About Us
We specialize in creating breathtaking mahogany custom boats.  Contact us today to discuss building your dream..


Company History
Hugh Saint was involved with serious boat building as a teenager when he and his Dad decided to build four 28ft. shrimp trawling boats known as "Lafitte skiffs".  The name derived from the town of Lafitte, Louisiana after the infamous pirate John Lafitte who used to offload some of his bounty in this small village in the Barataria region of southern Louisiana, about 20 miles south of New Orleans, Saint's home town.

The purpose of this boat building effort was to generate funds to cover tuition costs at Georgia Tech where Saint was accepted into the Gugenheim School of Aeronautical Engineering.   Saint trawled shrimp for four years during the summer break, arising at 2:30am every morning in the skiff named "SHIRLEY K.'  after his girlfriend, now devoted wife of 56 years.  The other three skiffs were captained out by Cajun friends in Lafitte.  Fortunately, Saint's Dad spoke fluent French!

On retiring from the USAF after 24 years of service, including 141 combat missions in Vietnam, the then Col. Saint, who had a hobby of antique cars, decided to go into the business of building replicas of those beautiful and speedy varnished mahogany runabouts of the '30's and '40's.  Selecting the best designs was uppermost in Saint's selection criteria.  After considerable research,  he was convinced that designs by the internationally respected naval architect, Douglas Van Patten, filled the bill.  Van Patten was Greavette Boats of Canada's chief designer and also designer for King Olaf of Norway.  Aside from Van Patten's highly successful SHEERLINER, which Saint builds, he was also designer of "MISS CANADA III' race boat which won all international races in its class in 1939.

Fortunately, Saint was able to convince his son-in-law, Tom Stovall, to join his custom boat venture. Tom is a highly qualified automotive technician known for his unique abilities in resolving electronic and computer malfunctions and resolving engine malfunctions.  These talents are also matched by his wood working abilities and having a keen eye for a fair line, a primary requirement in building custom boats.  He also computerized the entire financial system in the business.  In addition, Tom's upbeat attitude and work ethic has been a major contribution to the customer satisfaction reputation of SAINT BOATS.

Unfortunately, Van Patten passed on some years ago, but our current designer Charles Jannace, is equally famous for his sport fisherman designs, most notably BLACKFIN , among many other types of boats.  Saint Boats also offer original custom designs by other famous designers and new custom designs done to customer's requirements from 22ft. to 65ft.

All boats are constructed in the Wood Epoxy Saturation Technique(WEST)(T) for longevity and low upkeep.