History of Dream Boats

The Legacy of Sydney H. Young: A Life Shaped by Wooden Boats

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Building boats is more than a craft for Sydney H. Young—it’s a legacy deeply rooted in his family’s history. Syd’s father, Stanley C. Young, founded StanCraft Boats in 1933 in Lakeside, Montana, creating some of the most iconic designs in boating history. Among his revolutionary innovations was the 22′ Torpedo, introduced in 1944, which remains a timeless masterpiece revered by classic boat enthusiasts for its dramatic and elegant design.

Syd began his boat-building journey at the age of 14, learning under the careful guidance of his father and the skilled StanCraft crew. From 1968 to 2008, Syd and his wife, Juliette, carried forward Stanley’s vision, contributing their own remarkable designs to the boating world, including the 260 Norwester and the 19′ Veruna.

In 1981, the couple relocated the company to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where Syd began crafting new StanCraft boats on a smaller scale. His work extended to restoring classic vessels, including Chris-Crafts, Gar Woods, Rivas, Century boats, Hacker-Crafts, and StanCrafts. Syd and Juliette built a business renowned for its excellence in restoration, innovative designs, and unmatched craftsmanship. During the 1990s, Syd’s focus on redesigning boat bottoms transformed the performance of wooden boats, delivering smoother, more level rides that set new industry standards.

In 2008, Syd and Juliette passed the company to their daughter and son-in-law. Yet, Syd’s passion for boat design and building remained undiminished. Even in retirement, he continued restoring and creating boats independently. After more than five decades of designing, building, and refurbishing some of the most classic and groundbreaking boats, Syd turned his attention to his new venture: DreamBoats.

Every DreamBoat is meticulously crafted from the finest mahogany by a select team of experienced woodworkers and mechanics. This small, dedicated team is committed to producing unparalleled wooden boats, blending classic craftsmanship with modern innovation. Syd takes pride in having revitalized the wooden boat industry across North Idaho and the greater Northwest and is thrilled to introduce his latest designs to both new and loyal customers.

Over the past 35 years in Coeur d’Alene, Syd has created more than 40 custom designs. Despite the prospect of retirement, his drive to innovate remains unwavering. Today, Syd’s passion burns brighter than ever, and his advanced new DreamBoat designs are now available to the general boating public. These enhanced classics continue to set the standard for excellence, ensuring Syd’s legacy endures for generations to come.

DreamBoats Inc. (n.d.). Our history. Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://dreamboatsinc.com/our-history