Back in the early 1900’s, a small boat yard in Ventnor gained fame as the builder of the world’s fastest custom speed boats. Founded by Adolph Apel in 1902, Ventnor Boat Works developed a tradition of expert craftsmanship with high performance among the best builders in the world.
During much of the formidable years prior to World War II, Ventnor, with its advanced designs, concentrated on producing custom-built racing hulls for many famous individuals interested in winning races and establishing new world speed records. Ventnor dominated racing and high-speed boat designs. It’s watercraft won many domestic and international speed trials, races and regattas including the Gold Cup. They built Sir Malcolm Campbell’s “Bluebird”, the fastest boat in the world at that time.
With World War II beginning, Ventnor relocated and enlarged its facilities to the waterfront in West Atlantic City. It switched from building racing and pleasure craft to producing war ships. Ventnor was contracted to build air-sea rescue boats for the Army and sub-chasers for the Navy. The war taught Ventnor a great deal about light weight, strong, quality building techniques and time-saving methods using plywood construction.
From that time on, Ventnor built many types and sizes of watercraft including rowboats, skiffs, tenders, race boats, runabouts, cruisers and even sailboats. Various materials were used, such as mahogany plank, plywood and lapstrake construction. Propulsion varied from electric, steam, diesel, gasoline and wind power. Construction techniques and materials have changed through the years and Ventnor had always proven itself with the ability to change with the times, while maintaining its engineering, styling and construction leadership.
