Lyman Morse Yachts
Lyman-Morse Yachts represents the apex of American custom boatbuilding, merging centuries-old New England maritime tradition with state-of-the-art composite, aluminum, and wooden construction. Based in Thomaston and Camden, Maine, Lyman-Morse has earned international acclaim for building bespoke powerboats, high-performance sailing yachts, and ocean-tested blue-water cruisers tailored strictly to the owner’s vision.
Renowned for their meticulous engineering, exquisite custom cabinetry, and flawless execution across diverse building materials, Lyman-Morse yachts are designed for world-roaming mariners and discerning yachting enthusiasts. Whether constructed with modern carbon fiber, sea-tested marine aluminum, or cold-molded wood composites, every vessel produced by Lyman-Morse reflects an unwavering commitment to seaworthiness, beauty, and operational integrity.
At Wellington Yacht Partners, our brokers bring deep, direct familiarity to the Lyman-Morse market. Operating from our bases in Newport and Portsmouth, Rhode Island, our team includes former captains and brokers who appreciate the precision and engineering depth of custom Maine yacht construction. Whether you are buying or selling, we offer expert guidance across the full Lyman-Morse custom lineage. Browse our current Lyman-Morse yachts for sale below, or contact our brokers to discuss a specific custom build or brokerage opportunity.
Current Listings
SARAH JANE
MYSTERY
Pedigree & Performance
Brand History & Legacy
Deep Maine Roots: Over 40 Years of Custom Excellence
Founded in 1978 by Cabot and Heidi Lyman in Thomaston, Maine, Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding was forged upon a heritage of historic Maine craftsmanship dating back to the legendary Morse family shipyards of the 19th century. Joining forces with Roger Morse, Cabot Lyman established a custom shipyard designed to handle complex, high-end builds across all mediums, from classic wood-epoxy cold molding to advanced composite and marine aluminum construction.
Over four decades, Lyman-Morse has launched more than 110 custom vessels ranging from high-tech racing yachts and traditional Spirit of Tradition sailing yachts to rugged expedition power vessels and fast Downeast express cruisers. Today, under the leadership of Drew Lyman, the yard continues to combine traditional Maine work ethic with modern digital modeling, CNC fabrication, and advanced marine propulsion systems.
Design & Craftsmanship
Bespoke Engineering Across Aluminum, Composite, and Wood
Unlike high-volume production yards, Lyman-Morse is a true custom boatbuilder. Every vessel is a unique collaboration between world-renowned naval architects, such as C. Raymond Hunt, Sparkman & Stephens, Stephens Waring, Zurn Yacht Design, and Ward Setzer, and the client.
Lyman-Morse’s master craftspeople excel in cold-molded wood construction, advanced pre-preg carbon fiber composites, and robust marine-grade aluminum welding. Below deck, Lyman-Morse interiors are celebrated for hand-selected hardwoods, custom joinery, integrated sound attenuation, and complex electrical and mechanical systems engineered for reliable global cruising.
Key Features & Model Variations
Custom Sailing Yachts and Spirit of Tradition Cruisers
Lyman-Morse has built some of the world’s most celebrated sailing yachts, combining timeless classic lines with cutting-edge underwater foils and sail-handling technology.
- Cold-molded and composite classics: Spirit of Tradition sailing yachts that pair traditional aesthetic sheerlines with modern fin keels, spade rudders, and high-modulus carbon rigs.
- Blue-water ocean passage makers: Heavy-duty aluminum and composite sailing yachts custom-engineered for shorthanded circumnavigation and rough-water stability.
- High-performance racers and cruisers: Lightweight composite sailing vessels custom-built for offshore racing and fast blue-water voyaging.
Custom Motor Yachts, Jet Boats, and Expedition Vessels
Lyman-Morse motor yachts are recognized worldwide for their distinctive sea-kindly hulls, quiet operation, and refined performance.
- Downeast express and jet cruisers: High-speed powerboats incorporating Hamilton jet drives or C. Raymond Hunt deep-V hull designs for fast, shallow-draft coastal cruising.
- Flybridge and sedan motor yachts: Custom long-range motor yachts featuring expansive main decks, luxury master suites, and whisper-quiet machinery spaces.
- Aluminum expedition and utility yachts: Rugged ocean-going power vessels built with heavy-gauge aluminum for extreme latitude cruising and extended self-sufficiency.
What Sets Lyman Morse Apart
Choosing a Lyman-Morse yacht is an investment in a one-of-a-kind maritime masterpiece built to the absolute highest standards of American custom shipbuilding.
True custom capability
Unmatched flexibility across materials, building with aluminum, advanced carbon fiber, glass-reinforced plastic, or cold-molded wood.
Renowned naval architecture collaborations
Built in partnership with top naval architects, ensuring world-class hydrodynamic efficiency and structural performance.
Comprehensive in-house fabrication
An in-house metal shop, composite division, and master woodworking shop provide total quality control over every component.
Superior sound and vibration dampening
Advanced noise attenuation engineering delivers whisper-quiet interior acoustics while underway at cruising speeds.
Enduring value and prestige
Due to their bespoke nature and legendary build quality, pre-owned Lyman-Morse yachts hold high esteem and strong demand among custom yacht connoisseurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lyman-Morse Yachts was established in 1978 by Cabot and Heidi Lyman in Thomaston, Maine. Built upon the boatbuilding legacy of the Morse family, Lyman-Morse operates state-of-the-art shipyard facilities in Thomaston and Camden, Maine, offering custom boatbuilding, service, and refit capabilities.
Lyman-Morse is one of the few custom yards with expertise across all major building materials. They construct custom sailing and motor yachts using advanced fiberglass composites, pre-preg carbon fiber, marine-grade aluminum, and traditional cold-molded wood-epoxy techniques.
Lyman-Morse specializes primarily in custom and semi-custom builds. While they have produced limited semi-custom series, such as the Seguin sailing yachts and Monhegan powerboat series, almost every Lyman-Morse yacht is tailored uniquely to the specifications of its original owner.
Because every Lyman-Morse vessel is uniquely designed, pre-owned buyers should thoroughly inspect the structural build records, mechanical and electrical schematics, hull composition (composite, wood, or aluminum), and maintenance history. Partnering with an experienced broker ensures a thorough survey by specialists in custom yacht construction.
Wellington Yacht Partners represents buyers and sellers of custom Lyman-Morse power and sailing yachts worldwide. Whether you wish to list your yacht, consult with our brokers, or explore our complete yacht services, contact our team today to discuss your Lyman-Morse search or listing.