Founder Randy Ramsey joins Power & Motoryacht to reflect on Jarrett Bay’s early days, evolution, and staying at the forefront of custom boatbuilding
In this episode of the Power & Motoryacht Podcast, Randy Ramsey sits down to talk through the origins of Jarrett Bay, and it quickly becomes clear this isn’t a typical “how it started” story. There’s no polished timeline or perfectly mapped-out plan. Instead, it’s a progression shaped by time on the water, long seasons running charters, and figuring things out as opportunities presented themselves.
Ramsey traces it back to fishing along the North Carolina coast, getting his start early and committing to it in a way that most people don’t. By the time he turned 18, he was already running charters, but like a lot of guys in the business, he realized pretty quickly that it wasn’t going to carry him year-round. That realization pushed him into the boatyard during the offseason, where he began learning the craft firsthand, surrounded by builders on Harkers Island and picking things up piece by piece.
One of the more defining moments in the conversation comes when he talks about fishing with Omie Tillett. It’s one of those experiences that clearly stuck with him. The way the boat handled, how it moved through the water, and how much more capable it felt compared to what he had been running. It wasn’t just impressive, it shifted his expectations of what a sportfishing boat could be.
From there, Jarrett Bay came together in a way that feels true to the industry. A rented shed, limited resources, and a willingness to ask for help when they didn’t have the answers. Ramsey talks about leaning on other builders, learning as they went, and figuring things out in real time. It’s a reminder that even at the highest level, a lot of this still comes down to experience, instinct, and persistence.
Looking at where Jarrett Bay is today, what stands out is how much of that original mindset is still intact. The scale has changed, the boats are larger and more advanced, but the approach hasn’t. It’s still about building something better each time, adapting when needed, and staying connected to the process.
