Legacy Recreational & Historical Models
Willard Marine built a strong reputation in its early decades (1957-2003) as a pioneer in fiberglass recreational boats. Though we no longer produce these models, they are a vital part of our boatbuilding heritage and many continue to cruise the world's waters.
Iconic Recreational Trawlers & Yachts
Vega 36 Trawler Yacht
Years: 1961–1970
A 36-foot displacement trawler designed by William Garden, one of the world's first production fiberglass trawler yachts. Variants included flybridge sedan, aft pilothouse "North Sea" style, and motorsailer. Prized for rugged simplicity and seaworthiness.
Vega 30 Trawler
Years: 1972–1975
A 30-foot fiberglass trawler designed by Hale Field. 110 hulls built with four versions: Searcher, Nomad, Voyager, and Horizon (motorsailer). Robustly built pocket trawlers, many still popular for long cruises.
Vega/Willard 40 Trawler
Years: 1973–2003
Successor to the 36', initially as Vega 40 with three versions. Improved Willard 40 (from 1977) featured molded fiberglass superstructure and walk-around decks (Flybridge Sedan & Pilothouse). Gained reputation as a capable Long Range Cruiser (LRC).
47′ "Dover" Class Yachts
Years: 1960s (e.g., 1967)
Series of 47-ft custom yachts (e.g., Klatawa, Nereid, Northern Explorer). Represented Willard's capability in larger leisure or expedition yacht territory during its early decades.
Hallmarks of Willard's Legacy Fleet
Pioneering use of fiberglass in recreational trawlers.
Full-displacement hull designs known for seaworthiness and fuel economy.
Robust construction leading to long lifespans (many still in use).
Emphasis on "rugged simplicity" and practical, long-range cruising capabilities.
Foundation for Willard Marine's later expertise in durable, mission-specific vessels.
Other Notable Historical Builds
Early Wooden Ketches (30')
Era: Late 1950s
Willard Marine's origin involved building 30' wooden ketches under Bill Tighe and Willard Buchanan, giving the company its name and initial boatbuilding experience before focusing on fiberglass.
8-Ton Cutter Sailboat
Era: Late 1970s
A sailboat variant built on the versatile Vega 30 trawler hull, showcasing adaptability of the design.
Silverado (120' Oceanographic Ship)
Era: 1974
A notable one-off 120' oceanographic research ship, demonstrating Willard's capability in constructing large, specialized commercial vessels even in its earlier years.
32' US Coast Guard Patrol Boats
Era: 1976
A fleet of 56 fiberglass 32' (33'4" LOA) Ports and Waterways patrol boats for the USCG. These twin-diesel boats marked a significant shift towards military and government contracts.
A Proud Heritage
While Willard Marine now focuses on government and commercial contracts, our legacy in recreational boat building laid the foundation for the quality, durability, and seaworthiness that define all our vessels today. These historical models are cherished by their owners and represent an important chapter in maritime history.
Learn More About Our History