Lyman-Morse Fabrication Rebrands as Lyman-Morse Workboats

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By US Harbors

For nearly fifty years, Lyman-Morse has been known for its finely crafted custom yachts. But behind the scenes, another side of the company has been quietly expanding its reach: the fabrication division, which has been building aluminum workboats for many years for clients across commercial, research, and municipal sectors.

That growth is now reflected in a new name. Lyman-Morse Fabrication has officially become Lyman-Morse Workboats, a rebranding that captures both the heritage and the evolving focus of this long-standing part of the company.
“This isn’t something new; it’s a natural progression of what we’ve been doing for years,” said foreman Jonathan Egan. “Our workboats bring the same engineering and attention to detail that define every Lyman-Morse project.”
Each vessel is built in Maine, backed by decades of boatbuilding experience and the company’s reputation for quality and service.

Recent Launches: From New England to Panama

Photo courtesy of Lyman-Morse Workboats
Photo courtesy of Lyman-Morse Workboats
From the cold waters of the Gulf of Maine to the tropics of Central America, Lyman-Morse Workboats has delivered a range of vessels designed to meet the practical needs of their operators. Recent projects include:
  • Fire Island Water Taxi (New York) Two aluminum catamarans designed for high-traffic passenger service between Fire Island and Long Island, providing reliable transport for residents and visitors.
  • Smithsonian Institute Landing Craft (Panama) A custom-built aluminum landing craft supporting the Smithsonian’s field research in remote areas. It also serves as an ambulance for emergency response in isolated locations.
  • Portland Harbormaster Workboat (Maine) A purpose-built harbor vessel equipped with advanced systems to serve one of New England’s busiest maritime communities.

Each project underscores the company’s ability to combine practical design with proven construction methods to meet specialized operational demands.

Under Construction: A New Landing Craft for Lake Huron

Photo courtesy of Lyman-Morse Workboats
Photo courtesy of Lyman-Morse Workboats

In the Thomaston, Maine, yard, work is underway on a 38-foot landing craft for the Thunder Bay Lighthouse Preservation Society in Alpena, Michigan.

The vessel — designed by Response Marine — will feature a 7-foot bow door, a 12-foot beam, and a payload capacity exceeding four tons. Powered by twin 300-horsepower Yamaha engines, it will transport vehicles, building materials, and supplies to support restoration work on Thunder Bay Island in Lake Huron.

Completion is expected in 2026.

The transition from Lyman-Morse Fabrication to Lyman-Morse Workboats reflects the steady growth of the company’s capabilities in commercial and institutional vessel building. With projects supporting harbor operations, marine research, and coastal preservation, the company’s focus remains on building practical, reliable boats suited to their specific purposes.

At the core of Lyman-Morse’s operations is a skilled team of boatbuilders, fabricators, and technicians whose work extends across several divisions. From custom yacht construction in Thomaston to aluminum and steel fabrication projects and the applied-engineering work of Lyman-Morse Technologies, the company’s reach covers a wide range of marine and industrial projects. What ties these efforts together is a shared foundation of craftsmanship and experience. Whether shaping a wooden hull, welding a commercial landing craft, or developing a complex mechanical system, it’s the same workforce applying generations of Maine boatbuilding knowledge to a modern mix of services.

For more information about Lyman-Morse Workboats and additional photos, visit their website here.

A red aluminum landing craft beached, a four-wheel vehical unloaded on the beach.
Landing Craft, Photo courtesy Lyman Morse Workboats