The Sheaffer Difference

Sheaffer Marine, Sheaffer Boats, and the Boat Doctor…have faithfully served the Tampa Bay Area for decades. We do not want to be seen as just another boat business, but rather a place for discerning boaters to find the care, knowledge and quality they want. We not only build the greatest sportfish boat in its class, but also provide a full-service shop for all maintenance and repair needs. We understand boaters and boating.

Sheaffer Marine: Your One-Stop Shop for New Custom Boat Sales or Reliable, Quality Boat Repair Serve.

Located in the center of the Tampa Bay area near the stadium, Sheaffer Marine stands out as a leader in custom boat sales, quality new boat craftsmanship and top-notch repair work. From designing custom boats with a multitude of options to making major structural repairs, Sheaffer Marine is ready to get you (back) on the water. With two renowned marine brands under its umbrella—Sheaffer Boats and The Boat Doctor®— we combine boat design experience, material innovation, and quality service work with a repair legacy tied to Tampa Bay’s rich boating history.

A Shop Built on Excellence

Founded in 1967 as Johnson Boat Repair, our repair shop became widely known for quality repairs in the area and even drew the attention of a national magazine, which dubbed our operation “The Boat Doctor”. The name stuck and it now stands as one of the oldest boat repair facilities in Tampa Bay. Ben Sheaffer worked for The Boat Doctor® throughout his high school years, learning fiberglass repair and painting techniques. Raised around boats and the marine industry, he knew he wanted to own the shop one day. If you’re looking for the best new boats for sale tampa has to offer, check out Sheaffer Boats. 

Throughout his youth, Ben worked weekends at marinas and boat yards, learning boat handling and the ways of the water. During summer breaks, Sheaffer worked ocean going tugboats in the Gulf, receiving his seaman’s papers at only 15. And, when he wasn’t working, he was fishing and diving, earning his PADI Divemasters certificate. In his early twenties, he received his USCG 100-ton captain’s license, went to navigation school in Norfolk, Va., and obtained his USCG Mate’s Unlimited/any waters license. Later, he owned a drafting and design company in St. Petersburg, Florida and honed his boat design skills.  Like his father, Ben was drawn to the sea and joined the Merchant Marine. He sailed aboard super tankers, transporting oil from the farthest reaches of the globe. But he never forgot the Boat Doctor®. 

In 1989, he returned to Tampa and bought the business he loved. The following year, his father, Ben Jr., a retired Coast Guard captain, marine consultant and engineer, with a USCG Masters Unlimited license, joined Sheaffer Marine, bringing a wealth of experience to help his son grow the business. Ben’s father had spent a second career in ship engineering, construction and repair, building several oil tankers and specialty ships and later was hired as a consultant by Exxon’s president during the Exxon Valdez salvage operation to raise the ship off Bligh Reef and then repair it in San Diego, California. He also built and collected antique mahogany speedboats. Needless to say, there was a tremendous amount of boating knowledge between the two of them and they talked often of building the boat that eventually became the Sheaffer Boat. 

You can keep looking for the best new boats for sale Tampa has to offer, but Sheaffer Boats is the choice. 

Under the leadership of Ben Sheaffer III, the company evolved into Sheaffer Marine, blending its repair expertise with cutting-edge custom boat manufacturing. Ben’s lifelong passion for boating and commitment to quality have made Sheaffer Marine one of Tampa Bay’s oldest and most respected marine facilities.

The Hull Story

Want the “hull” story behind the Sheaffer 240-V, our flagship hull? First, it’s built for those who know the difference. What we mean by that is that we put so many touches on our boats that might not seem like much as first glance, but that make a world of difference when you are out on the water. From pure aesthetics to functional daily use, we have never left any stone unturned in our quest to build a boat for the discerning boater.

Sheaffer Marine’s story began simply enough by rebuilding and restoring older (1960s and 70s) open center console flat back boats for our customers. During this process, owner and designer, Ben Sheaffer and his team of technicians learned a lot about center-console hulls. Through their work with customers, they learned what people liked and what they didn’t. This gave Ben the insight he needed to begin visualizing his first custom hull.

In the late 1960s, the largest outboards were 70 and 90hp. Back then, engine horsepower was rated at the fly wheel versus the prop, making them far less powerful than today’s engines. To get the boat on plane faster, it was necessary to build a flatter bottom giving the boat more lift. Since boats did not go as fast, they did not slide like they do with today’s larger, faster engines. Other modern changes were bigger bait wells, engine brackets and towers that altered the whole dynamic of a boat.

Repairing and rebuilding these old boats for several years, our team got to know the owners and became friends with several loyal, long-term customers who asked us to build a better Flat Back (FB).

Ben Sheaffer was convinced opinions on the flat back might change if customers could compare the flat back to a hull with a little V. Unfortunately, we didn’t have a V hull to provide a comparison to the flat back and our customers insisted on sticking with the Flat Back. And so, the Sheaffer 239FB was born.

The customers we built the 239FB for still enjoy the feel that the Flat Back gives them for shallow draft and stability. And we always want our customers to walk away happy. But while we know the Sheaffer 239FB was a great boat, Ben was still committed to examining a V hull option for his customers. Ben began working with a naval architect on some problems he felt existed with the FB with the ultimate goal of keeping a shallow draft and stability. And for anyone that knows Ben, when he sets out to solve a problem, he does not quit.

In 2001, Ben set out to build his 239V hull design. He wanted to show the pros and cons of varying hull designs including the 239FB hull.

After completion of the 239V, Ben unveiled it to the customers he had with deposits on the 239FB and every customer changed their order to V hull.  The 239FB was undoubtedly a great boat, but the 239V was built specifically to improve upon the drawbacks of the FB while keeping all of the benefits. This is what we learned…

PROS

• Same stability.
• Faster hull.
• Dryer, smoother ride.
• More displacement.
• 30% more fuel capacity.
• More room for better pump systems.
• More storage below deck.
• Eliminated forward bilge pump (flatbacks have a tendency to draw more forward because the hull is lower in the bow area which holds water).
• Larger 60”x15”x15” insolated forward fish box (flatbacks needed access to the forward bilge pump).
• Additional compartment in the forward floor (flatback needed space for fuel tank placement).
• Better self-baling.
• The hull will not slide when turning the boat hard over.

CONS

• You lose 3” of draft.
• The 240V is very similar to 239V. Same 24ft design but with added features and finer finishing details throughout the boat for an elegant, classic look.

If you are looking for a custom sportfish boat or a knowledgeable repair shop for your current boat, Sheaffer Marine is the known throughout the Tampa Bay areas as the place to go.

Your Next Boating and Fishing Adventure Begins at Sheaffer Marine

At Sheaffer Marine, boats are more than a hobby for us. We know they are a gateway to family memories, hours of fishing fun, and the exploration of your area’s beautiful waterways. Whether you’re reeling in the catch of a lifetime or enjoying a leisurely family cruise, Sheaffer Boats deliver the reliability, comfort, and performance you deserve.

Visit Sheaffer Marine today to explore our models, customize your dream boat, and discover why we are Tampa Bay’s first choice for new boat sales and boat repairs. Experience the Sheaffer Legacy for yourself.