Street Shipyard selected as boatbuilder for this lightweight performance cruising catamaran project.
- Martin Defense GroupminorPartnership through Office of Naval Research grant for construction of a 42-foot custom composite boat equipped with three Cox diesel outboards.
- Maine Composites AllianceminorWorking with Maine Composites Alliance as part of the Arcadia Alliance partnership for carbon fiber ferry marketing and construction.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Front Street Shipyard competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Newport Shipyard: Newport, Rhode Island full-service shipyard with large travel-lift capacity serving the East Coast superyacht and refit market. Competes directly for seasonal refit work from the same New England/Northeast HNW clientele.
- Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding: Camden, Maine-based full-service boatyard offering custom yacht construction, major refits, and service work along the New England coast. Directly comparable in craft capability, customer profile and Mid-Coast Maine operating model.
- Hodgdon Yachts: East Boothbay, Maine superyacht builder and refitter with deep composites expertise and large-vessel capability. Closest direct competitor in New England for high-end custom builds and refits.
- Brooklin Boat Yard: Brooklin, Maine boatyard building and restoring wooden and composite sailing yachts, including larger offshore vessels. Comparable custom build/refit focus serving private yacht owners in the same cruising grounds.
- New England Boatworks: Portsmouth, Rhode Island boatyard providing yacht refits, repairs and storage with year-round indoor service capability. Competes for Northeast yacht service work and offers a similar high-end service model.
- Rybovich: West Palm Beach, Florida superyacht refit, service and marina facility. Directly comparable full-service superyacht refit operation serving the U.S. East Coast/Florida yacht market.
- Derecktor Shipyards: Fort Lauderdale and New York shipyard with extensive refit and custom build capabilities for large yachts. Competes in the same East Coast superyacht refit segment.
Broad incumbents
- Safe Harbor Marinas: Parent company and largest U.S. marina and superyacht servicing network, owned by Blackstone Infrastructure. Operates dozens of yards across the country; while broader in scope, it directly competes for refit and service work and sets the network's strategic direction.
- Hinckley Yachts: Portsmouth, Rhode Island-based yacht builder and service network with deep New England roots. Overlaps in custom yacht construction, service and refits for premium private owners, though broader and more brand-led.
Regional players
- Pendleton Yacht Yard: Portland, Maine area boatyard offering yacht and commercial vessel service, storage and repair. Comparable craft and refit capabilities serving a similar New England clientele.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Front Street Shipyard social profiles
Digital presenceFront Street Shipyard financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Front Street Shipyard leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Front Street Shipyard funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Front Street Shipyard M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Front Street Shipyard
What does Front Street Shipyard do?
Front Street Shipyard is a full-service boatyard in Belfast, Maine that builds custom and semi-custom yachts (20 to over 200 feet), performs comprehensive yacht refits and service work, operates a marina with seasonal and transient dockage, and runs a Manufacturing Division offering five-axis 3D waterjet cutting services. More than 100 craftspeople deliver new construction, refits, paint, mechanical/electrical systems, carpentry, composite repair, and storage for private yacht owners, captains, commercial operators, and government clients.
Is Front Street Shipyard a public or private company?
Front Street Shipyard is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Front Street Shipyard founded?
Front Street Shipyard was founded in 2011. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Front Street Shipyard based?
Front Street Shipyard is headquartered in Belfast, United States, in the North America region.
How does Front Street Shipyard make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Boat Building and New Construction is the primary driver. The others are yacht Refits and Service, marina and Dockage, waterjet Manufacturing Services and winter Storage.
Who are Front Street Shipyard's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Newport Shipyard, Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding, Hodgdon Yachts, Brooklin Boat Yard, New England Boatworks, Rybovich and Derecktor Shipyards. Broad incumbents are Safe Harbor Marinas and Hinckley Yachts. Pendleton Yacht Yard is listed as a regional player.
Does Front Street Shipyard have an API?
No public API is recorded for Front Street Shipyard.
What industry is Front Street Shipyard in?
Front Street Shipyard's product category is Boat Building and Yacht Repair Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAJAMAI, Luxury Yacht Systems Integration & Commissioning (Shipyard), with a secondary code of IMAJAEAI, Day Cruiser, Bowrider & Runabout Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 336611 and its SIC code is 3730.