Superior Marine Building Harbor Boat For Illinois River

Superior Marine, South Point, Ohio, began work on construction of a harbor boat this month. The completed boat is destined for work on the Illinois River.
“We are a custom ship construction facility for harbor boats and can build to customer specifications,” said Bob McCune, president of Superior Marine Ways Inc. “This will be our 10th new-construction boat at our facility.”

Superior has been in the boat construction business for more than 20 years. “Our unique hull design improves thrust and maneuverability. We also can build to ABS specifications and incorporate customer designs into the custom builds; we are not an assembly-line type operation. Our skilled fabrication team and shop provide us the ability to control the build-out all in-house to ensure quality and craftsmanship,” said McCune.

The new open-wheel harbor boat under construction will measure 60 feet by 22 feet by 8 feet. It will have two Caterpillar engines generating 1,200 hp. and two 65-kw. generators. The tanks can hold 10,000 gallons of fuel and 3,000 gallons of water. The three-deck boat will have an eye level of 28 feet. While built as a harbor boat, the design allows for conversion to live-aboard vessel.

Superior is located at Ohio River Mile 314.9 near the mouth of the Big Sandy River. The workforce has Coast Guard-certified welders, an in-house fabrication and machine shop and a skilled mechanical and electrical team. Superior is the only new-boat construction operation in Ohio, materials are sourced locally as often as possible and the company employs 120.

In addition, to the new boat construction, boat repair is a growing sector of business for the company. The company also operates eight harbor boats, barge repair and an indoor blast and paint facility. Superior has operated since 1974 and is second-generation family owned.