New and Used Lobster Boats for Sale

Lobster boats originate from the working fishing boats of Maine, but today offer a modern take on the classic style, with plenty of comforts and even luxury. Used lobster boats range from classic and compact wooden versions to contemporary lobster yachts. Search for new and used lobster boats for sale in your area and by budget, length or features.

Main Characteristics of Lobster Boats

Lobster boats originate from the New England region of the United States, where they were designed and well-suited to fish for the highly sought-after cold-water lobsters throughout the region but especially in Maine. While these working boats still ply the waters there in large numbers, their robustness and practicality has been adopted by the recreational boating industry, and today they are popular day cruisers and yachts.

Traditionally, lobster boats have a semi-displacement hull with a high, flared bow, and a central enclosed pilothouse, all of which allows them to tackle rough seas. Their iconic shape makes them easily recognizable, and the style lends itself well to more recreational pursuits such as day cruising and fishing. The open aft deck used for hauling lobster pots is often replaced with larger pilothouses on recreational models and is ideal for other activities such as fishing, sun lounging, or on-deck dining.

Lobster boats tend to be 22 to 40 feet in length, although there are new models hitting the market up to 75 feet. They can have outboard engines, inboard gasoline engines, or inboard diesel engines, as well as interiors that range from a small cabin to spacious living spaces. While traditionally made of wood, modern lobster boats are usually manufactured from fiberglass, although there are still brands honoring the heritage and creating classic wooden vessels.

Types of Lobster Boats

Lobster Yachts

This is often the term used to describe the recreational lobster-style boats that have been popular for decades (“lobster light” is another term commonly used). In total contrast to the traditional working lobster boats, they will have an emphasis on comfort and luxury, with elegant finishings, beautiful upholstery, and the latest in technology. The addition of features such as swim platforms, fishing accessories, and even galleys and heads makes them suitable for day cruising or overnight adventures. While on examination they don't much resemble the original working lobster boats, they are characterized by the upturned bow and iconic silhouette.

Converted Lobster Boats

It's possible to find used working lobster boats on the market that have had total refits to make them suitable for more recreational uses. These project boats are less common than purpose-built lobster yachts, but they bring several benefits. Honoring the original shape and design of a classic lobster boat is distinctive and charming, while the modern modifications allow for comfort and luxury.

Large Lobster Boats

Traditionally, both working and recreational lobster boats are around 22 to 40 feet in length. However, the emergence of much larger lobster yachts has seen a new era for this much-loved style of boat. Taking inspiration from the traditional shape, these superyacht-style vessels are the epitome of luxury, with cabins and galleys, sunpads and tender garages, and the latest in electronics.

Best Lobster Boat Brands

Maine is the historic heart of lobster boat building, and many of the brands focusing on the recreational market are still based there such as The Atlantic Boat Company. whose range of working and pleasure boats honors the traditional construction. Northern Bay Boats builds a range of 26- to 48-foot lobster boats that are rugged yet perfectly suited to family and cruising use, while down in Florida, Atlas Boatworks offers a line-up of compact (23- to 25-foot) and versatile lobster boats.

More contemporary styles of lobster boats are being made by brands such as True North, whose modern, sleek, and luxurious boats retain the original shape yet are certainly within the yacht category. So too are the huge lobster boats being built by European-based Solaris, who put 50 years of experience into their wooden luxury yachts which are up to 60 feet in length. Even larger are Mochi Craft's small superyachts featuring teak decks, plush interiors, lounges and dining rooms, and en suite cabins.

Why Choose a Lobster Boat?

A recreational lobster boat takes the heritage and tradition of the classic Maine working lobster boats with their elegant silhouette and flared bow, and offers a more contemporary pleasure use. They are hardy and capable in choppy waters, yet true head-turners that serve as elegant day cruisers or comfortable and luxurious motor yachts.