ed him about the tuna bite I had found.” As they say, the rest was history. Jack’s company, Trader Construction, went on to be a critical partner in improving Jarrett Bay’s facilities, and three generations of his family have now built five custom Jarrett Bays over the years. Throughout that time, the boats evolved from sparsely appointed charter boats to impeccably crafted performance sportfish yachts. “Hull five was the first nicer interior of any kind for us. I had never even considered a teak and holly sole in a boat before, but Jack had firm ideas on what he wanted. “It had a teak cockpit and pecan interior. I didn’t know how to do all the finish carpentry at the time, but a couple guys that came along could. God puts people in your path,” Randy says. “Some said Builder’s Choice was the nicest boat to be built in our county, which I found to be an unbelievable compliment.” Randy also cites the move from their first shop in Williston over to Marshallberg as another big risk, “because at the time we leased it out, we only had one boat to build.” They didn’t have any other commissions lined up after. “We’d be out of business soon and were contemplating closing the company. We moved on faith,” he adds. God moved too when local captain Ben Green came through and committed to build the Bill Collector (hull 11) with them. Getting to know Ben over the build process also sparked Jarrett Bay’s foray into brokerage sales, with Ben becoming the first salesperson and an essential cog in the company’s growth—despite the sales office’s humble beginnings. “In Marshallberg, we took a bathroom and cut it in half, put in a wall, set up a desk and had just enough room for a chair on each side. That’s how Jarrett Bay Yacht Sales was formed.” The Marshallberg property also allowed them to start servicing additional boats, which provided a steadier stream of work and income alongside the new construction projects. Both the sales and service operations eventually thrived, successfully demonstrating the salesmanship and teamwork Randy and his growing team were capable of. The company’s next move, in 1998, was another big leap. “The parcel we’re on now had been for sale for many years, and I had always thought it was out of reach. When I visited, I thought, ‘Holy cow, this could be the mother of all boat yards,’” Randy recalls. Jack Huddle was instrumental in encouraging the idea, plus they had the blessing of the local economic development bureau, a formal business plan, and banking partners that believed in them. “But it was still huge on faith,” Randy admits. Two of the three buildings had collapsed roofs and had been vandalized terribly—to the point there was no copper plumbing or wiring left. He was dreading the on-site visit with the bankers, “but this was one of the many times God intervened for me. It was raining so hard we never even got out of the truck!” The inspection passed and the loan went through. Developing the property was still a daunting task, with Jack and his construction company doing all the work. “All on a handshake, same way as all the boats we built with him,” adds Randy. Around the same time, Randy was expanding the yacht sales company by opening offices in Wilmington, North Carolina and Fort Lauderdale. A few years later, he was blessed with another big risk and opportunity, when Bill Naumann of Hatteras Yachts paid him an unexpected visit. “I was positive he wanted to buy us out. But instead, he comes in and says, ‘How’d you feel about being a Hatteras dealer?’ I went from the dread that he wanted to purchase Jarrett Bay to the news he wanted us to carry this storied boat line. I didn’t know Bill personally yet, but I was instantly excited about the opportunity!” Years later, after growing into Maryland and surviving the great recession, the Jarrett Bay started in Williston before moving to Marshallberg and then to Beaufort, North Carolina on it’s incredible growth trajectory. 25 2024 SEASON
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