Built in Oregon · Employee owned
44° North Marine is the employee-owned parent company of North River Boats and Willie Boats, two of the Pacific Northwest's most respected names in welded aluminum boats.
Who we are
In 2023, North River Boats of Roseburg and Willie Boats of Central Point came together as 44° North Marine.
The two companies had long respected each other's people and products. Together, each keeps building what it is known for, in the community where it has always built it, while sharing engineering, purchasing and a common commitment to quality. Our name comes from the 44th parallel, the line of latitude that runs across the heart of Oregon.
Our companies
A premier builder of heavy-gauge welded aluminum boats, from family fishing and offshore cabin boats to purpose-built commercial, first responder, government and military vessels. The North River family also includes the Almar line of commercial and government boats.
Visit North River
Known for decades among Northwest anglers and guides for aluminum drift boats that are built tough and row true. Willie continues to build its drift boats, power boats and raft frames in the Rogue Valley.
Visit Willie Boats
Employee owned
North River Boats established its Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) on January 1, 2016, giving every qualifying team member an ownership stake in the business. When Willie Boats joined 44° North Marine, its employees became shareholders through the same plan.
An ESOP is a retirement benefit. As team members build their careers here, they build ownership too.
What we stand for
Heavy-gauge welded aluminum, built by skilled hands. We build boats meant to outlast their first owner.
Our people are owners. When the company does well, the team that built it shares in that success.
Fire crews, law enforcement, the military and commercial operators trust our boats when it matters most.
We're committed to Roseburg, the Rogue Valley and the Oregon manufacturing jobs that keep them strong.
Who we build for
Anglers, families and guides on rivers, lakes and open water.
Pilot, survey and work boats built for daily, demanding duty.
Proven platforms for fire, police, rescue, federal and defense customers.
Questions
44° North Marine is the employee-owned parent company of North River Boats in Roseburg, Oregon, and Willie Boats in Central Point, Oregon. The two boat builders came together under 44° North Marine in 2023.
Yes. North River Boats established an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) on January 1, 2016, giving every qualifying team member an ownership stake. When Willie Boats joined 44° North Marine, its employees became shareholders through the same plan.
An Employee Stock Ownership Plan is a retirement benefit that gives employees ownership in the company they work for. It is funded by the company, not by employee paychecks.
North River Boats builds heavy-gauge welded aluminum recreational boats plus commercial, first responder, government and military vessels, including the Almar line. Willie Boats builds aluminum drift boats, power boats and raft frames.
North River boats are built in Roseburg, Oregon. Willie boats are built in Central Point, Oregon, in the Rogue Valley.
Visit northriverboats.com to explore models and find a North River dealer, or willieboats.com for Willie drift boats and power boats.
Explore the full lineups from our builders.