Family owned and operated — since 1936.
In its fourth generation as a family owned and operated yard, Snead Island Boat Works continues a long tradition of quality craftsmanship and service to yacht and commercial vessel owners on Florida's west coast.
FOUR GENERATIONS OF ALDERMANS AT THE HELM
Capt. Jim Alderman, who took over operations at Snead Island in 1936.
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Capt. Jim's son Jimmy Alderman, operations manager from the mid-50s to the mid-70s, and Maribel, his wife, who was the bookeeper for many years.
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The current management team, counterclockwise from upper left: Jimmy's son Gary Alderman, his daughters Annie Alderman and Megan Mathews, and his son-in-law Matt Mathews.
History
Pillsbury Ways c. 1927. Yacht Qurita, owned by E. E. Bishop, with Capt. Jim Alderman on aft deck.
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Snead Island Boat Works today: the old shop is still in use but haulout operations have transferred to modernized haulout slips.
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By the time Capt. Jim Alderman took over operations at Snead Island Boat Works in 1936, the location had long been in service as a boat yard. Easy access to Tampa Bay via the Manatee River, good depth and a natural basin supplied by a natural spring made it an ideal location to service, repair and build yachts and small commercial vessels.
Capt. Jim worked for the old "Pillsbury Ways" when E. E. Bishop purchased the yard, and began transforming it into a "modern shipyard," according to a local news story. The erection of what is now the main shop and several freshwater storage sheds marked a new start for the yard, with Capt. Jim at the helm. The new building became a local landmark--an artistic rendering of it now graces the walls of the aquarium at the South Florida Museum.
Capt. Jim worked for the old "Pillsbury Ways" when E. E. Bishop purchased the yard, and began transforming it into a "modern shipyard," according to a local news story. The erection of what is now the main shop and several freshwater storage sheds marked a new start for the yard, with Capt. Jim at the helm. The new building became a local landmark--an artistic rendering of it now graces the walls of the aquarium at the South Florida Museum.
It was also a busy boat yard: the shop allowed for construction and service of larger vessels under cover, and the freshwater storage accommodated 50 boats. Some of the oldest boats in the yard date to this time, including "My Baby," built here in 1939, and "Islander," built in 1926 and re-fitted here as a tow boat, and which is still in service at the yard.
"My Baby" ready for launch in the new shop in 1939.
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The shop still in use today.
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At mid-century, the boat yard was healthy and firmly established as Capt. Jim's son Jimmy began managing operations. The next twenty years saw big technological changes, as fiberglass hulls replaced the traditional wooden hulls that had been the bread-and-butter of the Boat Works for half a century. The changes included greater capacity and new technology. The basin was expanded in 1957 and the sheds were renovated to their current configuration. An Algonac boat hoist was added to the main shed in 1959, which is still in use. Snead Island Boat Works created a new haulout well and purchased its first Travelift in 1971 (It purchased it's ninth in 2017).
The 1959 Algonac boat hoist - still in use today.
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Snead Island Boat Works' first Travelift, 1971.
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Snead Island Boat Works has been home to a number of famous guests over the years. The revolutionary sailing vessel Intrepid made Snead Island its summer home in 1982, while the Canadian America's Cup team used it for practice. You can can get a good view of the innovative rudder design in the rear view picture here. Other famous guests have included Thursday's Child, which in 1989, skippered by Warren Luhrs, eclipsed the record time from New York to San Francisco by 8 days and 12 hours. The 12-meter Heritage stopped by the Boat Works to be converted into an ocean racer, including an engine installation: here's an image of the yacht loaded on the truck for Chicago.
12-Meter Yacht Intrepid out of the water at Snead Island Boat Works
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The separation of the rudder from the keel was a major design innovation that allowed Intrepid to dominate the 1967 America's Cup
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Thursday's Child, skippered by Warren Luhrs, bested the New York to San Francisco sailing record previously held by Fly Cloud in 1982
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12-Meter Yacht Heritage after conversion to an ocean racer, complete with new engine
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The Alderman family bought the yard in the 1970s, and Gary took over operations from his father, Jimmy. The yard has continued to evolve over the years, and has been home to private yachts, high-performance racing boats and world-famous vessels over the years, from the record-setting Thursday's Child, to the revolutionary Intrepid.
Today, Snead Island Boat Works continues the tradition of excellence begun more than 80 years ago. Gary and his son-in-law Matt Mathews oversee operations at the yard, with assistance from Gary's daughters Annie Alderman and Megan Mathews. Surrounded by historic buildings, today's yachts sit cheek-by-jowl with antique boats from days gone by, serviced and maintained with state-of-the-art equipment.
Today, Snead Island Boat Works continues the tradition of excellence begun more than 80 years ago. Gary and his son-in-law Matt Mathews oversee operations at the yard, with assistance from Gary's daughters Annie Alderman and Megan Mathews. Surrounded by historic buildings, today's yachts sit cheek-by-jowl with antique boats from days gone by, serviced and maintained with state-of-the-art equipment.
