Taylor boats
Taylor is a vintage boat builder with 109 hulls registered in the US, most dating to the mid 1970s to early 1980s. These are small boats with a median length of 18 feet, all powered by gasoline engines. Taylor suits buyers seeking affordable vintage runabouts or fishing boats who can handle age related maintenance on older fiberglass hulls.
Are Taylor boats reliable?
With most Taylor boats now 40 to 50 years old, reliability depends more on previous owner care than original build quality. The brand has zero USCG recalls on record, which is favorable. Expect typical vintage boat costs: gelcoat repairs, outdated electrical systems, and fuel system rebuilds, with annual maintenance budgets ranging from $500 to $2,000 depending on mechanical and cosmetic condition.
Common problems to inspect on a used Taylor
- Transom rot and soft spots in the deck or hull from water intrusion over decades
- Corroded wiring and outdated electrical components from the 1970s and 1980s
- Fuel tank leaks, deteriorated fuel lines, and carburetor issues on aging gasoline engines
- Faded gelcoat, stress cracks, and fiberglass blisters common to boats from this era
Registry footprint
Sample = US state open-data vessel registries (currently Texas + New York, ~875k vessels). Treat as a representative slice of recreational US inventory.
Recalls (0)
No USCG recalls on file for Taylor.
USCG MIC entries (13)
-
TVDTAYLOR MANUFACTURING JOHNSONVILLE, SC inactive -
TZYTAYLOR'S MARINE CENTER ELECTRIC CITY, WA inactive -
TZXTAYLOR BAY BOAT & BARGE INC SEATTLE, WA active -
DRTTAYLOR BOATS BALDWIN PARK, CA active -
OWTTAYLOR BOATS YARMOUTH, ME active -
TYRTAYLOR BOATS CUSHING, OK active -
TAOTAYLOR ENTERPRISES UNION, OR active -
TAYTAYLOR INDUSTRIES INC CUSHING, OK active -
TVATAYLOR MADE BOATS KILL DEVIL HILLS, NC active -
TXLTAYLOR MADE PRODUCTS NORTH SACO, ME active -
TMRTAYLOR MANUFACTURING INC ELIZABETHTOWN, NC active -
UTYTAYLOR MARINE SPECIALTIES INC. FREEPORT, FL active -
TKUTAYLOR'S STRIP BOATS CHARLESTON, SC active
Frequently asked questions
Are Taylor boats reliable?
Taylor boats have no federal recalls, but as vintage hulls from the 1970s and 1980s, reliability now depends entirely on how well each boat was stored and maintained over the past 40 to 50 years. A well kept Taylor can still be seaworthy, but expect age related repairs.
What should I look for when buying a used Taylor boat?
Inspect the transom for rot by pushing on it with firm pressure, check for soft spots in the deck by walking the entire surface, and have a marine surveyor assess hull integrity and the fuel system. Verify the trailer is roadworthy if included, as many are original and may need axle or bearing work.
What is a Taylor boat worth?
Taylor boats typically sell between $1,500 and $8,000 depending on length, condition, and whether the engine runs. Boats with documented recent mechanical work and solid hulls command the higher end, while project boats needing transom or engine rebuilds often sell under $3,000.
How much does it cost to maintain a Taylor boat?
Budget $500 to $2,000 per year for a vintage Taylor, covering fuel system maintenance, electrical repairs, gelcoat touch ups, and bottom paint if kept in the water. Major repairs like transom replacement or engine swaps can add $2,000 to $5,000 in a given year.
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