Maine has a long, proud history of producing boats and ships. The state is home to many small boatbuilders such as Back Cove Yachts, Hinckley Yachts, Hodgdon Yachts and Sabre Corp.

Manufacturers in many industries like to build with composites because they are lightweight and have high strength-to-weight ratios that often exceed steel and aluminum. At the same time, though, these materials can be hard to properly bond to thermoplastic, metal and other composites.

Large companies and small towns are sometimes a perfect fit. The most well-known example of this is Wal-Mart Stores Inc., which is the world’s largest retailer but is headquartered in tiny Bentonville, AR.

When there is smoke on the water—and fire in the sky—port authorities rely on fast fireboats to come to the rescue.

VONORE, TN—Yamaha Jet Boat Manufacturing USA Inc. will invest $17.7 million to expand operations at its assembly plant here. The company also expects to create 150 new jobs at the factory.

EDGEWATER, FL—Boston Whaler is planning to expand its boat assembly plant here and add at least 46 new full-time jobs.

SWANSBORO, NC—Armstrong Marine Inc. will invest more than $8.4 millionto build a new assembly plant to make welded aluminum boats. The facility could create 200 jobs.

NEW YORK MILLS, MN—Boat manufacturer Lund Boat Co. has begun a $5 million project to expands its assembly plant here.

FORT WAYNE, IN—Brunswick Corp. has opened a new assembly plant here to make high-end pontoon boats and expects to add 200 jobs to its workforce by 2016.

NEW YORK MILLS, MN—Lund Boat and its parent company, Brunswick Corp., have agreed to pay $295,000 in back wages and interest to 185 female job applicants who were denied entry-level positions at Lund’s assembly plant here.