Matthew Smith, Naval Architect

Background

I have been an avid boater since I was old enough to swim. My first jobs in high school were at boatyards on the South Shore in Massachusetts. I have combined my hands on experience with my degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the University of Michigan to provide quality yacht designs and unique solutions to the marine environment.

My first job as a naval architect was for Bob Derecktor at Derecktor Shipyard in Rhode Island. There I gained invaluable experience working with steel and aluminum in a shipyard environment. I then worked for Boston Whaler in its Commercial Products Division where we built custom heavy duty Whalers for the Military, US Coast Guard, police and fire departments. It is at Boston Whaler that I learned about production boatbuilding and how to design a commercial vessel that could withstand the rigors of everyday use in extreme conditions.

After Boston Whaler, I worked at The Ted Hood Design Group designing some of the later line of Little Harbor sailing yachts and Whisperjet power boats as well as large custom sailing yachts. During this time, I had the pleasure of working directly with both Ted Hood and Ted Fontaine first at The Ted Hood Design Group and then at The Fontaine Design Group.

After leaving The Fontaine Design Group, I worked for Hinckley Yacht Services in Portsmouth, RI providing management and engineering support for Hinckley's service work at the yard.