Starting in a modest shop in the heart of Stuart, Florida’s renowned boatbuilding community, Mark Willis has carved out a reputation in the sport-fishing world by building good-looking, robust, highly detailed, honest boats. With a track record of building unique vessels that fit the requirements and desires of his discerning buyers, Willis has made a significant impact on the custom boat market—his boats have traveled far and wide, with owners actively seeking them out for their ride, fishability and capabilities. Hull No. 18 is under construction, one of three 70-footers currently underway at Willis Custom Yachts.
How did you become a boatbuilder?
It’s an old story—I started as a fisherman, and then back in 1982 or something I started building a little 30-foot boat for myself, a single screw with…
