Able Shipwrights Inc.

Able Shipwrights Inc. was a small, specialized American boatbuilding and repair company based in East Hampton, Connecticut, active primarily in the 1970s and 1980s. Founded by naval architect and builder Peter C. Lent (known for his work on classic wooden and fiberglass designs), the company focused on high-quality fiberglass sailboats, emphasizing craftsmanship, seaworthiness, and affordability for recreational sailors. At its peak, Able Shipwrights operated from a workshop at 6 North Main Street, East Hampton, CT 06424, producing limited runs of custom and semi-custom vessels. The firm is best known for the Able 20, a compact, trailerable daysailer/racer that blended traditional lines with modern construction, and for repair services on wooden and fiberglass hulls. Production was modest (likely under 50 units total), reflecting a boutique approach amid the fiberglass boom. Able Shipwrights ceased operations in the late 1980s, possibly due to market shifts toward larger production builders, but its legacy endures through surviving Able 20s in active fleets, particularly in the Northeast U.S. Lent later contributed to other designs before passing in the 1990s.