CEO of Bristol Marine Buys Huckins
Management Team To Remain in Place, According to Cindy and Buddy Purcell
Huckins Yacht Corporation is one of the oldest boatbuilders in America, builder of the iconic watercraft such as the Fairform Flyer and Second World War PT boats. The company is located on the Ortega River in Jacksonville, operated by third-generation owners Cindy and Buddy Purcell. The buyer is Andy Tyska, founder of Bristol Marine of Rhode Island, with yards in Somerset, Massachusetts and Boothbay Harbor, Maine.
This is the Huckins announcement, distributed yesterday.
Dear Valued Supporters and Customers,
We are writing to share important news about Huckins Yacht Corporation. After more than fifty years at the helm, we have decided to pass the torch and transition our family business to new ownership. We're pleased to announce that we've found an excellent fit in Andy Tyska.
Andy brings a wealth of experience to Huckins, with a degree in Naval Architecture from the University of Michigan and 27 years of experience operating boat yards. He currently owns and operates boat yards in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Maine under Bristol Marine, specializing in service, refits, and new construction. What impressed us most about Andy is his deep appreciation for the Huckins brand and our commitment to quality.
We're confident that his expertise will help Huckins continue to thrive while honoring our heritage. We want to emphasize that our dedicated team, the backbone of Huckins, will remain in place. Sara Gielow, our general manager, will continue to lead the day-to-day operations. Sara's years of commitment to Huckins, her extensive knowledge of our brand, our boats, and our team's capabilities have been instrumental in meeting and exceeding customer expectations.
Equally important, PJ Rogers, our service manager, will continue to play a critical role in working directly with customers to provide the exceptional service Huckins is known for. PJ has been with Huckins for over 20 years and is proud to fill the role that his father Paul once did. This family legacy, combined with PJ's expertise and dedication, ensures that our commitment to quality service remains stronger than ever.
The rest of our skilled staff will also continue in their roles, maintaining the high standards of craftsmanship and service that define Huckins. We'll be staying on as outside advisors to help guide the transition and preserve the Huckins legacy. We're grateful for your support over the years and are excited for you to be part of this new chapter with Andy at the helm, Sara guiding our operations, and PJ ensuring top-notch service. We believe this transition will position Huckins for continued success in the years to come.
Stay tuned for more details about this transition, which we'll be sharing with the broader boating community in the coming weeks. Thank you for your continued trust and support. —Cindy and Buddy Purcell