Christensen Shipyards

Christensen Shipyards was an American yacht-building company based in Vancouver, Washington, best known for constructing large composite-hull motor yachts. Founded in 1983, the company developed its principal operation on a seven-acre marina site with approximately 180,000 square feet of climate-controlled manufacturing space. The controlled production environment was suited to the fabrication, finishing, and interior installation requirements of large custom yachts, whose construction involves extensive composite work as well as marine engineering, outfitting, and project management. The business occupied a broader composite-manufacturing position than yacht construction alone. A sister operation, Renewable Energy Composite Solutions, or RECS, used approximately 10,000 square feet at the Vancouver site to manufacture composite components for wind-turbine and hydrokinetic applications. This reflected the transferability of Christensen’s composite fabrication capabilities into renewable-energy and marine-technology projects. Christensen’s yacht portfolio included large, custom-built motor yachts. One of its best-known vessels was Hull 026, later named Privacy, a 155-foot yacht delivered in 2006. The vessel was commissioned for professional golfer Tiger Woods and included extensive accommodation and leisure facilities. The project became notable not only for its scale but also for a confidentiality dispute after yacht details and the owner’s identity were reported publicly. Christensen and Woods subsequently reached an out-of-court settlement after Woods sued the builder. The company also participated in the development of an unconventional non-yacht vessel. In 2012, it was contracted by Leidos to manufacture the hull of Sea Hunter, an unmanned surface vessel being developed under the supervision of Oregon Iron Works. The project demonstrated the potential application of Christensen’s composite construction expertise to autonomous maritime platforms. Christensen later entered receivership, and work on the incomplete Sea Hunter hull stopped at its facility. The hull was transferred to Vigor Industrial, the parent company of Oregon Iron Works, for completion. Christensen pursued a major expansion in Tennessee during the same period. Beginning in 2012, it started building a 450,000-square-foot climate-controlled manufacturing facility on Tellico Lake near Knoxville. The planned site was intended to support construction of yachts exceeding 200 feet in either composite or steel. The building was not completed and remained unfinished. The company’s original Vancouver facility was ultimately purchased by Portland-based Vigor Industrial in 2019, and the final yacht built there was completed in June of that year. Christensen Shipyards is therefore principally remembered as a former specialist builder of large custom motor yachts, with additional activity in composite components and experimental maritime platforms. Its public record is defined by its large-yacht projects, ambitious expansion plans, composite-manufacturing capabilities, the Sea Hunter contract, and the subsequent receivership and disposition of its Vancouver operation.

Christensen Shipyards was established in 1983 in Vancouver, Washington, as a builder of large motor yachts using composite-hull construction. Its original operation occupied a seven-acre marina and included around 180,000 square feet of climate-controlled manufacturing space. The size and controlled environment of the facility supported the production of large custom yachts, which require lengthy hull fabrication, engineering integration, interior outfitting, and finishing work under carefully managed conditions. The company’s capabilities extended beyond yacht construction. Its sister company, Renewable Energy Composite Solutions, operated approximately 10,000 square feet at the Vancouver site and produced composite components for wind turbines and hydrokinetic systems. This related activity placed Christensen within a wider advanced-composites manufacturing ecosystem rather than limiting it solely to recreational vessels. Christensen’s projects included yachts built for private owners and high-profile clients. Hull 026 was delivered in 2006 as the 155-foot yacht Privacy. The yacht was commissioned by golfer Tiger Woods and was built with multiple guest staterooms, a theatre, gym, Jacuzzi, and other extensive accommodation and leisure spaces. The project was covered by a strict nondisclosure agreement. After information about the yacht and its owner appeared in nautical and later general-interest publications, Woods sued Christensen. The dispute was resolved through an out-of-court settlement. In 2012, Christensen began construction of a much larger facility on Tellico Lake near Knoxville, Tennessee. The planned 450,000-square-foot building was intended to provide climate-controlled production capacity for yachts exceeding 200 feet and to support construction in both composite and steel. The expansion represented an ambitious attempt to increase the company’s scale and broaden its manufacturing capability. The facility was never completed and remained unfinished. That same year, Christensen received a contract from Leidos to manufacture the hull for Sea Hunter, an unmanned surface vessel being developed with Oregon Iron Works supervision. The project connected Christensen’s composite construction experience with emerging autonomous maritime technology. It was not completed at the company’s facility, however. When Christensen entered receivership, work on the unfinished hull stopped, and the structure was moved to Vigor Industrial, Oregon Iron Works’ parent company, for completion. The company’s decline ultimately affected its original Vancouver operation. Vigor Industrial purchased the Vancouver facility in 2019. The last yacht completed there was finished in June of that year. Christensen Shipyards is consequently treated as a former yacht builder rather than an active independent shipbuilding brand. Its legacy rests on large composite motor yachts, the Privacy project, its attempted Tennessee expansion, its role in the Sea Hunter program, and the specialist composite-manufacturing infrastructure later absorbed into Vigor’s industrial operations.

1. 2019Vancouver facility changes ownership

   Vigor Industrial purchases Christensen’s Vancouver facility; the site’s final Christensen yacht is completed in June.

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2. 2012Tennessee expansion begins

   Construction starts on a planned 450,000-square-foot yacht manufacturing facility at Tellico Lake near Knoxville.

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3. 2012Sea Hunter hull contract

   Christensen is contracted by Leidos to manufacture the hull of the Sea Hunter unmanned surface vessel.

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4. 2006Hull 026 is delivered as Privacy

   Christensen delivers a 155-foot custom motor yacht commissioned for Tiger Woods.

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5. 1983Christensen Shipyards is founded

   The company is established in Vancouver, Washington, as a builder of composite-hull motor yachts.

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A specialist builder of large custom motor yachts emphasizing composite-hull construction and climate-controlled manufacturing, with additional experience in advanced composite marine and renewable-energy applications.

• Custom composite-hull motor yachtsYachts1983

  Christensen’s principal product was the large custom motor yacht, generally built around composite-hull construction. The company’s Vancouver plant combined extensive climate-controlled manufacturing space with marina access, enabling hull fabrication, systems installation, interior completion, and final marine outfitting. Its vessels were individually specified for private owners and could include substantial accommodation, entertainment, wellness, and crew facilities. The business was positioned toward large, highly customized yachts rather than standardized production boats.

• Privacy (Hull 026)Superyacht2006

  Privacy was a 155-foot custom motor yacht delivered in 2006. Commissioned for Tiger Woods, the vessel included a master suite, six staterooms, a theatre, gym, Jacuzzi, and accommodation for up to 21 people. Its construction and ownership were initially protected by a nondisclosure agreement. The yacht became one of Christensen’s most publicly recognizable projects after information about it was disclosed and a related legal dispute followed.

• Sea Hunter hullUnmanned surface vessel2012

  Christensen manufactured the incomplete hull for Sea Hunter, an unmanned surface vessel contracted by Leidos and developed under Oregon Iron Works supervision. The project applied Christensen’s composite fabrication experience to an autonomous maritime platform rather than a private yacht. Work stopped after the company entered receivership, and the unfinished hull was transferred to Vigor Industrial for completion.

• Renewable-energy composite componentsComposite components

  Through sister company Renewable Energy Composite Solutions, Christensen’s Vancouver operation produced composite components for wind-turbine and hydrokinetic applications. The activity used related fabrication capabilities and diversified the broader business beyond yacht construction. Public reference material identifies the operation and its facility footprint but does not provide a complete product catalogue.

• 2019Sale of the Vancouver facilityM&A

  Following Christensen’s receivership and the end of its independent operation, its original Vancouver facility became available for acquisition.

  What changed. Vigor Industrial purchased the Vancouver site.

  Aftermath. The final yacht at the facility was completed in June 2019, and Christensen ceased to operate there as an independent active builder.

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• 2012Pursuit of a major Tennessee manufacturing expansionStrategy

  Christensen sought to increase its capacity for very large yachts by developing a new climate-controlled facility on Tellico Lake near Knoxville.

  What changed. The company began construction of a planned 450,000-square-foot building designed for composite or steel yachts over 200 feet.

  Aftermath. The facility was not completed and remained unfinished.

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• 2012Entry into unmanned-vessel manufacturingProduct launch

  Leidos required a manufacturer for the hull of Sea Hunter, an unmanned surface vessel being developed under Oregon Iron Works supervision.

  What changed. Christensen accepted the contract to manufacture the vessel’s hull, applying its composite-building capabilities to an autonomous maritime platform.

  Aftermath. After Christensen entered receivership, work stopped and the incomplete hull was transferred to Vigor Industrial for completion.

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• 2019Vigor Industrial purchases Christensen’s Vancouver facility

  Portland-based Vigor Industrial acquired Christensen’s Vancouver, Washington facility. The last yacht completed at the site was finished in June 2019.

  M&A
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• 2012Christensen begins construction of large Tennessee yacht facility

  The company began work on a planned 450,000-square-foot climate-controlled manufacturing facility on Tellico Lake near Knoxville. The proposed site was designed for yachts longer than 200 feet constructed in composite or steel, but the building was not completed.

  Other
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• 2012Christensen contracted to manufacture the Sea Hunter hull

  Christensen was selected by Leidos to manufacture the hull of Sea Hunter, an unmanned surface vessel developed under the supervision of Oregon Iron Works.

  Product launchOther
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• Privacy yacht confidentiality dispute reaches settlement

  Tiger Woods sued Christensen after details concerning his custom yacht and its ownership became public despite a confidentiality agreement. The parties resolved the case through an out-of-court settlement.

  Lawsuit
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• Christensen enters receivership and Sea Hunter work is transferred

  After Christensen entered receivership, construction work on the incomplete Sea Hunter hull stopped at the company’s facility. The hull was transferred to Vigor Industrial, the parent of Oregon Iron Works, for completion.

  BankruptcyOther
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1. Christensen Shipyards
2. Christensen Yachts official website