Mag Bay Yachts

What Mag Bay Yachts does

Mag Bay Yachts is a privately held American boat manufacturer headquartered in Hesperia, California, that designs and builds custom, handmade center console and express sportfishing boats in the 33- to 43-foot range. The company's current lineup comprises four production models — the 33CC, 38CC, 42EX, and 43CC — each built to buyer specification rather than as standardized inventory. The brand was launched by Michael Howarth and his son Barrett Howarth after the pair's prior 16-year run co-founding and operating Cabo Yachts, and Mag Bay's positioning leverages that generational design and manufacturing pedigree in the premium sportfishing segment.

The business operates a hybrid go-to-market: a global dealer network serves as the primary channel for international and out-of-region buyers, while a direct factory-sales option is offered for purchasers who prefer to transact with the builder. Pricing is not publicly listed and is provided on a quote basis, consistent with the custom-spec model. The company is family-owned (Howarth family), has 11–50 employees, has no disclosed outside funding, and operates as a focused, single-site custom builder. Its end customers are high-net-worth individual sportfishing enthusiasts seeking tailored offshore boats.

In 2024, the Mag Bay 38 CC won "Best in Show" at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, an industry recognition that materially strengthens brand credibility for a still-young entrant competing against established premium sportfishing builders. The company's strategic posture — concentrated product line, dual dealer/direct channels, family-led operations, and award-driven brand building — points to a niche, premium-margin growth orientation rather than high-volume production.

Name

Mag Bay Yachts

Legal name

Mag Bay Yachts, Inc.

Website

https://WWW.MAGBAYYACHTS.COM

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mag Bay Yachts is a Hesperia, California-based custom boat manufacturer producing handmade center console and express sportfishing boats (33–43 feet) for high-net-worth individual anglers, founded by the Howarth family after their 16-year run co-founding Cabo Yachts and sold through a global dealer network plus direct factory sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Recreational Sportfishing Boats

NAICS

Boat Building (336612), Ship and Boat Building (3366)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Recreational Fishing & Sportfishing Boat Manufacturing (IMAJAEAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Semi-Custom & Series Production Yacht Manufacturing (IMAJAEAM), Luxury Yacht Manufacturing (IMAJAEAE)

Keywords

• Sportfishing boats
• Center console yachts
• Custom boat building
• Handmade fishing boats
• Express sportfishing vessels

Headquarters

HQ city

Hesperia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom Boat Sales: Mag Bay Yachts generates revenue through the sale of custom and semi-custom fishing boats and yachts. Each boat is built to order based on customer specifications, with pricing determined by model selection and customization options. Revenue is primarily one-time at point of sale for each vessel.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Mag Bay Yachts designs and manufactures premium handcrafted center console and express sportfishing boats (the 33 CC, 38 CC, 42 EX, and 43 CC models) at its factory in Hesperia, California. Each vessel is built to order with semi-custom options and only the finest components, and is sold either directly from the factory or through a global network of authorized dealers.

Product overview

Mag Bay Yachts is a custom boat builder offering a portfolio of premium center console and express sportfishing boats. The product line consists of four distinct models: the 33 CC (compact center console), 38 CC (award-winning mid-size model), 42 EX (express sportfishing), and 43 CC (premium center console). Each boat is built by hand with semi-custom options allowing owners to customize their vessel. The company was founded by former Cabo Yachts co-founders and maintains a legacy of quality craftsmanship spanning generations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mag Bay 33 CC

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Viking Yachts: Viking is a leading U.S. builder of premium convertible and center console sportfishing yachts. Direct competitor to Mag Bay in the high-end sportfishing segment, with overlapping customer base and substantially larger scale.
• Hatteras Yachts: Hatteras is a long-established American sportfishing yacht builder offering convertible and express models. It competes directly with Mag Bay's premium sportfishing positioning and serves the same high-net-worth angler segment.
• Bertram Yachts: Bertram is a heritage American sportfishing yacht brand known for serious offshore fishing boats. Comparable to Mag Bay in target customer (discerning sportfishing buyers) and premium build philosophy.
• Cabo Yachts: Cabo Yachts is the predecessor brand founded by Mag Bay's co-founders and produced for 16 years. It continues in the market under different ownership and is a direct analog for Mag Bay's product positioning and customer base.
• Intrepid Powerboats: Intrepid builds custom and semi-custom sportfishing and center console boats in Florida, closely mirroring Mag Bay's customization approach and target buyer of serious offshore anglers.
• Paul Mann Custom Boats: Paul Mann is a small, highly regarded North Carolina custom sportfishing builder. Comparable to Mag Bay as a premium, hand-built, semi-custom alternative to the major production sportfishing brands.
• Pursuit Boats: Pursuit builds premium center console and offshore sportfishing boats. Direct overlap with Mag Bay's center console and express product lines and similar quality-tier positioning.
• Scout Boats: Scout Boats manufactures premium center console and sportfishing models in South Carolina. Competes with Mag Bay in the upper-tier center console segment for offshore anglers.
• Regulator Marine: Regulator builds premium offshore center console boats designed for serious sportfishing. Comparable to Mag Bay's 33CC and 38CC center console offerings in both product and customer profile.
• Jupiter Marine: Jupiter Marine builds premium center console and express sportfishing boats in Florida. Overlaps with Mag Bay's semi-custom, handcrafted positioning in the high-end center console market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mag-bay-yachts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Mag Bay Yachts