One at a time. One of a kind.
For over 80 years, this has been the philosophy guiding the design and construction of Huckins custom motor yachts. Ever since Frank Pembroke Huckins produced one of the world’s first planing hulls in 1928, our company has held fast to his vision — the creation of vessels that are not simply uncommon, but positively unique.
You can see it in every Huckins Fairform Flyer on the water today. The remarkable talents and experience of world-class designers, engineers and craftsmen. The meticulous attention to detail. The close, collaborative relationship with our owners. The nearly limitless opportunities for customization and individual expression. And, of course, the unmistakably elegant lines, belying a level of performance attainable only with ultra-modern materials and engineering.
This is what goes into our yachts. This is what should go into yours.
A beauty that goes
way beyond skin-deep.
When you see one of our yachts on the water, heads will invariably turn and jaws inevitably drop. The classic beauty instantly announces itself as a Huckins, and in that sense nothing has changed since 1928. But over the course of an equally evolutionary and revolutionary company history, certain things have changed, and for the better.
In 1975, Huckins unveiled a radical transformation from traditional wood to fiberglass composite construction. Largely inspired by growing demand, the transition also presented a number of engineering advantages: significant weight reduction, for instance, allowing for a higher horsepower-to-weight ratio. That means more speed and fuel-efficiency on top of the exceptional strength and seaworthiness these space-age materials provide.
Today, Huckins yachts are among the lightest, strongest and fuel-stingiest afloat, displacing thousands of pounds less than similarly-built competitive boats. Coupled with our legendary Quadraconic® hull, this weight-conscious design produces the Huckins-signature performance so admired by experienced yachters.
Yachting leadership
for three generations.
Back in 1928, when Frank Pembroke Huckins launched his first yacht and the company that bears his name, the process of creating something extraordinary was a labor of love. Eighty years later, we can assure you that the emotion runs in the family.
Huckins owner Cindy Purcell (granddaughter of Frank Huckins) and husband Buddy Purcell share the founder's vision and operate one of the oldest family-owned boat builders in the United States. Both began employment at Huckins in 1970 — Cindy in the stock room and Buddy starting off as a painter. Working hard and immersing themselves in Huckins philosophy and tradition, each was instilled with generations of know-how.
The guidance of Kenneth Archibald, Cindy's father and then-president of Huckins, and George Pillsbury, vice-president and manager at the time, would later prove invaluable as Cindy and Buddy transitioned Huckins into the ultra-modern era of lightweight, fuel-efficient materials without sacrificing one ounce of our legendary elegance. Today the couple oversee all facets of the manufacturing process and are proud to say that Huckins remains an extended family of employees and yacht owners.
Looking toward the horizon, Cindy and Buddy are steadfastly committed to the company's legacy by adhering to Frank Huckins' insistence on impeccable craftsmanship, revolutionary design and close collaboration with our custom-yacht clients. Now, as always, this is the Huckins recipe for successful leadership, both in the industry and within our own company.
A proud history.
And making more every day.
Prewar
In 1928 Frank Pembroke Huckins sold his first yacht, a revolutionary Huckins Fairform Flyer, to David M. Goodrich for $15,000. Work on Hull #2 began immediately. In those days, the custom cruisers designed and built by FPH at his Jacksonville, Florida plant became the envy of the yachting world virtually overnight. Long before speed was all the rage on the water, Huckins yachts — ranging from 45-56 feet — were forging a reputation in performance.
Fortunately, the stock market crash of 1929 had little initial effect on Huckins, which possessed a number of orders already in hand. David M. Goodrich, the original owner of Hull #1, Minim, now put Huckins to work on Maxim, a 54-footer powered with Sterling Dolphin Specials. The mid-30’s proved more challenging, but FPH never lost confidence in his dream and by the end of the decade sales were coming from across the country.
PT Boat Era
Prior to America’s entry into WWII, Huckins' participation in the PT Boat development program came after vessels constructed by various builders failed to satisfy Navy requirements. FPH, having learned that the twenty PT’s already in service were experiencing severe problems, secured a meeting with the Navy Bureau of Ships.
His pitch: Building the "fastest seagoing boats in the world" in the 20's and 30's gave Huckins the experience necessary to design a PT boat capable of providing a fast platform for the Navy’s armament requirements.
In December 1940, with scant assistance from the Navy, FPH began the project from the ground up. Delivered to the Navy in July of 1941, Huckins’ prototype was run through trials and accepted with enthusiasm as PT 69. In the end, FPH’s $100,000 gamble paid off, albeit with a net profit of $28.60.
Postwar
After the war, Huckins delighted a new generation of yachtsmen with a line of performance cruisers, many of which are still cherished for their speed and efficiency. Loyal customer David Goodrich launched his third Fairform Flyer, the first boat out of Huckins’ new yard on the Ortega River.
While Frank Pembroke Huckins died in 1951, key players from this era would form the company’s management team for years to come: Ray Teller, hired by FPH to lead Huckins’ postwar design; George Pillsbury, destined to become vice president; Henry Baldwin, the company’s president and salesman; and Kenneth Archibald, stepson of FPH, who later became CEO and is still active in the company today.
Present Day
Today, under the leadership of Cindy and Buddy Purcell, Huckins Yacht Corporation continues to incorporate ever-advancing marine technologies without sacrificing 80 years of tradition.
As always, the Huckins family prides itself on maintaining FPH’s insistence on patent-grabbing innovation, timeless style and custom craftsmanship that makes every yacht as unique as its owners. This philosophy has provided a heritage of success spanning eight decades, through countless financial upswings and downturns.
Looking forward, we find ourselves in the enviable position of being able to recreate our past (Huckins’ library of original drawings includes every yacht we’ve ever built), along with the design skills necessary to introduce new models that more than live up to our remarkable history.
For additional details on what turns perfectionist' dreams into reality, download our "One at a Time" document.
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