Shearline Boatworks

Unlike many of the custom builders in North Carolina, Shearline Boatworks offers fully custom, cold-molded boats starting at just 18 feet. But that's not to say they don't build large convertibles. A 61 currently on the shop floor is nearing completion with a 57 and a 52 slated for production soon after.

The company started out just six years ago, when Mason Cox discovered engineering software that could work wonders for boatbuilding. The software allowed him to create three-dimensional designs and tweak such crucial factors as running angle, center of gravity and buoyancy before ever cutting a single piece of wood. The customers could see how their boat would look long before they actually got to run it. The company has since built 22 boats, varying from center consoles and express boats to walkarounds and traditional flybridge sport-fishers.
 
"A huge focus of ours since the beginning was to offer a traditional North Carolina boat on a smaller level for those people who wanted that look and feel, but might not want to invest in a 60-footer," says managing partner Chip King. "Our company's focus is to accommodate each owner's specific wants in the design and construction of his boat and, in doing so, exceed his expectations with the final product." 
 

At a Glance: • Custom cold-molded boats from 18 feet • Carolina styling with broken sheer • Full custom builder

As a custom builder, each boat is different. "We approach each boat as a blank canvas, with two exceptions," King says. "We will not compromise aesthetics or structural integrity. Other than that, the customer drives the project."
 
Shearline uses an in-house designer for all of its boats. "The design is biased toward performance and sea-keeping ability," King says. "We rely on proven, cold-molded construction techniques that help us achieve the soft ride for which our boats are becoming well known."
 
Shearline takes pride in the little things that pay huge dividends in the long run, such as rigging and wiring, which the average customer may never see. "We are trying to build boats that incorporate the well-known attributes of traditional Carolina boats with the attention to detail and level of finish associated with Florida-built boats," King says.
 
For more information, contact Shearline Boatworks of Morehead City, North Carolina, at 252-726-6916, or visit www.shearlineboatworks.com.

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