A Brief History of
Yacht Constructors, Inc., Cascade Yachts, Inc., and Cascade Yacht Builders, LLC
ð In 1954, Tom Green, Merle Starr, Wade Cornwell, Jarvis Gould and Henry
Morton decided to use a new material called fiberglass to build large
sailboat hulls. To prove the strength of this composite material a sample
was laid-up and tested for strength. The final test was done by shooting
bullets from different fire arms at it from a 10 foot range. This “bullet
proof” sample is still with us.
ð They started the company by the name of Yacht Constructors and they
decided to build the 34‘ sloop “Vigilant” designed by Frederick Geiger of
Yacht Sales & Service in Philadelphia, PA.
ð In 1955, a contract was drawn up to share hours and labor to build five
boats. A wooden plug was made according to the “Vigilant” design, and a
fiberglass mold was completed by early September. Hull No. 1 was laid up
with steel bars in the keel area, and the interior work progressed. The
group selected “CHINOOK” as the name of the class for this new type of hull.
ð In 1956, Hull No. 1 was launched on the 21st of April. All five members of
the group sailed her during that summer, and at the same time, work
progressed on Hull No. 2 and No. 3. Hull No. 2 was launched on November 3rd
and during the launch was dropped about 15 feet into the water by Westerlund,
but suffered no damage, proving the strength of the hull material and
construction process.
ð 1957 saw the launch of Hulls No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5. By this time, the
yachting community was beginning to take notice. The new boats had won many
races, and Larry Barber of the Oregonian sent an article and pictures to
“Yachting” magazine that came out as a three page spread, bringing a lot of
inquiries. The first boat sold was Hull No. 6, to Dr. Don Laird. At this
time, Jarvis Gould and Henry Morton dropped out of the group, but Tom Green,
Merle Starr and Wade Cornwell continued, working evenings and weekends.
ð In 1958, with the sale of Hulls No. 7, 8, and 9, it was time to expand. Up
to this time, the group had rented space in a wooden warehouse on NE 47th,
near the airport. On July 1st, a metal building at 7110 NE 42nd Ave. was
rented and two men were hired to accelerate the work.
ð As a result of this expansion and increase in manpower, the group formed
and incorporated “Yacht Constructors, Inc.” in 1960 as Hull No. 15 was
completed and sold.
ð In 1961, the members of “Yacht Constructors, Inc.” felt that a new design
would enhance the performance of high-strength fiberglass hulls, and Robert
A. Smith of Portland, formerly of Sparkman & Stephens, designed the “CASCADE
29” hull. Mr. Smith was highly experienced, also having designed tugs and
commercial vessels, and he did survey work on those types of boats.
ð With the enterprise growing stronger, Wade Cornwell left Union Carbide in
1963 and began working full-time at Yacht Constructors, Inc. By the end of
1963, Yacht Constructors, Inc. had produced 48 of the CASCADE 29’s and 34 of
the CHINOOK 34’s.
ð In 1964, Yacht Constructors, Inc. had their own building built at 7030 NE
42nd Ave. in Portland. The design for a CASCADE 42 was completed by Robert
Smith, and a mold was made. The hull for the first CASCADE 42 was laid up in
it, and moved into the new building in December. Dr. Don Laird bought
CASCADE 42 Hull No. 1.
ð 1967 saw a new design by Mr. Smith and the mold for the CASCADE 36 was
completed. The first hull of that series was sold to Mike Godsil.
ð By now, the time-and-race-tested construction process was well-known
throughout the sailing world. From a Yacht Constructors, Inc. brochure:
“Cascade cruisers or racers can always be identified by our hand lay-up
method of construction in the hull. We use woven roving and cloths, lay each
piece in and wet it out with resin, then hand squeegee excess resin to keep
the content low. Our resin content in the finished hull is approximately
50%, as compared to nearly 70% resin found in many of the hulls made today
with mat (chopped fibers) and chopper guns. The use of mat and chopper guns,
while greatly reducing construction costs, have not improved the quality of
hulls. Compared with woven fiberglass, these methods use a large amount of
resin which adds weight and bulk and makes the laminate more brittle.”
ð Time has proven both the process and design. Both are legendary. The
bullet proof sample is still in the office since 1954. Many Cascades won
important races during the past and several have made circumnavigations.
ð In 1978, Mr. Smith designed the CASCADE 27, and he received Hull No. 1 of
that series.
ð Yacht Constructors, Inc. continued to prosper, and in 1987, Merle Starr
died, leaving the company in the hands of Wade Cornwell and Tom Green.
ð A change was made to the CASCADE 42 mold, pushing out the sides to widen
the beam from 11’ 2” to 12’, and a section was added to the top of the mold
to raise the sides 12 to 14 inches. The letters HS were appended to the
name, and ever since all 42 foot hulls have been designated CASCADE 42 HS.
ð In 1989, Hans and Irene Geerling bought the assets of Yacht Constructors,
Inc. and changed the name to Cascade Yachts, Inc. There were so many
Cascade yachts in service by now that a few were showing up on the used boat
market, and Cascade Yachts, Inc began to serve as brokers in the
resale of used boats. In addition, purchasers of new and previously-owned
Cascade hulls and boats could now rent spaces in the boatyard and finish or
re-finish their boats.
ð In 1990 Cascade Yachts took over several molds from Heritage Boats of Hood
River, OR. The Benford 39, now the Cascade Classic 39, a full keel boat,
drew interest and several were built in the following years. In addition the
Mini-Tug 20 (Benford 20) was built in several versions, including the
lengthened version named the 24’ Harbor Master.
ð During the 1990 decade a new boat slowly emerged: the 36’ Trawler. This
full displacement trawler features two keels with an engine in each of them.
The low power diesel engines ensure low cost of operation and the safety of
dual engines. The first one built was delivered as a hull and deck assembly
in 1999 and the second one in mid 2000.
ð In 1998 Tom Green passed away. Wade Cornwell, still very active, helps out
in the office.
ð In 1999 a new line of boats was introduced, which resulted in the building
of the Nor'easter 26. Now hulls and decks can be bought in Main and finished
to complete boats in Portland, Oregon. The first one to completed in 2001
just in time for the Portland boat show.
ð In 2003, a C39 Pilothouse was completed and saw its first daylight. This
one will be launched in early Spring.
ð Now in 2003, Cascade Yachts, Inc is a growing company. Some of our
employees are kept very busy with the fabrication of airplane parts for one
of the companies in the Portland Area. In addition to building new boats, we
also do rigging, boat repair, and provide service in our boat yard. Also,
our company became dealers for many manufactures for marine accessories such
as Schaefer, Harken, Eskpar, Profurl, Banks Sails, Lewmar, Raritan and many
others. Engine brands to name: Yanmar, Vetus and Beta.
ð Our website has been around for some years and our e-mail address is
info@cascadeyachts.com.
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