What began as one father’s quest to build a better dinghy for his daughters has grown into a four-decade legacy of handcrafted boats built to last generations.
Founded by Dave Robertson in 1986, Gig Harbor Boat Works was built on a simple idea: small boats should be lightweight, beautiful, and a genuine pleasure to use. In 2016, Dave entrusted that legacy to a local Washington family who shared his passion for craftsmanship and the water. Today, the shop continues to operate right here in Gig Harbor, guided by the same principles Dave established, building every boat with care, precision, and an unwavering respect for the craft.
Every boat that leaves our workshop is designed to be rowed, sailed, maintained, and loved for decades, not just seasons.
At thirteen, Dave built his first real boat, a hydroplane from plans published in Mechanics Illustrated. Through his teenage years, his mechanical interests expanded to include cars, but boats always remained central. He found ways to combine both passions, learning through experimentation, trial, and hands-on problem solving.
These early projects weren’t about perfection, they were about understanding how things worked, and how to make them better.
Drawing on lessons from the Westlawn School of Yacht Design, Dave designed and built a lightweight dinghy that met all of those needs. He called it the Ultralite.
It was simple, efficient, and genuinely fun to use.
Although Dave was working long hours in a factory at the time, he built a few additional boats for friends and acquaintances. Word spread quickly. People noticed that these boats weren’t just lighter—they were better.
As demand for the Ultralite grew, Dave and Janet found themselves building more boats than they ever expected. What began as a personal solution turned into a calling.
In 1986, Dave opened Gig Harbor Boat Works.
At his first Seattle Boat Show, Dave sold more than two dozen Ultralites. The response confirmed what he already suspected: there was a real appetite for small boats that were thoughtfully designed, well built, and a pleasure to use.
For three decades, Dave poured his heart into every boat that left the shop. In 2016, he passed the business on to a local Washington family who fell in love with Gig Harbor Boat Works—not just the boats, but the philosophy behind them.
Under new ownership, the commitment to craftsmanship hasn’t changed. The shop is still in Gig Harbor. The boats are still built by hand. And every detail still reflects the same values Dave established from day one: simplicity, durability, and real-world usability.
Over the years, the original 8-foot Ultralite became the foundation for an expanding lineup. Today, Gig Harbor Boat Works offers ten models, including the 17-foot Salish Voyager and the all new 15-foot Lobster Boat.
While some of our boats are now larger adventure watercraft, we continue to take pride in crafting exceptional ship-to-shore yacht tenders, boats that remain every bit as relevant today as they were four decades ago.
Growth has never come at the expense of craftsmanship. Every design still reflects the same priorities that started it all.
Every boat we build carries the same idea that started it all: simple, lightweight boats that are a joy to use.
