Capital Yachts

Capital Yachts Corp., founded in 1970 by Jon and Ralph Brown in Harbor City, California, emerged as a prolific builder of affordable, trailerable fiberglass sailboats during the 1970s and 1980s oil-crisis era, producing over 3,000 hulls across models like the Gulf 27/29, Newport 27/30, and Neptune 24 before ceasing operations in 1988 amid shifting market demands and financial pressures. Specializing in value-oriented cruisers with functional layouts, internal ballast, and modest performance suited to coastal sailors and first-time buyers, the company leveraged hand-laid construction and in-house design (often adapting proven hulls) to keep costs low—earning a loyal following despite occasional quality critiques around deck hardware and core materials. Iconic for its pilothouse Gulf series tailored to Pacific Northwest conditions, Capital filled a niche between premium brands like Catalina and budget imports, with surviving boats still actively sailed and restored today through owner associations and aftermarket support.