Begun in a basement in Arlington, Virginia, in 1991, Chesapeake Light Craft supplied at first plans for kayaks, and a few years later, complete kits. In the 1990’s Chesapeake Light Craft designs were featured in a series of widely read books and articles by founder Chris Kulczycki, who helped expand CLC’s mission to offer high-performance kayaks that were easy to build. John C. Harris joined the company in 1994 and in 1995 set up CLC’s first kit manufacturing facility at our current location on George Ave. in Annapolis, Maryland.
Embracing computer technology in the mid-1990’s, CLC’s line of boat kits expanded quickly. To meet the exploding demand, in 1997 a custom-built industrial-scale computer numerical controlled cutter was installed—the first kit company to be so equipped.
In December 1999 John C. Harris purchased the company and Kulczycki moved on to other pursuits. As CEO, Harris updated, diversified, and expanded CLC's design portfolio to include rowing and sailing craft, vastly upgraded instructional materials including videos, a busy boat show schedule across the United States, more boatbuilding classes, and overseas dealerships in Japan, Australia, the UK, France, and Germany. He has created alliances with other companies who benefit from CLC’s singular expertise in CAD/CAM, naval architecture, and manufacturing, including WoodenBoat Magazine, the WoodenBoat School, Guillemot Kayaks, Shearwater Boats, Sam Devlin, Dudley Dix, and many universities.
Companies all over the world utilize our experience with CAD/CAM technology for custom projects. We maintain a busy sideline in design and fabrication service for boatbuilders, naval architects, and artists. We machine foils, make custom parts, and design and build molds and subassemblies. We have a particular specialty in sailboat keels, centerboards, and rudders. We also have helped machine and fabricate architectural elements for many homes and businesses across the country, and we work with artists on large-scale sculptural installations.
Currently CLC employs around 15 full-time employees at our Annapolis showroom, classroom, office, and factory. In 2014 we installed our fourth CNC machine, a 10-foot by 24-foot monster.
Chesapeake Light Craft has been the recipient of many business and product awards, including Sea Kayaker's Best Kit Kayak award and Best Paddleshop. CLC was recognized for Maryland's "More With Less" award and in 2011 the Chamber of Commerce voted CLC Small Business of the Year. CLC has gained recognition for leadership in the world of amateur boatbuilding. Events like Family Boatbuilding showcase our unique ability to communicate the joy of wooden boats to people of all ages and backgrounds. Our annual customer rendezvous, OkoumeFest, gathered thousands of boatbuilders from across the country to share their work and meet fellow boat nuts.
Owner & CEO: John C. Harris, john@clcboats.com
General Manager: Ed Wigglesworth, ed@clcboats.com
Production Manager: Dylan Jones, shop@clcboats.com
