Coastal Vokey—Small Town Canadian Boats Turning Heads

The deep V hull is designed for performance and a smoother ride in rougher waters.

Dec 5, 2024

By Mathew Channer

Canadian boat builders Coastal Adventures are making a splash across North America with their Coastal Vokey line of vessels designed for deep lakes and offshore waters.

Based in King’s Point, Newfoundland, Coastal Adventures has spent the last two decades quietly expanding their Coastal Vokey series and gathering a dedicated following of east-coast boaters who appreciate a vessel that’s custom-built for rougher conditions.

A unique Canadian vessel, Coastal Vokey’s are deep-hull boats designed for deep lakes and offshore waters. Each boat is 100 per cent fiberglass, unsinkable, and renowned for providing a smooth, dry, ride at high speed, even in choppy conditions. Coastal Distribution Group Managing Director Kevin Boon (the main distributor for the Coastal Vokey line) says the boats are comfortable, hard-working, and easy to maintain.

“In Newfoundland they know how to build boats for the deep oceans and difficult conditions,” he said. “It’s a good working boat.”

The line includes open boats, dual consoles, center consoles, and a walk-around cuddy, offering something for everyone from first-time boat-owners to experienced offshore fisherman looking for a dependable work vessel. And if the build quality and durability weren’t enough to tempt Canadian boaters, the customer-friendly pricing certainly sweetens the deal. The Coastal Vokey 182 Walk Through starts at $39,450 CAD so it’s no surprise then that the Coastal Vokey line is quickly gaining popularity.

In partnership with Coastal Distributions, Coastal Adventures is now expanding their reach into Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and the US.  “It’s very rare that you see a Canadian manufactured boat built in a small town,” Boon said. “It’s creating jobs for Canadians, and dealers are excited about Canadian-built boats.”

Started in 2004

Coastal Adventures is a second-generation family business run by a boating family. The company began in 2004 building large tour boats, but quickly shifted direction in 2009 with the purchase of a small boat fiberglass mold. In 2020, Coastal Adventures co-owners Dustin and Nicole Welshman purchased the company from Nicole’s parents, along with Nicole’s sister and husband.

“I’ve lived in Kings Point all my life,” Nicole said. “And my parents are both from Newfoundland as well.”

“Vokey is our family surname, with the Company being founded by my father, Bryce Vokey. The Vokey name is well-known in Newfoundland for its strong ties to the boatbuilding tradition,” Nicole explains.

“Until 2009, there wasn’t anything like this built on the island,” he said. “Everything was more of a traditional round bottom boat. It caught on, and we’re still going.”

Coastal Adventures recently received National Marine Manufactures Association (NMMA) certification, signaling the start of an exciting new era for the company, and will soon be launching another new model.  The Coastal Vokey boats appeared at the Annapolis Powerboat Show in October and is planning to attend the 2025 Toronto Boat Show in January.

For more information visit https://coastaldistribution.ca/

 Matthew Channer is Canadian Boating Associate Editor