June 2, 2026

Abaco 35, 40 and 47 and Bruckmann 50 Motorsailer Now Available for Order – First American Production Targeted for Spring 2027

Niche Watercraft LLC has announced the acquisition of Bruckmann Yachts and the launch of a new brand name: Bruckmann+Ellis. The renaming honors naval architect Mark Ellis, whose designs defined the Bruckmann line for more than four decades – a tribute agreed upon by both Mark Bruckmann and Mark Ellis before his passing in May 2025.

Mark Bruckmann, following plans to retire in 2025, completed his final build – the Ellis-designed Bruckmann 50 Motorsailer – in July 2025, and retired his Ontario shop and production team in August 2025 after more than five decades of continuous production. He built until he chose to stop, on his own timeline, making certain the brand, the molds, and the owner community he had spent a lifetime building would be in the right hands.

While in discussions with Mark Ellis about a potential design project in 2024, Niche founder Mike Mullenberg learned of Bruckmann’s retirement plans. Ellis – who had spent decades designing the hulls Bruckmann built – made the introduction. Mullenberg met with Bruckmann in Mississauga in September 2024, and the two agreed to transition the brand and molds to American production, ensuring the boats would continue to be built and Mark Bruckmann’s 55-year legacy would carry forward.

Mark Ellis passed away in May 2025. His engineering remains in every hull Niche is returning to production. Naming the brand Bruckmann+Ellis is the permanent acknowledgment of his contribution.

“We had a great following across our brand builds – both power and sail, from many different designers. Our focus was always on building boats, not marketing and sales. Handing off to a group with deep marketing and sales experience makes good sense, as long as the build quality can be assured. That’s what we found in Niche.” – Mark Bruckmann, Founder, Bruckmann Yachts

“Mark Bruckmann spent 55 years earning the trust of his owners. When the time came to step back, he wasn’t looking for a buyer – he was looking for the right steward. Mark Ellis made that introduction because he believed in what we are building. We are honored by the trust both men placed in Niche, and we take that responsibility seriously. Every hull we build under the Bruckmann+Ellis name will be worthy of it.” — Mike Mullenberg, Founder & Managing Principal, Niche Watercraft LLC

The acquisition completes a portfolio years in the making – Blue Jacket Yachts acquired in 2022, Whitacre Catamarans co-founded in 2019 – each chosen for proven offshore designs, enduring build quality, and a loyal owner community with no adequate alternative.

Bruckmann+Ellis hulls will be built by experienced US specialty composite builders on the East Coast, with first deliveries targeted for spring 2027. Niche Watercraft is developing capacity across multiple production relationships to support a growing build program.

Bruckmann+Ellis retains its independent identity and owner community. Vessels are sold factory-direct and through select Agent/Broker representatives chosen for their firsthand knowledge of the brand, its designs, and the offshore boating community it serves. Mark Bruckmann continues as a contract advisor, ensuring the construction knowledge and owner relationships he built over 55 years carry into every hull that bears the Bruckmann+Ellis name.

ABOUT NICHE WATERCRAFT LLC
Niche Watercraft curates, develops, markets, and sells a portfolio of high-quality watercraft brands for the experienced, educated, and discerning boater. The portfolio spans sail, power, and catamaran — bringing together revitalized American offshore legacy lines in Blue Jacket Yachts and Bruckmann+Ellis, custom advanced engineered carbon composite bluewater liveaboard catamarans through Whitacre Catamarans, and US West Coast representation of X-Yachts of Denmark, one of Europe’s most respected offshore performance sailboat builders. Every brand in the Niche portfolio shares a common standard: proven offshore designs, enduring build quality, and direct access to the people behind the boats.