Newport Businesses Honored for Boating Achievements

Rep. Kenneth A. Marshall is applauding C&C Fiberglass Components, a Bristol-based manufacturer of boats and other products, for winning prestigious honors from Sailing World magazine for two of its boats.

C&C Fiberglass, in partnership with Newport companies J/Boats and Bluenose Yacht Sales, was honored as the manufacturer of the magazine’s pick for overall Boat of the Year for one boat design and for top honor in the daysailer category for another.

Representative Marshall joined Gov. Lincoln Chafee, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, House Majority Leader Nicholas A. Mattiello (D-Dist. 15, Cranston) and Rep. Raymond E. Gallison Jr. (D-Dist. 69, Bristol, Portsmouth) at C&C’s Ballou Boulevard headquarters Feb. 22 to congratulate the manufacturer and its employees for their achievements. Sailing World editor Dave Reed and the magazine’s marking director, George Brengle, also came to recognize the three local companies at the event organized by the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association and the magazine.

Sailing World’s Boat of the Year award recipients are selected by an independent panel of experts that puts new designs launched the previous year through rigorous inspection and sea trials. The J/70 from J/Boats and C&C Fiberglass Components captured overall honors; the Sparkman & Stephens 30 from Bluenose Yacht Sales and C&C Fiberglass Components won the best daysailercategory.

“C&C Fiberglass is a fantastic example of a local small business achieving greatness and building truly outstanding products. In a time when many are struggling, C&C has grown from 22 employees a few years ago to more than 50 today. They’ve proven that through careful, thoughtful design and partnership, manufacturing can excel in Rhode Island. I wish them continued success,” said Representative Marshall (D-Dist. 68, Bristol, Warren).