Who Owned Boulder Boat Works? A History Of Hands

Boulder Boat Works, a drift boat manufacturing company based in Carbondale, Colorado, has been at the forefront of drift boat technology since its inception, thanks to its innovative hull material technology. The company changed hands in November 2017 when Shaun Hargrave, a former materials manufacturing company owner, took over as the new owner. Hargrave, who had a long-standing interest in selling products in the fishing industry, was already familiar with Boulder Boat Works through his childhood friend and Colorado guide, Dan McMahon. Under Hargrave's leadership, the company continues to honour its commitment to innovation, as evidenced by the release of a skiff-style boat at the 2019 International Fly Tackle Dealer (IFTD) show in Denver.

Boulder Boat Works' history

Boulder Boat Works was founded by Andy Toohey, a master carpenter and avid Colorado-based angler. Toohey wanted to create a drift boat that was lighter, quieter, and more durable. After crafting multiple prototypes, he created a company to bring his vision to anglers everywhere.

Boulder Boat Works is the first and only company to create a drift boat that delivers on the dream of a drifter that is better in every way. The company blends time-honored woodworking techniques with modern mechanics and advanced plastics to create drift boats that are nearly indestructible. Their boats are made from the strongest, most flexible polymer that can be welded by hand. This makes their boats the lightest, fastest, and best-handling drift boats on the water. They are also virtually maintenance-free.

In November 2017, the company changed hands and was acquired by Shaun Hargrave, who was operating a materials manufacturing company at the time. Hargrave had known about the company through his childhood friend and Colorado guide, Dan McMahon. Hargrave liquidated his company and moved to the Roaring Fork Valley to take over Boulder Boat Works.

Under Hargrave's ownership, the company relocated from Longmont to Carbondale, Colorado. Hargrave and the new team of skilled boat makers continued to innovate and honor the company's legacy. They released a skiff-style boat at the 2019 International Fly Tackle Dealer (IFTD) show in Denver. The skiff-style boat is designed for bigger, flatter, shallower, and windier waters. It has a squared bow and stern, low sides, and a flatter rocker profile.

Boulder Boat Works combines fine craftsmanship and modern technology to create boats that are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing. Their boats are known for their elegance, durability, and ease of handling. The company's dedication to innovation and commitment to building high-quality, durable, and beautiful boats have made them a trusted name in the boating industry.

The company's new owners

Under the new ownership, the company relocated from Longmont to Carbondale, Colorado. Hargrave and Hanson have built on the company's rich history and solid craftsmanship, retaining the innovative polymer hull that sets Boulder Boat Works apart from other drift boat manufacturers. The polymer hull is buoyant yet slippery on rocks, enabling boats to move easily over rock and gravel bars. It is also durable, flexible, and lightweight, allowing for faster, more responsive, and high-floating boats that can easily handle shallow, rocky rivers.

Hargrave and his team of skilled boat makers have continued to innovate, releasing a skiff-style boat at the 2019 International Fly Tackle Dealer (IFTD) show in Denver. They plan to continue pushing the envelope, reshaping the dynamic polymer material into new products that consumers are interested in. Hargrave has expressed his desire to make the brand synonymous with high-end, functional, and thoughtfully designed boats.

The new owners have also expanded the company's reach, with local representation in Missoula, Ennis, and Bozeman, and a commitment to getting to know their customers to ensure they find the right boat for their needs.

The company's relocation

Boulder Boat Works, a company specialising in drift boat manufacturing, has had an interesting journey. Founded by master carpenter Andy Toohey, the company was born out of Toohey's passion for creating a drift boat that was lighter, quieter, and more durable. This passion project turned into a successful business that became the first and only company to create a drift boat that excelled in every way.

In 2017, the company changed hands and relocated from Longmont to Carbondale, Colorado. The new owners, Shaun Hargrave and Trevor Hanson, recognised the rich history and craftsmanship that Andy Toohey had instilled in the company. Hargrave, a childhood friend of Colorado guide Dan McMahon, had long wanted to sell something in the fishing industry. When the opportunity arose to acquire Boulder Boat Works, he liquidated his manufacturing company and made the move to the Roaring Fork Valley.

The relocation presented an opportunity for Hargrave and Hanson to build upon the company's strong foundation. They continued to innovate and honour the legacy of the brand, focusing on their unique polymer hull technology. This technology sets Boulder Boat Works apart from other drift boat manufacturers, as the polymer hulls offer durability, buoyancy, and ease of movement over rocks and gravel. The new owners also introduced a new skiff-style boat to their lineup, catering to anglers fishing in bigger, flatter, shallower, and windier waters.

The relocation of Boulder Boat Works to Carbondale, Colorado, marked a new chapter in the company's history. Under the leadership of Shaun Hargrave and Trevor Hanson, the company continued to thrive and expand its offerings while staying true to the innovative spirit of its founder, Andy Toohey.

The new skiff profile

In 2017, Boulder Boat Works changed hands and relocated from Longmont to Carbondale, Colorado. The new owners, Shaun Hargrave and Trevor Hanson, have continued the company's dedication to innovation, honouring the legacy of founder Andy Toohey, a master carpenter and avid angler.

The new skiff's lower sidewalls and mellow rocker profile help mitigate strong winds. It offers a spacious interior with a mind-blowing amount of room, providing excellent fishability. The boat is also faster and more responsive, stopping on a dime and riding high in the water column.

The polymer hull is not only durable but also lightweight, with hull weights ranging from 160 to 200 pounds, compared to the industry standard of 200 to 300 pounds. This lightweight construction makes the boats fast, responsive, and easy to handle, allowing anglers to fish in shallower waters and get closer to rocks without worrying about damage. The polymer material is also flexible, enabling smooth and quiet engagement with obstacles, further enhancing the boat's stealth capabilities.

The company's legacy

Boulder Boat Works is the brainchild of Andy Toohey, a master carpenter and avid Colorado-based angler. The company was born out of Toohey's desire to create a drift boat that was lighter, quieter, more durable, and everlasting. After crafting multiple prototypes, Toohey established Boulder Boat Works to bring his innovative design to anglers worldwide.

The company's boats are known for their exceptional handling and responsiveness, making them ideal for fishing and navigating rivers. The protruding chines, or edges on the bottom of the boat, allow for better cutting through the water compared to boats without a pronounced chine. The lightweight nature of the boats also makes them highly responsive and easy to manoeuvre, even in tight spaces.

Boulder Boat Works takes pride in its attention to detail, with skilled craftsmen hand-cutting, welding, and scraping each polymer hull. The interior components are also handcrafted in Carbondale, CO, ensuring the highest quality and attention to detail. The result is a boat that is not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing, combining elegant woodworking with modern, minimalist design.

In 2017, the company changed hands, with new owners Shaun Hargrave and Trevor Hanson taking over. They relocated the business from Longmont to Carbondale, Colorado, and continued to build on the company's rich history of innovation and craftsmanship. Hargrave and Hanson introduced new boat profiles, such as the skiff-style boat, specifically designed for rivers in the Northern Rockies. They also emphasised the use of polymer hulls, which provided buoyancy and ease of movement over rocks and gravel bars, making their boats ideal for fishing in rivers with rocky terrain.

Boulder Boat Works' dedication to innovation, craftsmanship, and customer satisfaction has solidified its legacy in the boating industry. Their boats are renowned for their performance, durability, and elegance, offering anglers an unparalleled experience on the water.

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