The Wooden Boat Shop, Inc. is owned and founded by Jack McCarthy in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was incorporated in 1979 and the origin of the name started over lunch with a friend.

Jack’s father (John) was in the hardwood floor business for 43 years and taught his son all about finishes and how preparation was the key to a successful well finished project.

Jack has worked on wood boats with his father and in his teenage years for himself. While going to the University of Cincinnati. He co-oped at a pattern & foundry company in Cincinnati and gained journeyman status as a wood and metal pattern maker. He also became the outside sales person for the company. During this time, he worked evenings and weekends taking care of his wood boat customers.

By 1979, he incorporated and named the business The Wooden Boat Shop, Inc. The business grew steadily over the years and now has a nation wide clientele.

In 1983, Jack started a mail order business to help “do it yourself” restorers to enable them to locate the correct merchandise for their project and “free” technical advice to get the project completed correctly. The shop stocks every item a person could possibly need to restore his/her own personal watercraft. Every type of paint & varnish from all major companies such as Pettit, Interlux, Z-Spar, Sikkens and Epifanes are on the shelves. The shop also stocks all types of epoxies from West System, Smith’s and MAS. All grits of sandpaper from Norton and all products from 3M ~ such as 5200 sealant are always available. The shop has water pumps from Sherwood, Johnson and Jabsco with impellers for just about every make and model of inboard and I/O engines.

The shop carries solid mahogany and white oak marine plywood. Sandpaper in all grits and engine parts for Greymarine, Hercules, Chevrolet, Ford & Chrysler marine engines are also readily available. Whatever you may need, Jack has or can obtain through a telephone call.

From vintage Chris Crafts from the twenties and thirties to outboards from the 50's and 60's to modern replica boats from the 80's and 90's and beyond, Jack and his men restore, service, and repair every type and kind of boat... and love every minute of it!