What Willis Custom Yachts does

Willis Custom Yachts is a privately held custom sportfish yacht builder and full-service boatyard headquartered in Stuart, Florida, operating from a 35-acre water-accessible facility on the St. Lucie Canal. The company was formed approximately three years ago when Mark Willis, a boatbuilder active in custom sportfishing yachts since 1983, partnered with entrepreneur Brooks Smith to acquire American Custom Yachts. Its core activity is the design and construction of bespoke 70-77' sportfish yachts using cold-molded wood epoxy hulls combined with carbon epoxy-infused composite superstructures, with signature builds including the Uno Mas 70' (40-knot cruise / 50.4-knot max), War Party 70', Cha Cha 70', and Uno Mas 77'. The technology stack includes in-house 5-axis CNC machining (Multiax 5'x10' and 7'x12' routers), Faro and Creaform 3D scanning for reverse engineering, and CAD-based 3D modeling for component production.

The company generates revenue across multiple streams: one-time custom new builds, professional services for repairs and refits (vessels up to 150'), Mercury Marine outboard engine sales and certified service (150-400HP), CNC machining contracts for marine/aerospace/automotive/manufacturing clients, and tower fabrication through the Willis Bausch Towers division (founded 1977). Go-to-market is enterprise field sales via direct relationships with HNW yacht owners, supported by a 90+ technician workforce, named project managers per vessel, itemized fixed estimates (not T&M billing), industry publication features (Marlin Magazine, In The Bite), social media presence, and a quarterly newsletter. The company is currently executing a multi-year capacity expansion including covered bay additions, a planned 90,000 sq ft new build facility, a 60,000 sq ft new build facility, and a 22,000 sq ft composites building, alongside a new Mercury Marine Authorized Dealer and Certified Service Center partnership.

Name

Willis Custom Yachts

Legal name

Willis Custom Yachts

Website

https://williscustomyachts.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Willis Custom Yachts is a Stuart, Florida-based custom sportfish yacht builder and full-service boatyard serving high-net-worth yacht owners with new construction, repairs, refits, Mercury outboard sales, and CNC machining services across a 35-acre facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Custom Yacht Manufacturing

NAICS

Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Boat Building (336612)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Luxury Yacht Prototype, One-Off & Concept Build Programs (IMAJAMAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Luxury Yacht Hull & Superstructure Fabrication (Composite/Aluminum/Steel) (IMAJAMAG), Luxury Yacht Systems Integration & Commissioning (Shipyard) (IMAJAMAI), Yacht & Recreational Boat Service & Refit (TLAKAKAD)

Keywords

• Custom yacht building
• Sportfish yacht construction
• Yacht repair refit
• Marine CNC machining
• Boatyard services

Headquarters

HQ city

Stuart

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Outboard Motor Sales and Service: Sales of Mercury outboard engines (150HP-400HP) and authorized dealer/certified service center operations
2. CNC Machining Services: Precision CNC machining, custom fabrication, and 3D scanning services for marine, aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing industries
3. Custom Yacht New Builds: Design and construction of custom sportfish yachts including Hull 15 (Uno Mas 70'), Hull 17 (War Party 70'), Hull 18 (Cha Cha 70'), and Hull 14 (Uno Mas 77')
4. Repair Services and Maintenance: Full-service boatyard offering routine maintenance, repairs, custom refits, repowers, and haul-out services for yachts up to 150' in length
5. Tower and Hard Top Manufacturing: Custom tower solutions including tuna towers, T-tops, half towers, and hard tops through Willis Bausch Towers division

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Willis Custom Yachts designs and builds custom sportfish yachts, with hulls constructed using cold-molded wood epoxy and carbon epoxy composite infusion. The 35-acre Stuart, Florida boatyard also delivers complete repair, refit, and maintenance services across motor yachts, trawlers, and center consoles, supported by an in-house 5-axis CNC machining center, custom tower and hardtop fabrication, rigging, paint, and authorized Mercury outboard sales and service.

Product overview

Willis Custom Yachts is a premier custom sportfish builder and full-service boatyard operating as a unified platform with multiple specialized divisions. The core offering consists of custom sportfish yacht construction (new builds), comprehensive repair and refit services, and specialized divisions including Willis CNC Solutions (5-axis precision machining and 3D scanning), Willis Bausch Towers (custom tower fabrication since 1977), and Willis Outboard Division (Mercury Marine dealer and certified service center). The company employs over 90 skilled technicians across a 35-acre facility in Stuart, FL, offering services ranging from routine maintenance to complete custom refits, repowers, and new vessel construction with capabilities up to 150 feet.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Willis Bausch Towers: Custom tower solutions and hard tops for sportfishing boats, including tuna towers, T-tops, half towers, and various marine accessories. Founded by Charlie Bausch in 1977.
• Willis CNC Solutions
• Willis Outboard Division

Products and services

• Custom Sportfish Yacht New Builds Bespoke design and construction of custom sportfish yachts using cold-molded wood epoxy hulls with carbon epoxy composite infusion, delivered to individual high-net-worth owner specifications.
• Yacht Repair and Refit Comprehensive repair and refit services for motor yachts, trawlers, center consoles, and sportfish vessels, including mechanical, structural, cosmetic, and system upgrades at the Stuart, Florida yard.
• Willis CNC Solutions In-house 5-axis CNC machining center providing precision components and CNC services for yacht construction and external customers.
• Towers and Hard Tops Custom tower and hardtop fabrication for sportfish yachts and other vessels, built in-house at the Willis Custom Yachts facility.
• Mercury Outboard Sales and Service Authorized Mercury Marine dealer operation selling new Mercury outboards and providing certified service and support through the Willis Outboard Division.
• Hartco Rigging Rigging services for sportfish and other vessels, delivered through the Hartco Rigging partnership managed in-house at the Willis facility.
• Yacht Paint Services In-house paint department providing finishing, refinishing, and cosmetic paint services for new builds and refit projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40 knot cruise speed and max 50.4 knots on Uno Mas 70' custom sportfish
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Mercury MarinecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWillis Custom Yachts is an Authorized Dealer and Certified Service Center for Mercury outboards. The partnership enables sales and service of Mercury V6 and V8 outboard engines ranging from 150HP to 400HP. The company serves as a Mercury Repower Center, helping center console owners upgrade their vessels with new Mercury propulsion.
• SaratechsupportingTechnology or IntegrationWillis CNC Solutions operates with Saratech-powered technology, leveraging their expertise in advanced machining solutions. The partnership enhances Willis CNC's 5-axis machining capabilities.
• Willis Bausch TowerscoreOthersSister company founded by Charlie Bausch in 1977, specializing in custom tower design and fabrication including tuna towers, T-tops, half towers, and hard tops. Willis Bausch Towers sets industry standards for sportfishing boat tower design with over 45 years of experience.
• Willis CNC SolutionscoreOthersSister company providing high-precision 5-axis CNC machining, custom fabrication, and 3D scanning/replication services. Led by VP & GM Bobby Cody, serving marine, aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing industries.
• Lewis MarinesupportingOthersSister company within the Willis Marine family of companies, expanding the range of marine services and capabilities across the organization.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Jarrett Bay Boatworks: Custom sportfish yacht builder and full-service boatyard in Beaufort, NC offering new builds, refits, and repairs to HNW owners — directly comparable in product category, customer base, and operating model to Willis.
• Viking Yacht Company: New Gretna, NJ builder of semi-custom and convertible sportfishing yachts across multiple size classes — same sportfish product category and HNW customer base as Willis Custom Yachts.
• Hatteras Yachts: Established New Bern, NC builder of convertible sportfish and motor yachts with in-house service capabilities — comparable premium sportfish builds and refit offerings for similar clientele.
• Spencer Yachts: Wanchese, NC custom sportfish builder producing high-end cold-molded and composite hulls — comparable bespoke sportfish construction for HNW owners in the same niche.
• Bayliss Boatworks: Wanchese, NC builder of custom sportfishing yachts with full-service yard — directly comparable in custom one-off sportfish construction, pricing tier, and customer segment.
• Rybovich: Palm Beach, FL custom sportfish builder and refit facility serving HNW owners — comparable premium sportfish new builds and large-yacht service offering in the same Southeast U.S. geography.
• Merritt Boat & Engine Works: Fort Lauderdale, FL family-run builder of custom sportfishing yachts since 1982 — directly comparable in custom sportfish new builds, family-led operations, and HNW client base.
• Derecktor Shipyards: Fort Lauderdale, FL shipyard offering large-yacht refits, repairs, and new construction — comparable in high-end refit and boatyard service offerings to Willis's service business.

Broad incumbents

• Hinckley Yachts: Premium yacht builder and full-service yard offering both new builds and refits across sail and power — comparable as a broader luxury yacht incumbent with overlapping service/refit capabilities but broader portfolio than Willis.

Regional players

• Meridian Yachts (Brunswick/Luhrs): Production motor yacht builder under Brunswick Corporation serving similar luxury boating customer base — broader market incumbent offering volume yachts that competes for adjacent customer wallet share but is not a custom builder.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Willis-Custom-Yachts-100533505839043
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/willis-custom-yachts
• Instagraminstagram.com/williscustomyachts
• Xx.com/WillisCustomYts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Willis Custom Yachts