Rionholdt Once and Future Boats opened recently on Gwynn’s Island.

In leased space that previously housed Pulley’s Marine, owner Eric Hedberg custom builds reproductions of boats that are common to the Chesapeake Bay region. In addition, Hedberg repairs some other boats.

Hedberg’s custom boats are made of plastic. He said the plastic holds up much better in local saltwater than does wood that had been used for years in boatbuilding in this region.

Hedberg has one boat currently available for sale, another almost ready to sell, and is accepting orders for other boatbuilding jobs. He said his boats run from a 10-foot skiff to a 20-ton boat.
Hedberg has about 25 years’ experience as a boat carpenter, having previously worked for several businesses in Seaford and Reedville. He was an apprentice to several boat builders and later was a journeyman.

Among projects he has worked on were reproductions of the Susan Constant, one of the boats that brought the f...