History

Our Story so Far...

G Smyth boats began in 2009, located originally in Old Town, Annalong, the business relocated to Kilkeel Harbour in 2013 after building a new bespoke building for its growing business - both building fishing boats and offering a repair service to the local and visiting fleet.

In 2009 G Smyth Boats employed 5 people and now in 2025 it employs 15 fulltime staff.

In the years since being established Gerry Smyth has chosen to invest in the development of newly designed fishing vessels. In 2017 the vision to design a 12m Catamaran became a reality and has become a leading vessel for under 15m fisherman.

2009

In 2009, earlier boats built by the company are:

GM28 - Be Ready. Owner Stephen McCullough.
GM28 - Clarin. Owner Arnold McCullough.
GM28 - Priscilla Jean. Owner Geoffrey Chambers.
GM28 - Constellation. Owner Robbie Wallis.

2010

In 2010, G Smyth Boats expanded by producing a new mould for the company, the GM7M, and produced it's first hull from the mould this year. Other boats built by G Smyth Boats in 2010 include:

Renegade - Caitlin Anne. Owner Gerry Smyth.
Renegade - Hypnos. Owner Jason Parker.
Renegade - The Brothers. Owner Damian Smyth.
Renegade - Morning Star. Owner Richard Gordon.
Renegade - Hull. Owner Andrew Cowden.
Tosher 21 - Tosher. Owner Tom Marks.
Tosher 21 - Frances Rose. Owner Robert Tomkins.
GM7M - Hull. Owner Sean O'Dougan.

2011

2011 was a busy year for G Smyth Boats. In June 2011, G Smyth Boats had the task of refitting Brian Cunningham’s 10 metre Catamaran, Rian John which capsized in Carlingford Lough. The company also carried out a refit on the Boy Joseph, a 9 metre wooden vessel owned by Kevin and Kieran Trainor. Other boats built by G Smyth Boats this year include:

GM7M - Eastern Star. Owner Alan Jones.
GM7M - Lonestar. Owner Eddie MacFarlane.

2012

In 2012, some boats produced by G Smyth Boats are:

GM7M - Caspian. Owner Charlie MacKay.
GM7M - Girl Tracy. Owner Freddy Aesaret.
GM7M - Francine. Owner Charles Beukels.
GM7M - Sean Og. Owner Eoin Duff.
Tosher 21 - Hull. Owner Davy Robertson.

2013

in 2013, G Smyth Boats moved to the company's newly built premises at Kilkeel Harbour. We also built the new Maxus 9.8m mould and produced 2 vessels from it:

Maxus 9.8m - Helen Mary. Owner Phillip Cavanagh.
Maxus 9.8m - Still Game. Owner R. Morgan.

2014

2014 was the year G Smyth Boats produced the Maxus 8.3 mould. Also constructed this year were:

GM7M - Denise. Owner W Ritchie.
Maxus 8.3m - Hull. Owner Walsh.
Maxus 8.3m - Hull. Owner Foley.
GM7M - Kayleigh Ann. Owner Charlie MacKay.

2015

This year G Smyth Boats fitted out B46 Alsvior for owner Ronnie Norquoy.

2016

This year G Smyth Boats were busy with fitouts.

G12 - Voyager. Owner Paul Ennis.
G10 - Deomah. Owner Thomas Roche.
SF33 - Stella Maris. Owner M Walsh.
G12 - Kraken. Owner L Grieve.

2021

2022

This is the start of the Maxus Fast Cat Plug.

weekly updates of the build progress will be added to here and our Facebook page.

2024

The year of the Maxus 9.2m Fast Catamaran

Caitlin Anne was the prototype, with Selva engines, for the new model catamaran and the company still uses her for speed/fuel comparisons
Keila K121 was the first in board version of the Maxus 9m catamaran

Corinthian, our first committee boat for Dublin Bay Sailing Club

Skipjack, our first passenger boat for the Seamanship Centre in Killbegs

Meet the GSB Team

Gerald Smyth

Proprietor

Joel Chambers

Foreman

Ceara Russell

Office

Graham Ochiltree

Welder

Tom Higgins

Joiner

Jamie Parke

Boat Builder

JF Smyth

Laminator

Donal Bradley

Boat Builder

Mateusz Dorozala

Laminator

Stephen Heslip

Boat Builder

Caitlin Smyth

Office

Eoghan Smyth

Apprentice Joiner

Gerry McConkey

Boat Builder

Caolum Murphy

Laminator

Serhii Domanskyi

Laminator

Roman Domanskyi

laminator

The Boss

Joel has been part of the company since he left school in 2011. Joel is a great asset to the company in both his skills as a boat builder and his ability to lead the team.

Joined in 2011. Ceara is responsible for the day to day running of the company. Liaising with customers, finalising details of builds.

Graham , a very talented welder and has been part of the G Smyth Boats team from the beginning. Graham creates rails, hand rails, steps and masts for each vessel.

Tom is an exceptional Joiner, working with the other joiners to create bespoke wheelhouse layouts and finishes.

Jamie has been with G Smyth Boats since leaving school. He is a part of Richard's team, an works along side Jonnie to complete fish rooms, engine rooms etc

Skilled laminator laying up our hulls, wheelhouses, hatches, doors with the other members of the laminating team

Caitlin joined G Smyth Boats in 2021 after studying Business and accounts at SRC, Newry.

Eoghan started his apprenticeship in 2021, attending college one day a week as well as working alongside Tom learning the skills to fit out the boat's wheelhouse, galley and accommodation