The Carolina Boat Builder Foundation Tournament represents one of the most compelling stories of community, craftsmanship, and compassion in the marine industry. Now in its 22nd year, this tournament began with a simple yet powerful purpose: to support the children of a local boat builder who lost his battle with cancer in his mid-40s. What started as a community rallying to ensure two children could attend college has evolved into a sustained charitable foundation that continues to provide educational opportunities for students across Dare County, North Carolina.

The tournament's origin story reveals the tight-knit nature of the Carolina boat-building community. When Taylor Harrison, a respected local boat builder, passed away unexpectedly, the community was shaken. Fellow builders and fishermen quickly organized a tournament to raise funds for Harrison's children, Mallory and Alex, ensuring they could pursue higher education despite their father's untimely death. The success of this initial event created momentum that has carried through more than two decades, evolving from supporting two specific children to becoming a 501(c)(3) foundation that distributes scholarships to students across three local high schools: Cape Hatteras, First Flight, and Manteo.

What makes this foundation particularly impressive is its efficiency and community support. As John Bayliss, one of the tournament's founders, explains, the foundation donates an astounding 91-92% of all funds raised directly to educational initiatives. This remarkable percentage is possible because virtually everything associated with the tournament—from food to volunteer staff—is donated. The community's commitment extends beyond financial contributions to include educational opportunities, with local boat builders mentoring students in practical skills. Perhaps most impressive is the skiff built by seventh-grade students under the guidance of Glenn Bradley, a veteran boat builder who worked with Ricky Scarborough. This student-built vessel will be auctioned to raise funds that will further support the educational program.

The tournament exists within the context of a legendary boat-building region. North Carolina's Outer Banks, particularly the communities around Manteo, represent one of the densest concentrations of custom sport fishing yacht builders in the world. The area's boat-building tradition evolved organically from the needs of the local fishing industry, where fishermen maintained their own vessels and eventually began building charter boats in collaborative six-month projects. These efficient, purpose-built vessels gradually attracted the attention of private owners seeking more refined fishing platforms, leading to the evolution of the custom sport fishing yacht industry that flourishes today.

This evolution continues through builders like John Bayliss, whose company exemplifies the progression from rudimentary construction methods to sophisticated, fully-designed custom yacht building. Where early boats were built with minimal planning—often designing the layout after construction had begun—today's vessels undergo extensive design processes that can take a year before construction even begins. The building process itself can span 24 to 36 months for vessels ranging from 64 to 80 feet. Despite these changes, the fundamental values remain consistent: passion for excellence, attention to detail, and the drive to create the finest fishing platforms possible.

This blog post is centered on Season 4, Episode 1 of the Wards Way Podcast. To access the episode, please visit your preferred podcast platform and make sure you subscribe for future updates.

For additional information about the Dare County Boat Builders Foundation, please follow the link below.:

https://www.dcbbf.org/

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