westport yachts wikipedia

Westport Yachts History

Westport Yachts has its roots in Westport Shipyard, a respected builder of vessels for the North Pacific commercial fishing fleet. Established in 1964 in Westport, Washington, Westport Shipyard began by building commercial fishing vessels for the thriving salmon industry in the Pacific Northwest. They eventually branched out in response to the declining fishing industry, adding fast passenger ferries to their production line. The shipyard did well in the commercial field, ultimately producing over 200 commercial vessels. By 1977, though, Westport Shipyard astutely recognized the changing economy required a major adjustment in the company’s focus.

Westport Shipyard became Westport Yachts, transitioning to building luxury motoryachts. Although the type of vessel the builders were producing had changed, the company never altered their dedication to quality design and construction, retaining their core commitment that every vessel they produce must meet the highest standard of seaworthiness. Westport began building composite yachts from 98 to 130 feet, pioneering a modular construction approach to yacht building that set their company apart from the competition.

Westport invested heavily in facilities, processes, and proven technologies to secure their position at the forefront of the industry. They employ exceptional molds, allowing their engineers to integrate more features into each mold to reduce the number of mechanically fastened sub-assemblies for superior structural integrity. Use of composite construction techniques allows Westport to deliver seaworthy, stable vessels that are stronger, lighter, and faster than other yachts in the same size range, while second-and third-generation employees, and workers with thirty years’ tenure or more provide a level of experience rarely matched in the industry. Westport has enlisted the talent of leading naval architects and designers including William Garden, Donald Starkey, Greg Marshall, and Jack Sarin to work in concert with Taylor Olson and the rest of the Westport design and engineering team to develop beautiful, seaworthy, comfortable yachts.

Westport’s innovative construction methods and commitment to dependability enables the company to produce each vessel in an incredibly short build time – weeks, not months. Westport has the facilities to perform all the work on the vessels in-house, including a state-of-the-art paint facility, and an impressive 40,000 sq. ft. cabinet & joinery shop. Modular construction methods result in lower prices by eliminating non-productive hours, making Westport’s pricing the most competitive in the industry. Over the years, Westport has established a reputation for standing by their contracted price with no surprises, delays, or surcharges — they even deliver their new yachts with a full tank of fuel!

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Boat of the Week: The Most Successful Superyacht in the World Just Got a Next-Gen Makeover

Westport yachts' new 112-footer, book ends, is a generational shift in design, focusing on open spaces, luxurious stones and modern materials., michael verdon, michael verdon's most recent stories.

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It’s hard to imagine that changing a staircase can transform the interior of a superyacht , but in the case of the Westport 112, it became the turning point in its new design. The American builder’s entry-level boat is arguably the most successful superyacht in the world. Since it was introduced in 1994, 62 112s have been launched and three others are currently in build. No other yacht has had that kind of staying power or popularity among owners.

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Therein lies a dilemma. Changing a superyacht’s look after a long, successful run can be a tricky proposition. But times change, designs come and go, and what was popular in 1994 can seem dated. Fortunately for Westport, American yacht owners tend to be relatively traditional in their tastes. That is, until recently.

“We had potential customers coming up to us with brochures from European builders, asking if we could do this or that with our design,” Alex Rogers, sales director of Westport Yachts , told Robb Report on a recent tour of Book Ends , the latest 112 to hit the water. “It made us rethink the entire design.”

The new interior includes murals to add an element of whimsy to hallways that are typically utilitarian.  Courtesy Westport Yachts

Sylvia Bolton, Westport’s in-house designer, sees the design shift in even stronger terms: “ Book Ends is as different as it can be from the last generation without actually changing the layout.”

Westport’s naval architects added larger exterior windows, replacing the rows of portholes along the hull and the main windows in the superstructure, adding three inches to enhance natural light. That gave the exterior a more contemporary look. Bolton decided to go full monty with the interior, without changing the internal structure. Moving bulkheads and shifting spaces can be an expensive, complicated process, especially for a company that built its business model on an assembly-line process where changes translated to big costs for the owner. Besides, the 112’s hull has proven its worth for 27 years.

So, Bolton started with the staircase. “Originally it was a circular staircase with two radiuses extended into the hallway,” she says. “We changed it to a straight staircase. It was amazing how much it opened up that space.”

The country kitchen on the 112 is a favorite gathering point for owners, guests and crew, so the design included a flowing piece of marble on the island and large-screen televisions to add luxury to the galley’s inherent sociability.  Courtesy Westport Yachts

Opening space across the interior was a key goal, so Bolton focused on simple things like straightening corners and removing wide cabinets that had been part of the 112’s layout for years. She also modernized the interior with new surfaces, stones and even wall sculptures.

A pair of life-sized reef sharks, extended on a hallway wall, seem to be swimming in a dark-blue coral reef. At the bottom of the stairway on the lower deck is a wall-sized photo of a school of reef fish. Sand dollars on the main salon wall also became part of the new standard design.

“I really like blue and started thinking about sea life,” Bolton says. “I thought it would make a good theme, and most times, clients resonate with them. We also make everything easily removable in case the client doesn’t like it.”

The life-sized reef shark sculptures on the wall show some of the fine design touches of the new 112.  Courtesy Westport Yachts

The owner of Book Ends came into the build process late, so he had little choice over the big features in the interior. But he must’ve liked Bolton’s design, because the only thing that changed were the big sand dollars in the salon, which were replaced with bright, colored glass spheres.

The last 112 I’d been on was about ten years ago, and boy, talk about a sea change. Instead of what I remembered as somewhat dated traditional American design, the 112 now had features like leather-covered handles on doors and drawers, a rich Rousseau finish on the oak walls (where the grain runs horizontally) and lots of natural light.

The two areas I liked best weren’t the main salon or main suite, both open and spacious, but the country kitchen and pilot house. Open kitchens have been one of Westport’s hallmarks over the years, showing the difference between European and American owners. Europeans tend to like small galleys where staff are confined to make meals, but the Americans use the kitchen much as they do at home, as social gathering points for owner, guests and crew.

Sweeping marble in the main suite displays the level of quality across the yacht.  John Cantu/Westport

Bolton worked within the same layout as previous 112s, but modernized it with new colors and materials, including a beautiful piece of marble that flowed over one side of the galley’s center island and extended to the floor. It was clearly the room’s centerpiece. “Stone is something that we pay particular attention to,” says Bolton. “It’s an accent that can make or break a space. It can take several months to find the right piece, and the right stone can even make you change a design to accommodate it.”

The Calacatta marble down in the main suite’s bath and shower was also exceptional, a flowing, soft-grained stone that filled the space with a subtle luxury.  The main bedroom was nice, but the marble ensuite made it extraordinary.

Seeing this new interior changed another perception I’d had about Westports—that the quality wasn’t as strong as some of the brand’s competitors. But I’d confused myself by comparing Westport’s older interiors with more modern European designs. Looking at Book Ends , I could see that the materials—and craftsmanship—were as strong as the European builders, and in some cases, better. It just took a new design to showcase it.

The exterior cockpit area has the same sense of open space as the adjoining salon.  Courtesy Westport Yachts

My favorite spot on the 112 was the pilothouse, another large social area, with lounges and big windows surrounding the helm chair and navigation console.

Bolton added subtle touches here by lowering the height of a side lounge to allow more natural light below, while adding a school of swimming fish on the rear wall’s Lucite surface. “Lucite tends be clear during the daylight hours, so you don’t really see the mural,” she says. “But at night, it becomes vivid, and the reflects off the windows as well, so it feels like you’re surrounded by fish.”

The designer used Lucite beneath the stairs to the sky-deck to deliver a floating feel between stairs. “To me, the qualities of the materials are important,” she says. “Each can provide a different finish with a tactile quality that is also important visually. It adds to the boat’s overall feel.”

The new exterior includes larger windows along the superstructure and in the hull sides.  Courtesy Westport Yachts

While Book Ends represents the new generation of Westport 112s, it’s just the start. Westport is working on another 112 now where the owners, concerned about sustainability, do not want any material that is not manufactured or recycled—in other words, no leathers, original woods or natural marble. Talk about a sea change .

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Bayliner Founder Sells Westport Yachts to Chouest Family

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Image courtesy Westport Yachts

Westport Shipyard, the largest yacht builder in North America, announced in an emailed statement they have been acquired by Westport, LLC, an ownership group that includes Gary Chouest and members of his Louisiana-based family.

The company’s management team led by Daryl Wakefield along with the 400 employees of Westport will remain in place however, with no expected changes according to the statement.

Since 1997, Westport’s majority shareholder has been Mr. John Orin Edson, the billionaire founder of Bayliner Marine.

“Similar to the history of the Chouest family business, Westport began five decades ago with a fishing fleet, and has diversified into many other core businesses, focusing on customer satisfaction and the pursuit of excellence,” said Gary Chouest.

Westport has facilities three locations in Washington state, as well as a marina and sales office in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. The company has built more than 120 yachts since 2000, including one for Gary Chouest.

“Gary has always been passionate about our industry, and we are honored to count him as a customer, and now our majority owner, as well,” commented Westport president, Daryl Wakefield.

Westport is not the Chouest family’s first venture in the yacht-building business; they also own American Custom Yachts of Stuart, Florida.

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Westport’s 112 is a Modern Classic

• By Patrick Sciacca
• Updated: May 11, 2021

Westport Yachts introduced the 112 in 1998, and the raised-pilothouse motoryacht remains perennially popular with private owners and owners who offer their yachts for charter. To date, 73 hulls have been delivered. Accommodations are for eight guests in four en suite staterooms, with room for five crew including a captain. Cruise speed is 22 knots with a 24- to 26-knot top hop.

At press time, there were 13 Westport 112s on the market, ranging from $4.95 million for a 2001 model to $14.99 million for a 2020 model.

From the Archive

“The classic edition includes a master, a VIP and two twin staterooms belowdecks, and a country kitchen forward on the main deck. The vessel’s new arrangement still has four guest staterooms below, although the fourth is now a small upper-lower rather than a king master suite. The master suite sits where the country kitchen once resided, all the way forward on the main deck.”

— Yachting , February 2013

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Westport commences construction on three 41m yachts on spec

US shipyard Westport Yachts has announced that construction on three  41-metre yachts from its new W135 | 41m line is officially underway.

Known as the "enhanced Westport 125", the model features an extended hull for enhanced performance and to accommodate a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system, which helps to minimise emissions. 

"These new builds mark another significant milestone in Westport's history of crafting timeless vessels, with a dedication to craftsmanship, engineering, and luxury. The decision to initiate spec builds on these three 135 | 41m motor yachts underscore Westport's confidence in the demand for premium, high-performance vessels in the luxury yacht market," said Westport Yachts.

Accommodation on the W135 is for 10 people across five cabins, including an owner's suite on the main deck, plus further provision for a crew of five. Additional space in the aft guest cabins allow for the inclusion of king-size beds. 

Daryl Wakefield, president of Westport Yachts, commented: "We are thrilled to announce the commencement of spec builds on these three exceptional 135 |41m motor yachts. At Westport, we strive to exceed expectations with every vessel we build, and these yachts will be no exception.

He continued: "As a leader in the industry, Westport Yachts continues to redefine the standards of luxury. The enhanced 135 | 41m model reflects our dedication to innovation, sustainability, and delivering unparalleled experiences for our discerning clientele."

Powered by twin MTU engines, the yachts can reach top speeds of 25 knots with a cruising speed of 20 knots. 

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Everything you need to know about the 112’ Westport.

From its classic American styling and interiors to its exceptional design and construction, it's no wonder the 112' Westport has become an icon of luxury motor yachts over the past 25 years. 

The US-based Westport Yachts got its start in 1964 with commercial fishing boats in the North Pacific, contributing to their strength today as a builder of dependable, high quality luxury motor yachts.

A pioneer in composite construction, Westport Yachts are lighter weight and thus faster and more fuel-efficient than luxury yachts made with steel or aluminum. They are also quieter in their operation, less susceptible to corrosion, and offer excellent structural integrity thanks to the composite materials.

But excellent craftsmanship isn't the only reason the 112' Westport is one of the world's most successful superyacht series - and a company bestseller at that. With spacious interiors and living areas and stunning outdoor spaces, The 112' Westport is designed for entertainment inside and out.

The layout of the 112' Westport maximizes interior living areas, and features a main saloon with a formal dining area, plus a spacious country kitchen. Four en suite staterooms - including a full-beam master - are found on the lower deck and can sleep up to eight guests; as well as three crew cabins aft of the engine room with space for up to five crew members. 

The 112 Westport's outdoor areas are equally exceptional. Features include a bridge deck outfitted with generous lounge seating, a sun pad, full-service bar, and hot tub; a raised settee offering stunning sea and coastline views from windows on three sides; and a custom hardtop bridge deck that can accommodate a 2,000-pound davit and chocks for a life raft and outboard powered tender.

For the experienced yacht owner, the 112' Westport is the ideal yacht when it comes time to downsize. For newcomers, it's the ultimate entry-level superyacht. And for shared owners, it's perfect for well, a few reasons. Keep reading here to discover the 5 reasons why the 112' Westport Motor Yacht is one of the best yachts for fractional ownership.

Ready to get started? Explore Westport Yachts for sale and speak to an AvYachts yacht broker today.