A Florida startup announced plans to bring a familiar boat brand back into production.
Tashmoo Boatworks, founded by David Reiter, debuted at the 2026 Palm Beach International Boat Show with plans to revive the Tashmoo line of compact fiberglass skiffs. These boats garnered a loyal following around Martha’s Vineyard in the 1980s.
Originally created by Dan West and named for Lake Tashmoo on the Vineyard, the boats earned a reputation as rugged, utilitarian platforms suited to the region’s often choppy coastal waters. Their simple layouts and durable construction made them popular with local fishermen for harbor work, lobstering and striped bass fishing close to shore.
The company changed hands in the late 1980s and again in the 1990s, but many of the original boats remain in service today, underscoring the durability of the design.
Tashmoo Boatworks will build on that legacy by using original molds. The first launch from the new company will be the Tashmoo 18, a Jonesport-style skiff with the workboat profile of the originals. The boat will be constructed with modern materials and a semi-custom approach. The boat can be built to order, with owners able to specify finishes, layouts and components based on intended use.
The company says the 18-footer is designed to serve multiple roles, from a harbor tender to a light-duty fishing platform or general-purpose dayboat. An electric propulsion option is also under consideration for waters where internal combustion engines are restricted.
Tashmoo models will be produced by Dragonfly Boatworks in Vero Beach, Florida, a builder with decades of experience in skiff construction.
The return of the Tashmoo name taps into a resurgence of interest in simple, practical small boats, particularly those with roots in regional working designs. The Tashmoo 18 may appeal to experienced boaters looking for straightforward, low-maintenance platforms that prioritize function over complexity.
