History of Duffy Boats in Brooklin, Maine
Duffy & Duffy was founded in 1975 by Richard and Ralph “Riley” Duffy, a father-and-son team who revolutionized fiberglass lobster boat construction in Maine. The pair worked together until Riley was 81, building a business that would become legendary in the Maine boatbuilding community.
The Early Years
In January 1975, Richard moved to Brooklin and built a 30-by-50-foot boat shop. What began as a way to generate winter income for the lobstermen quickly evolved into something much larger. Richard initially planned to continue fishing, but word spread quickly, and within a couple of months, he had orders for eight or ten boats.
In the spring of 1975, they sold their first complete lobster boat to Merton Eaton of Stonington for $17,500, equipped with a pot hauler, power steering, a 455 Oldsmobile engine, a CB radio, and a small depth finder. That boat remained in service for over 33 years.
The Game-Changing Duffy 35
The boat that made Duffy & Duffy famous was a 35-footer, designed by Spencer Lincoln in 1981. Richard Duffy built one specifically for lobster boat racing, equipped with one of the first turbo-charged, after-cooled Caterpillar engines. The boat’s success at the Stonington races launched its reputation. The Duffy 35 became one of the most popular lobster boats of all time, with over 370 hulls built since 1982.
For years, Duffy & Duffy competed in Maine’s legendary lobster boat races against rivals like Young Brothers and Holland, producing high-performance vessels that could reach remarkable speeds while maintaining the seaworthiness Maine fishermen demanded.
The Merger and Legacy
In 1995, Duffy & Duffy merged with Flye Point Marine to form Atlantic Boat Company. After twenty years of building boats, it is estimated that Richard Duffy built approximately 578 vessels.
Due to factors associated with the 2009 recession, Tern Inc. purchased Atlantic Boat Company. This purchase led to service expansion at Atlantic Boat Company’s 40-acre facility located on Flye Point Road in Brooklin. The expanded new service work, storage, and mooring management continue alongside the original mold Duffy boat construction.
Today, the Duffy name remains synonymous with quality Maine lobster boat construction, and fishermen throughout the region cherish them.
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