Hughes Sail Boats

The company that produces Hughes sail boats, Hughes Boat Works, was founded in Willowdale, Ontario, Canada in 1963 by brothers Howard and Peter Hughes. Originally, the company produced 8'-16' dinghies. Hughes Boat Works was the largest manufacturer of sailboats in Canada, until it was purchased by US Steel in 1969 and became Northstar Yachts, Ltd. in 1971.

Hughes Sail Boats

In 1965, Hughes began producing the H24, H27, and H38, their first racing boats. In 1967, Hughes Boat Works became a legal corporation with the purpose of manufacturing pleasure boats.

Designed by Howard Hughes, the H22, H25, and H29 were generated in 1968. When Hughes was purchased by US Steel, the Hughes brothers continued to contribute ideas, until the company's name was changed in 1971. Northstar went on to build Hughes' boats, but many owners believe that quality suffered somewhat as a result of the transition.

Sparkman and Stephens

Many of the Hughes boats were designed or co-designed by Sparkman and Stephens. Since 1929, Sparkman and Stevens has been world reknowned for its design of admirable sailing and racing yachts.

Sparkman and Stephens has over 2600 designs in pleasure, commercial and military crafts. Sailing yachts remain the most well known branch of their empire. Many of these have been featured winners in the America's Cup, Fastnet and Sydney to Hobart races.

Howard Hughes, President

Howard Hughes prided himself on the quality and craftsmanship of all the models of Hughes sail boats building with the principles of the "no compromise 'Proper Yacht Method'". The Hughes sail boats were built to last throughout the ages with top of the line materials of the highest quality.

All of the Hughes boats were built to be cutting edge in style and sophistication and well as speed and luxury. The phrase "interiors are our 'thing'", coined by Howard Hughes, was used to describe the comfort and workability of the Hughes interior. For Howard Hughes, the importance of safety onboard one of his vessels was not something to put a price tag on, and he did not believe in passing on the price of those "little extras" to the customer.

After selling the company in 1969, Howard Hughes bought back the then named Northstar Yachts, Ltd. in 1977 and renamed it Hughes Boat Works, Inc. Once again, in 1980, Hughes sold the company, this time to Aura Yachts. He would decide for the final time in 1986 to reclaim ownership of his beloved enterprise.

Hughes Boat Works, Today

Unfortunately, the legacy of Hughes Boat Works is not one that is actively contributed to today with new Hughes Boat Works ideas. In Orangeville, Ontario, 1991, what would be the present day Hughes factory was destroyed by a devastating fire. Since then, Hughes Boat Works has been out of production.

The ruination of the Hughes factory does not mean, however, that a Hughes sail boat is impossible to come by. Because of Mr. Howard Hughes' penchant for thoroughly designed, almost indestructible sailboats, numerous models can currently be seen sailing waters the world over.

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