Penn Yan Boat Company, which produced a wide range of wooden and fiberglass
powerboats,
sailboats,
canoes and
rowboats, was founded in 1921 by German-native Charles A. Herrman.
[Oben, Bill. (July/August 2008) "Penn Yan: How a Boat in a Barn Gave Rise to Eight Decades of Innovation". ''Wooden Boat'', 203:72-77.] It derived its name from the location of its headquarters,
Penn Yan, New York
Penn Yan is an incorporated village and the county seat of Yates County, New York, United States. The population was 5,159 at the 2010 census. It lies at the north end of the east branch of Keuka Lake, one of the Finger Lakes. Penn Yan, New York ...
.
At its founding, the company built wood boats and canoes, switching to all fiberglass production in the early 1960s. No records are known to survive.
In 1936, Penn Yan introduced its "Car Top" outboard boat. The Car Top, which Penn Yan marketed as being easily lifted by two people, was designed to be light and narrow enough to fit on top of most cars of that era.
[Bond, Hallie E. (1998). ''Boats and Boating in the Adirondacks''. Syracuse University Press. ]
Among other innovations, Penn Yan was known for its patented "Tunnel Drive" concept, whereby a cavity was molded into the bottom of the boat's hull, partially enclosing the propeller and drive shaft. The tunnel drive system provided better boat speed and stability.
The company was sold to new owners in 1979 and finally ceased operations in 2001.
References
{{Reflist
External links
Penn Yan Antique and Classic Boat Owners ClubFinger Lakes Boating Museum Area Builders: Penn Yan Boat CompanyVideo: Beginning Restoration on a Penn Yan Canoe
American boat builders
Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1921
Manufacturing companies disestablished in 2001
Defunct manufacturing companies based in New York (state)