Whether you’re a new boater or a seasoned blue water veteran, you’ve most likely come across two terms before: shipwright and boat builder. It’s easy to mistake these as synonyms, especially because both craftspeople do their work in the same industry, but there are some crucial differences.
Understanding the difference between a boat builder and a shipwright will allow you to appreciate the deep levels of craftsmanship that go into creating a vessel and will ensure you find the right kind of professional when the time comes to build a custom vessel of your own.
So, for this blog post, we’re breaking down the core differences between a shipwright and a boat builder (including some of the places their roles can surprisingly overlap).
It all began millennia ago, as the earliest boats were discovered in the Netherlands, dating back to between 8200 and 7600 BC. These were small dugouts and hide boats, echoing the canoes and wakas found in other parts of the world.
Even in the early days, a difference in size emerged that put sea-faring vessels into two firm camps: ships and boats. While boats were usually meant for smaller groups to explore or transport small amounts of goods or to take in the sea as a leisure activity, ships were meant for overseas travel and transport.
From early Egypt and Phoenicia to the modern industrial revolution, untold evolutions have taken place in both crafts that have brought them into the modern day. But throughout it all, the distinction between those who work on ships and those who work on boats held up, creating two uniquely respected classes in the world of marine vessel building.
Before we dive into how these classifications differ, let’s start with what they work on: the vessels themselves.
A vessel is typically called a ‘ship’ if it’s headed out into the ocean itself, while ‘boats’ are made for pleasure cruising or hugging the coastline. The size of a vessel can also contribute to this classification, as ships are generally larger than boats, therefore requiring some different building techniques to stay buoyant.
In terms of day-to-day differences, most shipwrights are focused on large-scale projects that come to life in a shipyard, creating technically complex ships for commercial use. Occasionally, shipwrights might also be called on for historical recreations of old wooden ships, though that’s much less common.
On the other hand, boat builders are focused on creating smaller vessels. These can be for commercial purposes or leisure purposes; it all depends on the particular builder’s primary area. For example, the boat builders at Circa Marine bridge the gap, producing world-class commercial vessels and pleasure vessels in equal measure.
The biggest differences lie in the scale, complexity, and purpose of their respective vessels. Shipwrights develop ships for open seafaring, focusing more on structural concerns and heavy load bearing, while boat builders are better for high-quality vessels equipped both inside and outside to be a smooth, sleek ride on the water.
Despite the two different classifications, there are many places where boatbuilders and shipwrights actually work together. The line between the two can be blurred, as both sets of professionals proudly carry a deep understanding of marine craftsmanship. The sea is unforgiving, whether you’re headed out into blue water or staying near the coastline, so it’s vital that the craftsperson you choose can dip their toes into both roles as necessary.
In practice, many shipwrights today also build smaller boats, while many boat builders may be involved in the repair and restoration of larger vessels. At Circa Marine, we’ve partnered with shipwrights on larger projects many times. It’s the blend of these roles that ensures boats of all sizes are built to last and perform.
If you’re an individual considering a custom vessel, you’re most likely in need of a boat builder. Companies or scientific researchers usually employ shipwrights to craft custom vessels that will head out to deep sea, but it’s not often that an individual would require a ship of that size.
Boat builders, on the other hand, can craft vessels up to 65 feet in length for many different purposes. They easily bridge the gap between commercial and personal use, building everything from yachts for casual cruises around the bay to catamarans for racing.
Long story short, the biggest difference between these two time-honoured classifications is the size and purpose of the vessels they build. Whereas shipwrights focus on larger vessels, often bridging historical and modern techniques to create sea-worthy ships, boat builders are focused on the design and assembly of smaller vessels across a range of different industries.
Whether you’re dealing with a shipwright or a boat builder, you’re in the hands of a professional with a wealth of expertise. Both are essential to the marine industry, so it falls to custom boat enthusiasts to carefully select which professional they wish to work with.
Ready to embark on your journey to the high seas? The team at Circa Marine is ready to create a world-class vessel for you to enjoy for decades to come.
Book your consultation with our team today.