Tanzer Industries

Tanzer Industries Ltd., founded in 1965 by German-born engineer Johann (Johnny) Tanzer in Dorion, Quebec (near Montreal), emerged as one of Canada's most prolific fiberglass sailboat manufacturers during the 1960s–1980s golden age of production yachting, churning out over 3,000 hulls renowned for their robust construction, value-driven designs, and spirited performance tailored to Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River sailors. Relocating from a modest garage operation to a sprawling 50,000-square-foot facility by 1970, the company specialized in hand-laid fiberglass with balsa-cored decks and solid laminate hulls, emphasizing trailerable racers and pocket cruisers under 30 feet that balanced affordability (often $5,000–$15,000 new) with offshore capability; Tanzer's close collaboration with naval architects like George H. Hazen yielded icons such as the Tanzer 22 (1967–1986, ~600 built: 22'6" LOA, 7'9" beam, 1'3" board-up draft, 2,400 lbs. displacement, 280 sq ft sail area for nimble club racing at 6–7 knots reaching); the zippy Tanzer 16 (1969–1979, ~300 units: 16' LOA daysailer with planning hull, 110 sq ft rig, and self-bailing cockpit for solo instruction); the versatile Tanzer 28 (1978–1985, ~200 built: 28' LOA fin-keel cruiser with 6' headroom, U-galley, and two cabins sleeping six, displacing 8,400 lbs. for coastal hops); and the compact Tanzer 7.5 (1973–1980, ~200 hulls: 24'6" LOA with 1,800 lbs. displacement and fractional rig for easy trailering). At its 1970s zenith, Tanzer employed 150 workers and exported widely to the U.S., fostering class associations and regattas that burnished its reputation for durable, low-maintenance boats with minimal gelcoat issues and forgiving helms—though some early models suffered from thin stringers or deck delamination. Economic turbulence, including the 1980s recession and a devastating 1985 plant fire, precipitated bankruptcy in 1986, with assets liquidated.