Company History

Weldcraft has been the leader in building quality welded aluminum boats since 1968. That's 40 years of rugged, innovative designs for outdoor enthusiasts, families, and fishermen.

Heavy duty, welded aluminum jet boats are unique to the Pacific Northwest, usually associated with running whitewater rivers. Though our roots are in jet boats, Weldcraft has evolved to offer innovative outboard designs and stern drive models with broad appeal to families and fishermen enjoying rivers, lakes and coastal waters. By improving upon our traditional designs, we've increased the versatility beyond the "river rat" image.

Today, Weldcraft Marine Industries, Inc. manufactures and distributes through independent marine dealers a full line of boats from 17' to 26', from the handy 17' Angler SE outboard to the top-of-the-line 24' Select inboard jet and 260 Cuddy King with an extended cabin.

In September 2000, the owners of Weldcraft Marine Industries, Inc. and Duckworth Boat Works, Inc. combined their efforts with the creation of Renaissance Marine Group, Inc. ("RMG"). RMG now operates a combined manufacturing operation in Clarkston, Washington, producing both Weldcraft, Duckworth, and as of 2006, Columbia branded boats built to the specific designs and demands of each brand. Weldcraft, its dealers and customers benefit greatly from the combined buying power, production capabilities, and enhanced management teams offered by RMG.

A few of the talented RMG Team behind the design, manufacture and delivery of your new Weldcraft are featured below:

Larry Haws, Special Projects Manager
Using his degree in Business, Operations Management, Larry has been overseeing the production of every Weldcraft boat built since 1994. He previously owned and operated a print shop in Denver, Colorado for 5 years, and spent 4 ½ years sailing the South Pacific in his own sailboat. Larry is a Navy veteran, having spent 7 years on nuclear submarines as a mechanical operator.

Jerry Wooley, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Overseeing all aspects of our production processes since joining the Duckworth team in 1997, Jerry provides specialized engineering and manufacturing management skills to assist RMG to become a world class manufacturer. Jerry spent 12 years with Boeing Commercial Airplane Group in a variety of management positions, including responsibility for engineering, procurement, manufacturing, receiving, shipping, transportation and quality control. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Idaho and a Master of Engineering Management from Washington State University. Jerry is busy trying to make our boats fly!

Bruce Larson, Director of Administration & Finance
Bruce joined Duckworth in 1998 to assume responsibility for accounting, administration, human relations, and information technology. Bruce holds B.A. in Business Administration from Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA, and formerly practiced as a CPA. He also has acquired Novell's CNA, CNE, Master CNE and CIA Professional Designations and Microsoft MCSE and MCP+Internet Professional Designations. Bruce has served as Chief Financial/Information Officer for a regional advertising agency and as instructor at community colleges and continuing education courses in computer technology, software, and accounting related courses. His broad business, accounting and information technology experience (not to mention his gregarious personality) are being put to immediate use as RMG expands its dealer network, sales and production team.

Jim Moore, a member of the RMG Board of Directors and a shareholder of RMG
Jim acquired the assets of Weldcraft in September, 1997 with the creation of Weldcraft Marine Industries, Inc. He has more than 30 years experience in the marine industry, primarily with the Lund Division of Genmar Industries where he held positions of District Sales Manager, Vice President of Sales, and President. He left Lund in 1991 to relocate in the Pacific Northwest. Jim has successfully owned and operated a retail marine and recreational products business and has an excellent understanding of the issues facing the dealer, the manufacturer and the customer in the marine business. His background also includes leadership skills from two years of service in Vietnam with decorations for bravery and exceptional service as a front line special Army Intelligence Specialist. In his spare time, Jim is an avid outdoorsman and competes in regional and national walleye fishing tournaments.

Dan Larson is the principal owner of RMG and serves as President & Chief Executive Officer
Dan acquired the assets of Duckworth in February 1998 with the creation of Duckworth Boat Works, Inc. Dan is the former President and CEO of Kaiser Ventures, Inc., the publicly traded successor to Kaiser Steel Corporation. He joined Kaiser Steel Corporation in 1988 to help lead Kaiser out of its complex billion dollar Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization as a new resource development company pursuing projects in solid waste management, water resources and property redevelopment. Under his leadership Kaiser Ventures successfully completed projects such as the California Speedway partnership with Roger Penske, a unique long-term water development, complex environmental cleanups, public stock offerings, and numerous complex bankruptcy reorganization, litigation, and real estate matters. Dan previously served as legal and business advisor for a Denver based group of private businesses, including oil and gas exploration, Purgatory Ski Resort, ranches, real estate, venture capital, and Silver Oak Wine Cellars. After receiving a B.A. from Drake University and a law degree from Yale Law School, Dan practiced law in Denver, Colorado, emphasizing corporate finance and related transactions. An avid outdoorsman and fisherman, Dan was a leader on two American expeditions climbing Mount Everest. Dan is also the Managing Member of the Madison Valley Ranch, an ORVIS endorsed flyfishing lodge near Ennis, Montana. When he's not working on boat company business, look for Dan to be flyfishing the great rivers of the West.