European Marine Industries

European Marine Industries (EMI) was a small, innovative American boatbuilding company based in Costa Mesa, California, active during the 1970s fiberglass and rotomolding boom. Founded amid Southern California's "Fiberglass Triangle" (home to Ericson and Islander Yachts), EMI specialized in affordable, durable production sailboats using emerging rotomolded polyethylene technology—essentially adapting industrial plastic molding for buoyant, unbreakable hulls. The company focused on trailerable daysailers for families and beginners, emphasizing stability, unsinkability, and low-cost maintenance to compete with imports and wooden designs. EMI produced over 2,000–3,000 units before ceasing operations in the early 1980s, likely due to economic pressures (oil crisis, rising resin costs) and competition from larger firms.