Jay Phillips, director of Stiletto Manufacturing Inc., told Tyrrell commissioners last week that Stiletto sailboats, to be built in Columbia, were introduced internationally in news media on December 1. 

The company, located on Columbia’s waterfront at 107 South Water Street, has five employees at present, expects to have 20 employees when production reaches 30 boats a year, and 30-35 employees at a production rate of one per week, Phillips said.

Types of jobs he outlined include work in design, marketing, rigging, assembly, sailing instruction, management, and administration.

He predicted half the company’s workfoce will be local residents.

Phillips emphasized that Stiletto catamaran sailboats are to be a product manufactured in the United States and sold internationally.

Additionally, Stiletto will operate a sailing and foiling school here, Phillips said. Each course of instruction will last five days and enroll four students. Most students are expected to be non-residents, thus benefitting Columbia’s overnight lodging facilities, restaurants and shops, he commented.

Stiletto comes in three versions for racing or family fun, Phillips explained. The boat is shallow draft, trailerable, fast (up to 34 knots), relaxing, safe, and stable. It accommodates six with small cabin, head, cooler, and auxiliary engine.

Phillips said the standard boat will sell for about $90,000 with customizing available once it comes off the assembly line.

He expects to produce one boat every two weeks at first, increasing the rate eventually to one every three days.

Phillips asked the commissioners to sponsor a Stiletto grant application to the Golden LEAF Foundation. No dollar amount was mentioned.

He also asked the county leaders to consider leasing the Flair Building on U.S. 64 East to Stiletto for additional manufacturing capacity and outdoor sailboat display. The county commissioners have been trying for several years to sell the metal building and six-acre tract beside Tyrrell Hall.

Phillips said the principals of Stiletto Manufacuring Inc. are Jay Phillips, director; Mike Reardon, chief operating officer; Meg Phillips, brand managment; Charles Ogletree, general advisor; Charles Ogletree Jr., (Olympic sailing gold medalist) technical advisor; Mary Lou Everett, financial officer; Robin Fleming, real estate and property manager; Ron Nicol, technical expert; Guy Graffius, boat owner relations; and R. Daniel Smith, capital investments.

Phillips spoke to Tyrrell commissioners, with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, for nearly an hour on Dec. 1.