In a small boat yard in Ventnor, New Jersey, Ventnor Boat Works has gained fame as the builder of the world’s fastest custom speed boats since 1902. Founded by Adolph Apel, Ventnor has developed a tradition of expert craftsmanship incorporated with fine boat building.

During much of the formidable years prior to World War II, Ventnor, with its advanced designs plus a group of highly skilled employees, concentrated on producing custom-built racing hulls for many famous individuals interested in winning races and establishing new world speed records. Ventnor dominated racing and high speed boat designs, winning a multitude of domestic and international speed trials, races and regattas in most classes, including the Gold Cup as well as Sir Malcolm Campbell’s “Bluebird”, the fastest boat in the world at that time.

With World War II beginning, Ventnor relocated and enlarged its facilities in Atlantic City, New Jersey and switched from building racing and pleasure craft to producing war ships. Ventnor was contracted to build 83′ and 104′ air-sea rescue boats for the Army as well as 110′ sub-chasers for the Navy. Because of their outstanding work throughout the war years, Ventnor received the coveted Army-Navy “E” award in 1946. The war taught Ventnor a great deal about light weight, strong, quality building techniques and time-saving methods using plywood construction.

From that time on, Ventnor built many types and sizes of watercraft including rowboats, skiffs, tenders, race boats, runabouts, cruisers and even sailboats. Various materials were used, such as mahogany plank, plywood and lapstrake construction. Propulsion varied from electric, steam, diesel, gasoline and wind power -all were used at one time or another through Ventnor’s pioneering history in the marine industry. Construction techniques and materials have changed through the years and Ventnor has always proven itself with the ability to change with the times, while maintaining its engineering, styling and construction leadership.