Bernard Lyman was the co-founder of Lyman Brothers Boat Builders and Lyman Boat Works. Lyman founded the company with his brother, Herman Lyman, in 1875.[1] He designed and built the clinker (boat building) built boat, the Lyman.[2] The Lyman boat has a reputation for, as Tom Koroknay says, "mastering the rugged chop of Lake Erie.[3]
However, the Lyman name would ultimately span far beyond Ohio and Lake Erie. In the 1950s, Lyman introduced multiple product lines that were marketed toward fishermen, jet-setters, and everyone in-between. The company was aggressively marketed, and their naval architecture was essentially similar in design to Great Lakes builders such as Chris-Craft out of Detroit, Michigan. Sleek, modern wood lines, and attention to detail defined the brand, along with the "dual-pane" glazing on most models' front bow/cockpit. Models such as the "Islander" and "Runabout" (between 17' and 22' in length) were most popular. Although they are rare to find today, they still have a sort-of cult-following, and are widely regarded as pioneers in the design of modern sport boats for usage in the Great Lakes, and other places around the world.