Ocean5 Inc. is located in Stuart, FL, with its offices located on Manatee Pocket. The family includes Ocean5 Naval Architects, Ocean5 Yacht Sales, Torx Marine, and the Manatiki Foundation.

The Vision Behind Ocean5

John Canada, President and owner, holds a BS in Ocean Engineering from Florida Institute of Technology (’94). His passion for sportfishing originated as a first mate for his late step father, Capt. Frank Bolin of St. Augustine, who was an editor for Florida Sportsman. Much of Canada’s early experience comes from working directly for boat builders including Sea Ray, Chris Craft, Pursuit, and Whiticar. John is a member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers & Royal Institute of Naval Architects, and has been practicing for over 30 years. The Manatiki Foundation non-profit was formed to give back and help restore their local environment.

Ocean5 was started in 2007 after Canada completed the last 30′ & 77′ Whiticar. He recognized that not every builder could afford a full time Naval Architect on staff, and many established builders didn’t have the bandwidth for multiple projects. Having already been part of a design office designing sportfish boats for Applied Concepts in the early 2000s (designing hulls and jig kits for Briggs, Sculley, Spencer, Tribute and Whiticar), the transition to an outside design firm was natural. Ocean5’s first projects included a new line of SeaVee boats, several models for Boston Whaler, and new models for Sea Ray and Pursuit. With a firm grasp on hull design, weight, LCG, performance and structures, their clients hired them to mitigate risk and reduce build time.

Performance-Driven Engineering

“The fundamentals are based on performance prediction, production methods and planning with margin,” said Canada. “If a builder is going to construct a custom multi-million-dollar yacht, or invest in tooling for a production boat, they need the confidence that it will float as intended and perform to expectations.”

Ocean5 yacht design services include gyro stabilizers, davits, cranes, bow thrusters, strakes, stability analyses, CFD testing, and performance optimization. They provide technical support for private clients and service yards from Fort Pierce to Miami. Ocean5 developed patents and gyro installation guidelines directly with Seakeeper, and their expertise in that area is unparalleled especially when considering difficult installation locations that might include modification of fuel tanks or hull structure.

A Team Passionate About Sportfishing

Ocean5’s employees are truly passionate about sportfishing and understand the impact of design choices and performance. Last year the team travelled to the Dominican Republic to fish aboard the 68′ Viking demo boat with Capt. Sean Dooley, and they book a local charter at least once a year. Whether fishing aboard their own company boat or learning techniques from local charter captains like Glenn Cameron aboard “Floridian”, the experience is valuable when it comes to knowing how captains fish & operate, and why one system or component has an advantage over another.

Hands-On Excellence and Industry Leadership

Ocean5’s culture is a blend of professionalism, experience, and hands-on. They work with clients to achieve their vision by first listening and asking questions. Roger Kowalski (VP of engineering), Andrew Doll (mechanical engineer and naval architect), and Jeff Langs (senior project head up the effort and serve as project managers. Caresse Chase is the business manager (and former Director of the Stuart Sailfish Club). Chuck Mack leads operations of yacht sales with decades of experience working for clients to make sure the buying and selling process goes smoothly, having naval architects on staff that understand cold molded wood construction, aluminum and fiberglass is an advantage when inspecting and listing boats.

The recent success of the new Willis Custom Yachts 70′ has the team focused on the next new Willis 79′, and they recently completed the new 48′ & 77′ designs for Hatteras Yachts which pays homage to the custom sportfish world with updated styling, functionality and carbon fiber infused construction.

Innovation in Action

The recently launched Kush 37′ power cat features a patented asymmetric stepped hull that allows it to lean in a turn. The team designed and validated it with CFD software, and were rewarded on the first sea trial by feeling it in action.

Stuart Boatworks and Islamorada Boatworks are a close partner with Ocean5 who recently redesigned the 18′ Islamorada carbon skiff and the new 27′ Islamorada hybrid. “It’s about evolution” said Canada, “Lafter testing the new 27 we all agreed the hull ran better; we were able to increase performance, reduce draft, yet maintain the iconic soft dry ride. Sharing our customer’s vision and goals helps us develop better products.”

Comprehensive Design Services

Ocean5 services are hard quoted and not based on time & material. Most initial inspections and consultations are free in South Florida.

Ocean5

4575 SE Dixie Highway

Stuart, Fl 34997

[email protected]

Ph: 772-692-8551

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