The History Of Vernese Customs®

My name is Damon Vernese.  Growing up I bounced around from Kansas, Colorado, Hawaii and California (no, not military…… everyone asks that 😉 ).  After moving to Florida at the age of 15, I soon finished High School and went straight to work.  My Father, Michael Vernese, Sr. started a family business and I was part of the team.  We developed Composite Products for various Markets one of the most successful being the All Composite Pool Maintenance Trailer (The Pool Mule). Then we built a boat…  that was it…  i was hooked.

A move to the Treasure Coast launched a company called Ugly Boats. Then Vernese Custom Boatworks produced some Semi-Custom Sportfishing Boats, most Inboard Diesels. One of the most noteworthy, Lilly M of Isla Mujeres, Mexico run by Captain Anthony Mendillo.  Anthony finished the boat himself. Nice work Capt!

After 9/11/2001, the Company down-sized but managed to stay successful.  Eventually, Mike Sr. moved to Perry, FL and his oldest sons, Brandon and Damon (me), started a string of companies; B.A.D. Marine, B&D Marine and Billfish Boats.  Capt. Frank Timmons built a custom 37 and updated a Mako 268 with B.A.D. Marine.

B&D Marine Customized several Ocean Master Boats. A company Ocean Master 27 Demo Boat spent ALOT of time offshore. Here she is “Prop-Testing”.

“Props are still on??? Check!!”  And yes, that was fun.

In late 2009, the Billfish 39 was born. The Billfish 39 Walk Around was debuted at the 2010 Maimi International Boat Show.  Matador was shown again in Palm Beach with Neptune Boat Lifts.

During construction of Billfish 39 Hull #2, it became clear that I must find a new path.  That path led me to Captain Taylor Hansen and together we built the finest 25′ Center Console we were capable of.  We had Competition Boats build a 25 to our specs and took it from there. Highly modified, seriously custom, she exceeded our expectations…

I speak for Taylor and myself, and say we enjoyed building the boat more than we have using it…  (Jon enjoys using it.) 😉 It has been a “Fun Ride” Thank you my Friend!!

In the Fall 2013, Capt. Taylor took me fishing with Capt. Tim Ward of Vero Tackle.  The Hewes 19 Redfisher he charters needed New Fuel Tank and Fresh Non-Skid. See step by step.

That brings us pretty close to current.  I’ve been blessed to meet a lot of really good people in that last few years and my passion for building boats has grown immensely.  Daily, I am learning “new techniques” and “old trade secrets”.  I can only imagine what is in store for the future of Vernese Customs..  stay tuned!!

-Damon Vernese