Jensen Marine (USA)

Jensen Marine Corporation, later rebranded as Cal Yachts (or simply Cal Boats), was a pioneering American manufacturer of fiberglass sailboats, instrumental in popularizing performance-oriented, mass-produced recreational yachts during the mid-20th-century boating boom. Founded in 1957 by Jack Jensen in Costa Mesa, California, the company specialized in lightweight racer-cruisers designed primarily by naval architect C. William "Bill" Lapworth, featuring innovative fin keels, spade rudders, and fractional rigs that set new standards for speed and handling. Over its nearly three-decade run, Jensen Marine/Cal produced over 18,000 boats across more than 50 models, from trailerable 20-foot one-design racers to 46-foot blue water cruisers. Known for affordable quality and racing success—particularly the iconic Cal 40—the brand transformed fiberglass from a novelty material into a mainstay of yachting. While production ended in the late 1980s, Cal boats remain favorites among racers and cruisers for their durability, agility, and value.