RABCO Boats carries a local legacy into a new era
RABCO Boats in Tampa Bay
For nearly half a century, RABCO Boats has been part of Tampa Bay’s rich boat-building history. Now, under new ownership, the Clearwater company is honoring that legacy while charting a new course for the future. FOX 13 Photojournalist Mike Hughes reports.
CLEARWATER, Fla. - For nearly half a century, RABCO Boats has been part of Tampa Bay’s rich boat-building history. Now, under new ownership, the Clearwater company is honoring that legacy while charting a new course for the future.
Tampa Bay custom boat manufacturing
What we know:
RABCO Boats began building vessels in the Tampa Bay area in 1976, earning a reputation for producing rugged, reliable boats designed for Florida waters.
Today, new owner Ryan Churchill is taking the company to the next level by bringing the RABCO lineup into the modern era.
Churchill and his team are introducing innovative features and updated designs while staying true to the qualities that helped build the RABCO name: performance, durability and affordability.
Unlike mass-produced boats moving through a large assembly line, every RABCO is built by hand from the ground up. The process begins with the hull and continues through every stage of construction, including the electrical systems, hardware, engine and custom finishing touches.
Customers can help shape the final product by selecting the engine, layout, electronics and other features that best fit how they plan to use the boat.
Craftsmanship and vessel lineup
Dig deeper:
RABCO’s lineup includes the Buccaneer 14, Buccaneer 16, R21 and R28. The boats are designed for a variety of experiences on the water, from navigating shallow inshore areas to fishing and cruising farther offshore.
The company uses composite materials and marine-grade components throughout its builds. By working directly with customers and building its boats locally, RABCO aims to offer custom features without pushing the finished boat beyond the reach of the everyday boating enthusiast.
Customers are also invited to follow the construction process. They can visit the shop, see the craftsmanship firsthand and watch as their boat takes shape.
For Churchill, the goal is not to leave RABCO’s history behind, but to build upon it—combining nearly 50 years of local boat-building experience with the technology, features and customization modern boaters expect.
Scheduling shop tours in Clearwater
Learn More:
RABCO Boats is located at 4801 110th Terrace North in Clearwater. Those interested in exploring the company’s lineup can visit rabcomarine.com to schedule an in-person appointment and receive a tour of the shop and its custom boat-building process.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from RABCO Boats, which provided details on its history, hand-built vessel construction process and Clearwater shop location.