Sovereign Yacht Co.

Overview of Sovereign Yacht Co., Inc.
Sovereign Yacht Co., Inc. was a Florida-based sailboat manufacturer specializing in affordable, trailerable fiberglass daysailers and pocket cruisers during the late 1970s and 1980s boom in small-boat building. Founded in 1978 by Dan W. (Doug) Steeg in Largo (near St. Petersburg), the company emerged from a split with Southern Sails, Inc., where Steeg and partners acquired modified molds from the defunct S2 Yachts' 7.0 model to launch their flagship Sovereign 7.0—a 23-foot gaff-rigged sloop with pop-top cabin. Under production manager Rob Lawnsby (a veteran from Bayliner), they emphasized simple, seaworthy designs by the "Sovereign Design Group" (likely in-house or freelance), producing around 600 boats over a decade. Known for models like the Sovereign 5.0 (an 18-foot scaled-down version) and 17/18 variants, these boats featured beamy hulls, centerboard keels, and outboard power for easy trailering and family use in coastal waters. The company filed for bankruptcy in 1988 amid financial strains, but its legacy endures through a dedicated owner community and well-preserved examples valued for their charm and durability.