Merritt's Boat & Engine Works

After almost 30 years, one of our classic 58 Merritts has been brought back to her original luster and then some…With the help of our team here at Merritt’s, John Doyle and Captain John Noone it underwent a full refit and is ready to turn heads once again.

Everyone here at Merritt’s would like to wish the man himself, Roy Merritt, the happiest of birthdays today! A true pioneer and icon in the boat building industry, he began working in the family business as a kid and has now led Merritt’s into its 70th year of building boats with many more ahead. Happy Birthday Roy!

77’ Merritt “Catch” docked up in Horta, Azores with Mount Pico Volcano it the background

Merritt’s Boat & Engine works has been a family business since 1948 and its not just because it is family owned but also because everyone who works here is considered family and one person who has helped instill these values is our very own, Fran Pinnell. Though she was only a young girl at the time her grandparents purchased the property, she became an integral part in the growth of the boatyard. Currently, Fran heads our Human Resources department which is no surprise as she takes great pleasure in taking care of our boatyard family. Today, we would like to shine the spotlight on Fran as it is her 80th Birthday. Happy Birthday Fran and Thank you for everything you do!

In 1964 we built one of our most popular models of Sportfish, the 42 Merritt, which later we would extend to 43’. This boat was a catalyst that helped turn Merritt’s Boat & Engine Works into what it is today. In 1974 with the help of Awl Grip Paints, an iconic Sportfish color would be born to paint the 42’ Merritt “Fighting Lady” thus color would go on to be called “Fighting Lady Yellow” and to this day is still one of the most popular colors on the chart. 2 years later and 1 foot longer this 43 Merritt above would be built and over the years it would travel the world. In 2012 an avid sportsman, Vito, and his family would purchase this boat down in Costa Rica with the dream of bringing it back to its original luster piece by piece while fishing the boat how it was truly intended, from catching giant bluefin off the New York coast to daytime swordfishing in Florida. Almost 50 years later, one of the final steps of this journey was completed as we repainted the “Sea Jeannie” with the iconic color, fighting lady yellow.

Merritt’s Lead Master Carpenter for over 44 years, Frank Villareale, is 80 years old today and still chopping wood! Happy Birthday Frank!