The Family Trade Craft
The Bougue
Time-tested craftsmanship combined with state-of-the-art technology. This is a great way to describe the boats built by Christopher ‘Chris’ Scott and his team at Calypso Boats, in his new expanded factory in Trinidad. There’s no denying the popularity of Scott’s Pirogue design. You’ll see them on nearly every Caribbean island hard at work as commercial fishing boats, sport fishing charters, ferries, taxis, dive boats and in the past 20 years his Deep Vee designs have become very popular amongst the upscale pleasure boater.
The art of boatbuilding is a time-honored tradition in Trinidad & Tobago which was in part pioneered by Christopher's father- Dennis Scott. The creation of the twin island country’s signature Pirogue, crafted from a lap-strake construction process over a century old and started when vessels were made out of wood rather than fiberglass, is a special talent that has been passed down from generation to generation. It’s no surprise that Scott learned all of his marine manufacturing skills from his father, also known as "The Bougue".
Incredible Quality
“My dad was trained as an aeronautical engineer,” says Scott. “He loved to fish and started building boats under our house. I began working with him full-time at the age of 15. He taught me everything.”
“The Pirogues are displacement boats that provide a flat dry ride,” Scott explains. “They are great all-purpose boats. Our 34-footer can easily go from 12-foot seas into an area with only 20 inches of water.”
The Pirogue is a traditional Caribbean-style fishing design recognizable for its sharp 60-degree bow and raised sheer forward combined with a moderate V that has about a ten degree deadrise at the transom. Fully reversed chines add stability and keep spray channeled downward.
Scott’s operation at Calypso Marine is the antithesis of a big factory that spits out cookie-cutter production boats. The emphasis at his operation off Chaguaramas’ Western Main Road is one-at-a-time custom construction updated to today's 100% composite construction. Scott oversees every aspect of the manufacturing process and insures that every vessel adheres to the company's level of quality and finish.
