CFCC Partners with Bayliss Boatworks to Provide Hands-On Boat Building Experience for Students

March 3, 2026

ADA-compliant alt text: Top and side profile renderings of a white center-console motorboat labeled “Wanchese Harbor 21.” The top view shows a gray deck with a central helm console, steering wheel, display screen, cushioned seating, and open bow area. The side view shows a sleek hull with a pointed bow, center console windshield, leaning post, and a single outboard motor mounted at the stern. Text below reads: “Wanchese Harbor 21 by Cape Fear Community College with Bayliss Boatworks,” accompanied by circular logo marks.

Wilmington, NC (March 3, 2026) – Cape Fear Community College has partnered with Bayliss Boatworks, Inc., one of North Carolina’s most respected builders of high-end sportfishing boats, to provide students with a hands-on, real-world learning experience. Headquartered in Wanchese, North Carolina, Bayliss Boatworks is internationally known for its custom sportfishing yachts and exceptional craftsmanship.

Through the partnership, students enrolled in CFCC’s Boat Manufacturing and Wooden Boat Building programs will construct a 21-foot center-console boat based on design plans provided by Bayliss Boatworks. Bayliss will supply all materials, equipment, and specifications for the project, allowing students to build the vessel to the same standards used in the company’s renowned custom boats.

Under the guidance of CFCC faculty and with support from Bayliss personnel, students will gain hands-on experience that mirrors industry expectations and practices. The collaboration bridges classroom instruction with workforce training, preparing students for careers in the marine manufacturing industry.

“This partnership gives our students an extraordinary opportunity to work on a professional-grade vessel from start to finish,” said Jim Morton, CFCC President. “By collaborating with a world-class boat builder like Bayliss, our students gain valuable experience that directly translates to the skills employers are seeking.”

“The students at Cape Fear Community College represent the future of custom boat building,” said John Bayliss, Foundation and President of Bayliss Boatworks. “Watching them develop the skills and passion needed to carry this trade forward is inspiring. This experience gives them a head start on a successful career, ensuring the craft remains in good hands for the next generation.”

For more information about CFCC’s Boat Manufacturing and Wooden Boat Building programs, visit cfcc.edu/boat-building/ .

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