Ohio Valley Outdoors Magazine

Hoplite Boats

Local boat manufacturer hitting target market

By Larry Claypool, OVO Editor

Working from the concept that the region needed a better designed, lightweight, but sturdy fishing boat, John Thiebaud of Butler County, Pa. launched Hoplite Boats three years ago to fill the void for smaller watercrafts. The company engineered three different 16-foot fiberglass boats that feature a unique shallow draft vessel — perfect for maneuvering on inland lakes that are characteristic in this region.

It’s a perfect vessel for tournament and casual fisherman. Because it’s made locally, the price is right too ($4,500-$5,500).
Because of its design the Hoplite’s offer fisherman greater stability, more interior room, easier maneuverability, larger casting platforms, more bulk storage and boat speed. How’s all of that achieved? Simple, says Thiebaud.

“The boat has more of a flat bottom in the back so it will get up on plane, get up to speed quicker, has multi-step V ribs to control tipping and has the V front that makes a smoother ride. You need storage so we designed larger bulk storage areas and bigger front casting platform that’s perfect for fisherman,” said Thiebaud recently from the small plant in Harmony, Pa. (About 30 miles east from Ohio and 30 miles north of Pittsburgh.)
Being a regional boat manufacturer (actually the only one in Pennsylvania), Thiebaud wanted to build a boat that fit the needs of fisherman in the region. His concept was simple. “There’s a real call for limited horsepower boats with all of the limited horsepower lakes in Ohio and Pennsylvania. With a lightweight boat you can get on plane with a 10hp motor. And we didn’t want to give up storage (space). We’ve incorporated that (increased storage) in our boats,” said Thiebaud.

The targeted market for Hoplite became more focused when Thiebaud discovered that Ohio was a good fit for his product because many quality lakes in the Buckeye State enforce a 10hp motor limit. “Ohio is close (to the plant) and I didn’t know when we started this but many of the lakes over there are restricted. With a 10hp (motor), that makes this boat perfect,” said Thiebaud.

One key selling point for the Hoplite line is the ability to customize each boat. Customers can visit the plant to inspect different models and options available. “We can do some different things to fit customer needs. The way we build the boats there’s still a stage when we can do what people want,” said Thiebaud. “We offer local service. You can buy this boat and come into (the plant) and see who’s making your boat.”
Because customers buy direct from the manufacturer, Thiebaud said it offers considerable savings to customers. “You’re buying direct, so there’s no shipping charge and no dealer prep charge. You save $900-$1000 there,” said the owner.

Hoplite Boats are much stronger than most fiberglass boats, according to Thiebaud. “Our fiberglass is all hand lay-up (procedure). It makes a stronger fiberglass and is more consistent. The process takes a little more time, but it’s much better,” said Thiebaud.
Because the boats are built from scratch on site (except some hardware and accessories), the vessels are constructed in stages by seven full-time employees. During peak times, spring and summer, the plant employs another 4-5 part-time workers.

Not all of the work at the plant is dedicated to making boats though. Hoplite’s parent company, Nautical Design, Inc. (also owned by Thiebaud), has supplied upscale specialty marine and industrial fabrications for 23 years. That company makes custom fighting, marlin and helm chairs, leaning posts, tables and consoles for larger fishing boats. Those products feature high-grade teak wood and 316 grade stainless steel.
Nautical Design ships boating products all over the world and supplies two major boat manufacturers in the U.S, Ocean Yachts (New Jersey) and Fountain Powerboats (North Carolina).

Thiebaud said the success of 16-foot boats at Hoplite has afforded the company to work on two new bigger boats that will target another market. During 2008 the company will launch 18-foot and 22-foot models with a deep-V hull. “The bigger boats are for the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay waters. They both meet that market,” said Thiebaud.
Hoplite facts:
*Three current models include: Tournament Pro 16, Stealth 16 and Predator 16
• Vessel interiors include carpet or textured gel coating
• Boat capacity is four persons
• Complete package available including boat, trailer, motor, trolling motor
• Hoplite name and company logo comes from Greek hoplite warriors “They were well armored when they went into battle,” said Thiebaud.
• Contact Hoplite at 724-368-9400 or nauticaldesigninc.com