Ellis Boat Company

Before building custom boats, Ralph Ellis made a living--as many did during the early 1900s on the coast of Maine--fishing and captaining boats for summer residents. His life changed one night in 1945 during a game of pool with Raymond Bunker at Jim's Place, in Southwest Harbor, when they decided to build boats together--launching a partnership that lasted for over 30 years.

Many of the boats produced by Bunker and Ellis are still turning heads worldwide. Their beautiful lines and custom finish work in teak and mahogany are respected and copied by many of today’s custom boatbuilders. Building only a few boats a year, their work was immaculate.

Ralph Ellis passed all of his knowledge and experience as a master boat builder down to his son Don, current president of Ellis Boat Company since 1983. Ellis Boat Company keyed the phrase "Lobster Yacht" as a description of their boats. In addition to exemplifying the style, craftsmanship, and attention to detail that Bunker and Ellis are famous for, today's Ellis boats continue to advance the proven Downeast Lobster Yacht design by improving speed and fuel efficiency while significantly reducing engine and vibration noise.

Please contact us to arrange a visit and sea trial and experience first-hand the superb ride and superior construction of an Ellis boat.