Updated - 3/23/04

• The Holo 24 was sold in 2001 and no are longer being built. This website was put together from 1999-2001. Steve Gates has since moved to Tonga in his new job. I figured I would put this website back up for informational purposes since someone actually called about it today. ( I have my dad's cell number now )

Tradewind Island Boatworks is a long name for a small company. It consists of me, my small shop, and a great power cat design. Aside from using occasional help for the larger glassing jobs, I work entirely alone, handcrafting each HOLO 24 from start to finish. No molds, no production, and therefore I believe, no compromises. I know every square inch of the boat throughout the construction. As an artist/craftsman, I prefer and enjoy working this way, and have no desire to go into production. I can build one or two per year on a custom basis, and because I keep my overhead low, my custom one off prices are comparable to production boat prices.

Some people think I'm crazy, "You should make a mold!". The way I look at it, if I made a mold, 1) I would just be doing fiberglass work, and not satisfying my need for creativity, 2) I would be doing lots more (just) fiberglass work since with a mold production would have to increase, which results in 3) much higher overhead, i.e. larger shop, employees, advertising for a larger market; in other words, becoming a businessman first, boatbuilder second. No thank you, I'll keep it simple and satisfying, and as far as my customers are concerned, I know they are getting "uncompromised construction of an uncompromised design". I invite you to explore this site, give me a call, and come to my shop on Kaua'i to check out the current HOLO 24.