Paul Mann, a “Carolina Flare” Custom Sportfishing Pioneer and Owner of Paul Mann Custom Boats, Sets Course to Retire. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 15^th

CONTACT: Robin Mann, media@paulmanncustomboats.com 

DARE COUNTY, NC – For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also, and for more than three decades you could find Paul Mann of Paul Mann Custom Boats in Manns Harbor, North Carolina, doing what he was most passionate about––building custom sportfishing yachts. Paul, a lifelong avid fisherman with a gift of building tailored, traditional, true Carolina hulls has decided to officially retire and begin his next chapter alongside his wife, Robin. With several prospective clients and a booming marine industry, you can imagine the decision to retire did not come easily. However, after a year of focusing on their health, both felt the timing was perfect.

Paul credits the time he spent tagging along with his father, uncles and older brothers–all passionate fisherman–for his love of fishing, which began at an early age! Later on, Paul with his homegrown, down-to-earth honesty, would find inspiration working alongside local legends like Sunny Briggs, Buddy Canady (Captain BC) and Omie Tillet. After training, engineering and refining his craft, Paul became exceptionally qualified and a master of his art. Blending tried and true traditional techniques, he made sure every build was purposeful, unmatched and provided a home-away-from home for owners to travel anywhere in the world. As an awarded wood craftsman, he designed interiors specifically for the owner’s lifestyle and unique to their vision.

MADD HATTER, 52.6′ – Splashed 1988 Hull #1 (Hull 101)

Paul and his exceptionally talented team (many with over 20 years of dedication) not only built handcrafted luxurious interiors, but proven, time-tested tournament winners! Made with a multitude of comforts, these highly equipped customs are first and foremost world-class sportfishers with phenomenal sea-keeping and fishing capabilities, particularly in rough seas. The first hull, launched more than 30 years ago, is still active in sportfishing today and further solidifies that “Only the best can be Mann made!”

Paul’s passion, determination and drive have served him throughout the years, especially this past year during recovery from surgery. After building a career driven by a dream, Paul and Robin are still setting the course for others to follow. Being a pioneer himself, Paul leaves these words of inspiration for others in the craft: “Always pursue your passion and your dreams. Never let anyone discourage you and tell you what you are unable to fulfill. You are the only one setting your own limitations to what you truly can accomplish.”

MANN CAVE, 63′ – Splashed 2020 Hull #40 (Hull 140)

With the closing of Paul Mann Custom Boats’ facility, great efforts were taken to preserve items that held special meaning to the company. When speaking about a handcrafted conference table donated to the College of The Albemarle Foundation, Robin said, “Finding places for 33 years of tools and business items has been challenging, but also rewarding. We have made many important and meaningful decisions over the years at this table and we hope that it will bring others the same fulfilling memories as it has brought to us. We were pleased that the college was able to find just the right spot.”

Recognized throughout the marine and woodworking industry for award-winning craftsmanship, Paul Mann Custom Boats has built more than 40 yachts from 52 to 80+ feet. Using jigs or the traditional frame and plank cold-molded style, or a combination of the two methods, according to customer wants and needs, each boat was designed for exceptional performance.

To highlight Paul’s lifelong achievement for exceptional boat building he was recently honored by the Dare County Boatbuilders Foundation for his contributions to the boatbuilding industry and to the Outer Banks. Paul and Robin are renowned supporters of the Outer Banks boatbuilding industry and sport fishing all around the world, and they have been also widely recognized for their enthusiastic support of many civic and community causes on their beloved Outer Banks.

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