MN 100: Sneed Shipbuilding, Inc.
Sneed operates out of its main facility, nearly 40 acres in Channelview, Texas, as well as a smaller yard (three acres) in Orange, Texas, and the Central Gulf Shipyard, LLC, in New Iberia, La., a full-service shipyard located on the Commercial Canal, specializing in offshore liftboat newbuild and repair; cornerstone to the company’s plan to further diversify its business from its inland core to include the offshore industry. Martin M. Sneed founded Sneed Shipbuilding in 1965 and sold it to his son Clyde Sneed and business partner Mitch Jones in 2009.
Sneed Shipbuilding: An (Extended) Family Affair
When Martin M. Sneed embarked in the business of building for the demanding workboat market in the mid-60s, he likely did not imagine that four decades later, his son Clyde (pictured) and business partner and co-owner Mitch Jones would be at the helm of a highly successful boat building company, crafting finely appointed custom boats for some of the industry’s most discriminating owners. Sneed Shipbuilding was founded by Martin M. Sneed in 1965, and many of the principles upon which it was founded: quality, integrity and efficiency, are as valid today as ever.
Shallow Draft Push Boat from Sneed Shipbuilding
Blessey Marine Services, Inc. of Harahan, La. has taken delivery of a 65 x 24-ft. push boat. Built by Sneed Shipbuilding of Orange, Texas, the new boat is powered by a pair of Cummins KTA19M main engines delivering a combined 1,000 hp through Reintjes WAF363L main gears with 6:1 reduction. The props on the new boat, named David F. Stone, are four-blade 64 x 52-in. Michigan Workhorse. The six-in. shafts have Nickel-chrome liners increasing their dimension by .75 in. at the points where they pass through the hull and the stabilizer strut where Thordon bearings have been installed. Electrical power is provided by a 50kW, Stamford Newage generators driven by 6B5.9-D(M) Cummins engines. Cooling for both mains and gen sets is by Fernstrum.
