Hewes Marine Company and its Hewescraft aluminium boat brand have been sold to long-serving executive David Honeycutt and his family, keeping the Colville, Washington, manufacturer under local, family ownership.
The sale follows an announcement earlier in 2026 by owners Dave, Bill and Launa Hewes that they intended to find new ownership for the business, which was founded in 1948 by Ralph and Bob Hewes.
Honeycutt has been part of Hewes Marine’s leadership team since 2005 and has managed its manufacturing and engineering functions.
He has served as senior director for the past ten years and is currently vice-president and senior director.
The company said the Hewes family conducted an extensive review of potential leadership options before selecting Honeycutt and his family.
Providing continuity
The transition is intended to provide continuity for employees, dealers and customers while preserving the company’s manufacturing base in Colville.
“The stability that David Honeycutt and his family will provide, and the strength of a transition like this to someone who already knows the business inside and out, are great advantages,” said Dave Hewes. “And the company will remain locally- and family-owned.”
Hewes Marine employs more than 180 people across aluminium boat design, manufacturing, marketing, sales and distribution. The company supplies around 40 retail marine dealers in the US and Canada.
The manufacturer says its factory is operating at capacity and that the Hewescraft brand continues to increase its share of the North American market for heavy-gauge, all-welded aluminium boats.
Long-term success
Honeycutt and his family have lived and worked in the Colville community for more than 30 years.
“I am humbled and encouraged by the Heweses’ confidence in me and my family to be the next steward of this company,” said Honeycutt.
“The long-term success of this company, the Hewescraft brand, our employees, and this community are the reasons my family and I want to be a part of this for years to come. This is an exciting time. We are growing.”
