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Thursday, January 30, 2025

Hewescraft Heavy Gauge Aluminum Boats Hit the East Coast...75 Years Later

 


"Justina Hewes was hardworking and resourceful.  She was the widowed mother to three boys (Bill, born 1915; Bob, born 1916, and Ralph, born 1919) who lived in Colville, Washington during a difficult economic time.  Bill lost his life in his early 20s as a result of a tragic auto accident.  Bob was mechanically gifted, left school after the eighth grade, bought a logging truck (for $10), and wen to work in the timber industry.  Ralph worked hard on his studies and, after graduating early from high school, he worked six 10-hour days every week at a bakery.

When Bob and Ralph weren't hard at work, they were building and flying their own airplanes.  This experience prepared them for service as airmen in World War II.  Following the war, with added experience in aircraft piloting, repair, and maintenance, Bob and Ralph returned home to Colville and opened a pilot school to serve veterans looking to improve their education on the G.I. Bill.  They called their school Hewes Flying Service.  

As business at the piloting school waned, Bob and three of his friends decided to build their own fishing boats.  Bob traveled to a junk dealer in Spokane, Washington where he purchased aluminum sheet and other supplies.  After three boats were built (and Bob's buddies could now go fishing instead of building boats) Bob had to recruit his younger brother, Ralph, to help construct his boat.  Local outdoorsmen began to see these small, well-built fishing boats out on local waters, and suddenly, a family business was born.  Bob and Ralph built boats under their Hewes Flying Service company name starting in 1948.  In 1952, they changed the name to Hewes Marine Company."

~ Credit the Hewescraft website & Hewes Family History


Hamlin's Marine with Hewescraft & Weldcraft Staff 
New England Boat Show 2025



Fast forward 75 years, and Hamlin's Marine has partnered with Hewescraft to launch the legendary brand on the East Coast.  

In Boston, we showcased the 160 Sportsman and 240 Ocean Pro models.

160 Sportsman in Foregound
240 Ocean Pro Hardtop in Back

The first retail sold Hewescraft is a 180 ProV Hardtop that will be delivered to Long Lake way up in Aroostook County, Maine.  I'm guessing the hardtop enclosure will turn lots of heads in the land known for Brook Trout, Landlocked Salmon, black flies, and cold mornings.

180 ProV Hard Top Cockpit

Hamlin's Marine will be showcasing Hewescraft during our Gardiner Warehouse Sale on February 15th & 16th.  Come check out the quality and value Hewescraft offers Maine fishermen.  Register HERE to join us for the sale and receive additional purchasing incentives.

For a limited time, Hewescraft is offering huge savings on select SeaRunner and Ocean Pro retail orders.   Check out this offer:



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