2025: Carl Herndon, Blackfin Yachts
Carl Herndon
Carl Herndon, a visionary leader whose nearly 70-year career left an enduring imprint on the recreational marine industry, was best known as the founder of Blackfin Yachts and a driving force behind Bertram and Jupiter Marine.
Herndon began his career in the 1950s as a boatbuilder with Challenger Marine before moving into senior manufacturing roles with Glastron and Chrysler Boat Corp. In 1968, he joined Bertram Yachts as production superintendent, where his engineering and operational expertise contributed to the brand’s rise as a premier offshore name. Decades later, he returned as president of Bertram in the 1990s, steering the company out of bankruptcy and restoring both profitability and prestige within a year, a turnaround still regarded as one of the industry’s most remarkable achievements.
In the early 1970s, Herndon founded Blackfin Yachts, carving out a new market for rugged, high-performance offshore sportfishing boats. Known for their structural quality, resale value and loyal following, Blackfin models became benchmarks for durability and craftsmanship. In 1998, he took the helm at Jupiter Marine International, where he oversaw the design and production of premium center console boats until his passing in December 2023.
Beyond building iconic brands, Carl gave back through leadership and service. As President of the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, he helped repeal diesel fuel taxes, secure sales tax exemptions, and supported economic impact studies that spurred the growth of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. He was appointed to the Florida Boating Advisory Council by Governor Lawton Chiles, advising on safety, access, and regulatory matters. And through advisory roles with the Pompano Beach Fishing Rodeo and South Florida Fishing Classic, he championed tournament growth, conservation, and artificial reef initiatives.
Herndon’s quiet but effective leadership style, rooted in mentorship, integrity and innovation, shaped not only vessels but generations of professionals. His enduring legacy lives on in the brands he built, the companies he revitalized and the industry standards he helped set.