The boat building industry has grown stronger because of companies that deliver quality marine vessels year after year. Hike Metal Products has built commercial boats and ships since 1958. This Ontario company creates large vessels for fishing crews, police forces, fire departments, and research teams. The shipbuilding industry values Hike Metal because they build vessels that meet modern-day performance standards.
From Steel Heritage to Modern Aluminum Construction
Hike Metal built steel fishing tugs in 1958 that still operate on the Great Lakes today. These steel boats have worked for decades, proving the quality of their construction. A well-maintained steel boat can work for 100 years. The fishing crews who use these original vessels demonstrate the lasting value of quality shipbuilding.
Steel offers clear advantages in specific applications. When a fishing boat hits ice or debris, steel protects the hull and maintains the level of safety crews depend on. Steel weighs more than aluminum, but this weight helps boats achieve balanced weight distribution. The structural design of steel vessels creates a lower centre of gravity, which improves stability.
Hike Metal now builds most workboats from aluminum. Aluminum boats resist corrosion better than steel boats. Saltwater and constant moisture cause steel to rust over time. Aluminum does not rust, due to corrosion resistance and has a lighter weight. This means less maintenance work and lower costs for boat owners.
Building Custom Vessels That Match Exact Needs
Every client has different functional requirements. Fishing crews need boats with large cargo areas. Police need fast boats with room for officers and equipment. Fire departments need boats that can break ice and pump water.
The commercial ship design process starts with a meeting. Hike Metal’s marine engineers ask questions to understand every detail. Their team creates plans that address all design requirements. Naval engineers review the aspects of vessel design to ensure proper centre of buoyancy and centre of gravity calculations. This creates perfect alignment in the vessel’s balance.
When everyone agrees on the design of ships, Hike Metal’s crew starts building. The company holds certifications from the American Bureau of Shipping and Lloyd’s Registry. Government agencies, fleet owners, and commercial operators trust these certifications.
Custom Ship Building Services for Government Agencies
Hike Metal provides custom ship building services for government work. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police use their patrol boats to enforce laws on Canadian waters. The Canadian Coast Guard uses their boats for rescue work and ice breaking. Fire departments use their fireboats for emergency response.
The Christopher Wheatley fireboat in Chicago demonstrates their capabilities. This boat breaks through 12 inches of ice while maintaining perfect symmetry in its weight distribution. It fights fires, supports divers, rescues boaters in trouble, and pumps water to help fight fires on land. Its design meets high-performance standards required for multi-purpose operations. Government buyers have strict rules about boat construction, and Hike Metal knows these rules well.
Strategic Location and Workforce Excellence
Hike Metal sits on Lake Erie near Detroit and Windsor, close to the St. Lawrence Seaway and commercial shipping routes. The facility has a 100-ton travel lift that pulls fishing boats out of the water for repairs. The lift works day and night. The team of professionals ready to help can fix boats fast.
The company has a complete machine shop on site. Workers can make custom parts without waiting for suppliers, which speeds up the range of ship construction and repair work they handle.
Hike Metal employs about 20 people. Experienced workers teach younger workers how to build boats correctly, preserving specialized knowledge about centres of gravity and centres of buoyancy calculations. Many fleet owners bring boats back to Hike Metal after 15 or 20 years for complete rebuilds.
Comprehensive Services for Marine Vessels
Hike Metal does more than build new boats. They fix and upgrade old boats to meet current functional requirements:
- Rebuilding old boats to make them like new
- Replacing old engines with new, more efficient engines
- Inspecting hulls and recalculating centre of buoyancy and centre of gravity
- Fixing emergency problems any time, day or night
- Updating boats to meet new safety rules
These services help boat owners get more years from their vessels. While no vessel is truly an unsinkable vessel, proper maintenance keeps boats safe and reliable. The staff gives clients their personal phone numbers for direct contact.
Passenger Boats and Commercial Shipping Support
Hike Metal builds passenger boats for tour companies. The Flowerpot Express carries 83 passengers on tours of Lake Huron. This 50-foot custom vessel moves fast and rides smoothly. Three diesel engines power water jets. The boat meets all passenger safety rules in terms of weight capacity and structural integrity.
Commercial fishing crews and commercial shipping operators depend on Hike Metal for boats and repairs. The Great Lakes fishing industry faces hard conditions. Ice, storms, and heavy loads test every boat. Hike Metal builds boats strong enough to handle this work year after year. Marine engineers at the facility understand fishing boat systems and can find problems quickly.
Research Vessels for Scientific Work
Hike Metal builds research boats for scientists who study lakes and oceans. These boats carry scientific instruments and equipment. They must run smoothly so instruments can collect accurate data. Research boats need special features. They must not vibrate too much or the instruments give wrong readings. Proper structural design ensures these various types of vessels meet research standards. Scientists use these boats to study fish populations, water quality, and lake conditions.
Start Your Boat Project Today
Hike Metal Products has improved the boat building industry through 65 years of quality work. They build vessels that last decades and perform well in hard conditions. The shipbuilding industry recognizes their contributions to marine vessel construction and the design requirements they consistently meet.
Do you need a dedicated team who has decades of experience in the boat building industry? Hike Metal Products has the experience to build your custom vessel. Call 519-825-4691 or email sales@hikemetal.com to discuss your project. Their team will help you create a vessel that meets your needs and works reliably for years.
