Why Van Dam Holds 32 ABYC Certifications — and Keeps Adding More

There’s a version of craftsmanship that’s purely aesthetic — beautiful work, no documentation, no third-party accountability.

That’s not how Van Dam operates.

Technical excellence here is a standard we hold ourselves to and ask others to verify. In 2025, the team raised the bar again — across every discipline, from marine electrical to paint systems to propulsion.

32 ABYC Certifications — and Counting

The American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) is the leading authority for marine safety standards in North America, covering design, construction, and repair. Earning an ABYC certification means passing standardized testing across specific technical domains. It’s not a participation certificate.

This year, the Van Dam team attended nine certification courses in Marine Electrical, Corrosion, and Systems, bringing the combined campus total to 32 ABYC certifications.

That includes five ABYC Master Technicians — the highest designation available — with three more team members gaining hours toward that distinction.

2025 Training Highlights

• A Boyne Boat Yard Advanced Marine Technician became certified in servicing HamiltonJet propulsion systems
• The Boyne Boat Yard Service Manager completed training to become a Certified Seakeeper Advanced Technician
• Van Dam’s Paint & Varnish team attended a two-day course to become certified in two Glasurit professional paint lines — the highest-performing systems in their category
• Eight members of the Van Dam campus attended IBEX — the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference, North America’s largest technical trade event for marine industry professionals

Why This Matters for Your Boat

A custom wooden boat is a long-term investment. The craftsmanship matters. The materials matter. And so does the technical knowledge behind the systems that keep it running — the electrical, the mechanical, the finish, the propulsion.

When a Van Dam leaves the shop, it’s been built by a team that holds itself to a documented, certifiable standard. Not because regulation requires it. Because that’s the kind of shop we want to run.

That standard extends beyond the new build floor. Boyne Boat Yard — Van Dam’s full-service marina operation — provides the same level of technical expertise for ongoing maintenance, service, and care for any boat, Van Dam or otherwise. Learn more about Van Dam Custom Boats or contact us to talk about your next build.