Maritime – a Proud Tradition, Boats Built in Maine

The History

Founded by industry veterans Paul Hureau and Bev Brown in 1991, Maritime Skiff was built on the concept of simple, low horsepower, fuel efficient boats that demonstrate tremendous sea-keeping capabilities. Time spent on the boats quickly shows how Paul’s and Bev’s combined sixty years of marine experience, including eighteen years with Boston Whaler, has evolved into the Maritime Advantage, where the continual emphasis on function over form still prevails.

Today, the Maritime boating tradition continues under the name of Maritime Marine, LLC. For much of Maritime’s history, the all-important fiberglass hulls, decks, and other components have been built and assembled in Maine, where boatbuilding craftsmanship and strong work ethic have a rich history. As Maritime transitioned from the smaller, simple, open-concept “skiffs” to more sophisticated center console, center cabin, and cuddy cabin designs, this manufacturing and assembly role moved to Kenway Corporation, a company who specializes in custom composite design and manufacturing. When the Hureaus announced their plans to retire, the principals of Kenway realized the tremendous opportunity, purchased Maritime Skiff, and moved the entire operation to Augusta, Maine.

Who is Maritime Marine, LLC?

The origins of Maritime Marine, LLC started back in 1947 when Kenneth G. Priest, Sr. founded Kenway Boats. At first building wooden boats of his own design, Ken quickly embraced the evolution of fiberglass boats. Gradually, Kenway Boats’ reputation for excellence spread to industrial customers and in 1966 Kenway Corporation replaced Kenway Boats. Over the next forty years, with quality at the center of the company’s philosophy, Kenway continued to develop its expertise for a wide range of custom-engineered composite fabrications. Currently, the company’s team of engineers, project managers, quality assurance personnel, and most importantly its expert composite technicians serve a wide range of customers from Maine, to Oregon, to Puerto Rico. Importantly, however, the company never strayed far from its boatbuilding roots and now shares its modern manufacturing facility and expert personnel with its sister company, Maritime Marine, LLC.

Maritime Marine, LLC is wholly owned and managed by second and third generation family members. Kenneth G. Priest II, PE serves as the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Ian D. Kopp as its President/Chief Operating Officer, and Michael Priest as its Vice President. Company owners Ken, Michael and Ian take great pride in remaining a small, family-owned business within an industry dominated by corporate giants. Doing so allows them to remain true to the company’s core values of providing exceptional, personal customer service, the highest quality composite products, and a boat that continually exceeds its owners’ expectations.

The New Tradition

There is nothing better than a Maine Built Boat! Maritime started with a timeless hull design that is fuel-efficient, dry-riding, and easily maintained. The future of Maritime will continue the tradition of fiberglass grid systems bonded to the hull for strength and rigidity, of solid composite cored transoms which have never experienced a failure since the first Maritime was built, and of unsinkable hulls fully-foamed for flotation, all of which form the structural backbone of these strong, safe, reliable boats. Importantly, the new ownership, drawing on its sixty years of composite engineering and design expertise, will continue to innovate, bringing new designs to market, further refining manufacturing processes, and insisting that only the highest quality materials build your Maritime. This continual focus on innovation and quality enhances product value and longevity, improves your boating experience, and leads to peace of mind, particularly when you consider all new Maritimes are covered by a 10-Year Transferable Limited (Non-Prorated) Hull Warranty.

If you have any questions, please contact us via email or by phone at (207) 620-7999. Better yet let us arrange for you to meet with one of our dealers and experience the Maritime Advantage where you can get to know our boats best… on the water!

Thank you for visiting with us. We look forward to meeting you.

Ian D. Kopp

President/Chief Operating Officer