Hi, does anybody has any info about RealShips, in Bayou La Batre, AL ? looking for info , like history ,how long they been there , how they are doing in the current market ? their webpage does not say a whole lot. thanks Stefan
I have met the owner, Joe, several times, he is a very nice guy. Viewed one of his boats at Fort Lauderdale last year and was impressed.
Judy Waldman, owner of JW Yachts in Fort Lauderdale, and a frequent contributer here is THE EXPERT on Real Ships in the brokerage field. You might reach her through her profile on Yacht Forums.
Loren is whom I would consider the expert also. However, I did post a note on this thread but it seems to have disappeared (so did one that I posted on the Cammenga thread also). My comment was that Real Ships started building in mid-90s and have always been built in the US; they have built their last several hulls at the current La. yard. Judy Waldman JW Yachts
Judy, I haven't removed any posts, nor have I been notified of the same by a moderator. About the only time a post is removed on YF is when it's commercial or promotional in nature. This includes signatures.
Hi Wolfsong/Stefan: I know just a little about the company and it's products from having been involved with them in the early days when Fred McCarthy ran that show. I worked with Joe Johnson, the current owner, at a yacht brokerage when he decided to take them on as his own and subsequently sold the first of the 61 'Islander' series. I later went to work with Joe at his Ships International which was the sole representative for the line and which he subsequently took over from Fred when he bought him out around 2004. Yes, they are doing well, having recently showcased their latest build, a 77 Expedition, in the FLL Boat Show. They are starting another 77 for a new client. I had the opportunity to go along for a boatride/electronics shakedown/photo shoot a few weeks ago on a fairly snotty day. She is extraordinarily quiet in the wheelhouse, similar to her predecessor, the 68 Expedition. This is helped in no small part by her 1400 RPM "sweet spot" from the 1800 RPM continuous-duty engines. Each Real Ships build gets better than the previous one. Propulsion 'pods'-- a neat design twist-- allow a low engine placement with a resultant almost zero-degree shaft angle for maximum efficiency. The engineering and mechanicals are first-rate and they reflect the knowledge gleaned from having run pilot boats up and down the Delaware River, which Joe did in his earlier years. The yard on Hemley Street appears nondescript which belies the CAD CAM employed in the carpentry as well as steel-cutting, in addition to a first-rate team of craftsmen & women. The fairing and paint on "Aventura" were done in-house by some of the best in the business: http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=28262&stc=1&d=1231358598
