How our company evolved.
Models:
Eastern Boats began in 1981 building one model - the 18' classic which originated as a Norton. A few years later, we added the 22' model and offered it as a center console or Lobster cabin. In 1988 Seaway Boats went out of business and Eastern acquired the Seaway 19 and 23 at auction. Today, these two models represent our 20' and 24'. In 1991, we expanded our range to a 27' model under an agreement to buy the hulls from Five Island Boat Works and finishing them ourselves. A year later, we bought the molds and did the entire build ourselves. In 1994 we acquired the JC 31 and JC 35' under a royalty agreement where Eastern was building the parts as well as doing the finishing. Since then Eastern has acquired different molds and redesigned models and parts to get to our current model offering.
Facilities:
Eastern Boats started out on Route 202 in East Rochester, NH. This facility had two small bays for assembly and glass shop space for two small hulls at a time. In 1992, Eastern rented additional space for assembly in a warehouse in Milton, NH. After a devastating fire in the fall of 1993, Eastern moved its entire operation to the Milton, NH facility. In the fall of 1994, we built a new 50' X 100' addition which became our new glass shop. Eastern continued to outgrow their facilities and in 1999 built a new 11,000 square foot office and assembly shop in the Milton Industrial Park. We followed that up with another building in 2002 and again in 2003 to get to our current facilities. Eastern is currently operating out of over 30,000 square feet of manufacturing space with separate buildings for fiberglass, assembly and rigging operations.
Ownership:
Eastern Boats was found by Carmen Carbone. Bob Bourdeau went to work for Carmen in 1989 and purchased the company in 1993. Eastern Boats remains in his control today. Bob brings with him 35 years of boating experience in all facets of the boating industry. Bob is proud to have both is son Jake and his daughter Ashlee on board working for Eastern. It may be them that keep the Eastern name continuing for another 25 years.
