Model: Small cruiser.
Nothing to hide: The builder encourages buyers to come to his shop and watch the boats being built.
Pricing: $128,500 with the 110-hp Yanmar, $102,500 with the Honda 135 and $135,000 with the 130-hp Volvo Penta I/O. ... read more

Albury Brothers 23

Model: A bare-bones center console.
Rent to own: Many owners were so impressed with an Albury Brothers boat while renting one in the Bahamas, they purchased one for themselves.
Pricing: $62,995 with a Suzuki 225; the forward-seating model is $65,995 with the same engine. ...read more

Ranger R-25SC

Model: A trailerable tug.
Boat for all seasons: Not only does this pilothouse boat lengthen the season in colder climates like the Pacific Northwest and the Northeast, it also gives Florida boaters some relief from the sun and heat.
Pricing: $129,937 with the 150-hp Yanmar. ...read more

NorseBoat

Models: range from a 12-foot tender to a 21-foot cabin model.
No small voyage: Two Royal Marines sailed, rowed and dragged a NorseBoat 1,400 miles through the Northwest Passage in 2009.
Pricing: Ranges from $13,000 for a basic NorseBoat 12.5 to $33,500 for the wooden 21-footer. Kit boats range from $6,500 to $14,000. ... read more

RS Sailing

Models: Include the RS Terra, RS Q’Ba, RS Feva and RS Vision daysailer, plus high-performance fiberglass dinghies, skiffs and keelboats.
School spirit: Sailing schools can get special status as “RS Academies” if they use and promote RS boats to turn students into future buyers.
Pricing: Retail prices start at $2,800 for the RS Terra and go up to $9,000 for the RS Vision. ... read more

Weta

Model: 14.5-foot trailerable trimaran
Word of mouth: The company taps into the enthusiasm of existing owners as a volunteer sales force, compensating them with accessories for their boats.
Pricing: $12,200, including beach dolly and trailer. ... read more

Whitehall Rowing & Sail

Models: Classic lines in models from 9 to 17 feet.
Love at first sight: Company co-founder Harold Aune gave up building luxury yachts and sailboards after falling in love with classic small boats when a customer showed him a traditional Whitehall tender.
Pricing: Ranges from $7,000 for the basic Tango 14 single-slide to $44,000 for a top-of-the-line 17-foot Classic Expedition fiberglass row/sail model. ... read more