Owner: Mark and Tony Schulstad
By Ann Marie Byrd, Feature Writer
The Pocket Yacht Company, located at 4310 U.S. Hwy 70, just north of Havelock, opened their doors just recently in the New Bern community in December of 2020, but the company itself has been in existence for over ten years.
Started by the father and son team of Mark and Tony Schulstad—who began with little more than a truck and two boats—the company is known for being the very first dealer of new Cutwater Boats in the world. From there, the company grew to include Ranger Tugs.
The Schulstad’s are themselves passionate boaters and have cruised the world, and their experiences have driven their selection of manufacturers. “These experiences have allowed us to appreciate the core strengths of the boat brands we’ve chosen,” says Mark. “As experienced mariners, we place a significant premium on the Pocket Yacht’s ability to deliver ‘Big Boat’ amenities in a compact, efficient design.”
“In New Bern, our strong team led by Bryan Harris, is excited to serve the demand of customers traveling the Carolinas, Intracoastal Waterway, and beyond,” says Managing Director and Owner, Mark Schulstad.
“We sell a product that is unique in this area and rapidly growing in popularity,” says Carolinas Regional Manager, Bryan Harris. “Growing up in the Carolinas, I found most people are looking for a boat to cruise and do a little traveling. The weather here can be iffy, so it’s nice to have an all-weather boat you can use all year. Ranger Tugs and Cutwater boats fall into a niche market because they are relatively small boats that offer big boat amenities.”
Pocket Yacht Company is the only dealer for Ranger Tugs and Cutwater Boat in the Carolina region.
“It has been exciting to become an active partner in the New Bern community,” says Office Manager, Dusty Cantley. “In our first year of business, we were able to be a safety boat for the annual Trent River Raft Race and become a sponsor for the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum, all to benefit what we are most passionate about, supporting life on the water.”
“After acquiring our new location in December 2020, we started off with an empty room, a folding table, and a laptop,” says Bryan Harris. “By the end of 2021, we had a very successful sales year and a renovated building that we are proud of. The population and demand in New Bern is growing exponentially and it is exciting to be a part of that business growth.”
In 2021 the Pocket Yacht Company was awarded the Largest Ranger Tug Dealer in the World, the Second Largest Cutwater Dealer in the World, and a Top 100 Dealer in North America by the Marine Retailers Association of America.
“Our goal is simple,” says Mark. “To use our passion for boating to deliver the customer a pleasurable experience from the original purchase of your boat and on through its lifespan.”