F. W. "Skip" Joest
Boat Builder & Master Shipwright
501 4th Ave., - Welaka, FL 32193
904 347-3763
Joest Boats
501 4th Ave
Welaka, FL 32193
ph: 904 347-3763
Skip

Hello, my name is Skip Joest. I began building boats at age 12 with my father. In 1986, I graduated from the Landing School of Wood Boat Building and Design; I then went on to work for several different Master Boat Builders before striking out on my own in the 1990's. After several years of living aboard our Schooner and traveling between various big boat restoration projects, my wife and I have settled in the small town of Welaka Florida on the St. Johns River.
My new shop, Joest Boats, is fully equipped to handle any boatbuilding or repair job up to around 50'. Please look through this site and other links provided to help you understand the high standard for quality craftsmanship Joest Boats offers. Although many of our customers come to us for the quality of our work, we believe it is the speed at which we finish projects that allows us to enjoy so many repeat customers.
Come to Welaka, Florida where heirlooms are built and restored, and reputation matters.
Our current projects include a 40' catamaran, a Nez Perce 16, and the task of setting up and organizing our new location.




From right to left,
Skip Joest - Owner/Boat Builder
Cody Carnathon - Senior Apprentice
Temporary Helper for the move
Skip completed this Custom Sea Skiff 20 for one of his repeat customers. "ME GLEE TOO" has launched and passed inspection successfully. Look for her on the St. Johns River in Florida or heading over to the Bahamas for a week or two stay. With a 60 hp engine this little girl will get there in no time at all. Skip custom built this Sea Skiff with a 6' bunk, head, 1 cooler, and extra gas tanks; to mention just a few of her upgrades. Look in new boats for more pictures of this hansome skiff.
Consultations with Skip for those interested in having Joest Boats build or restore a wood boat should call 904 347-3020 to set an appointment.
For those who would like an expert opinion on those, "Do It Yourself" wood boat projects, call 904 347-3020 to set an appointment to trailer your boat to our shop and save time, money, and frustration by getting the opinion of an internationally respected Master Shipwright. Limited availability. D.I.Y. Consultation: $100.00/hr.
You can find extensive pictures and information about Skip and the new and restoration wood boat work he has done by visiting http://www.1930schoonermistress.com/
For a quick and easy look at Skip's work, click on this 8 min. YouTube video link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n1yhwF2I5c&noredirect=1
Joest Boats is in its new location at
501 4th Ave., Welaka, FL
Once we finish jumping through Municipality hoops, we will be able to get back to the business of building wood boats.
Here is what the shop looked like the other day after the MF-40 was moved in.
Copyright 2012-2013 Joest Boats. All rights reserved.
Joest Boats
501 4th Ave
Welaka, FL 32193
ph: 904 347-3763
Skip