ABOUT US PAGE - THE STORY BEHIND POLYTEC MARINE
Built from a lifetime on the water. Driven by a vision nobody else could see.
BRUCE FRIEND — DESIGNER & FOUNDER
"I spent 50 years looking for this boat. When I couldn't find it — I had it built to our design.”
Some people discover the water. Bruce Friend was born to it. Growing up in Washington and Oregon, Bruce developed a love for boats at a very young age and never looked back. The water has been the constant thread through every chapter of his life. Fifty-five years ago Bruce planted roots in Alaska. Since 1973 he has worked in sales while keeping boats at the center of everything he does. Distributing marine products across the Alaska market, he had his hands on more boats than most people see in a lifetime. He studied them. Tested them. Listened to what customers wished they had.
One thing kept coming up — nobody was building the boat Alaska actually needed. So Bruce dug in. He researched materials, manufacturing and design. He talked to hunters, fishermen, village operators, commercial users, and coastal families. He took notes. He drew sketches. And over time, a vision took shape — the PolyTec Marine 20' Drop Bow Landing Craft.
THE VISION
A boat for everyone. Built for everywhere.
Bruce's vision was simple — build a boat that doesn't choose its customer. Most boats are designed for one thing. A fishing boat. A work boat. A recreational boat. Bruce wanted something different — a vessel that performs equally well whether you're hauling supplies to a remote village, accessing a backcountry hunting area, running coastal waters, or loading up for a weekend adventure.
"Where roads end, PolyTec begins."
WHY AMERICAN MADE MATTERS
Designed in Alaska. Built in Wyoming. Delivered to your world.
Many boats today are manufactured overseas — with shipping costs, supply chain delays, and quality standards that are hard to control from stateside. When something goes wrong, accountability can be thousands of miles away. We chose a different path. By partnering with Legacy HDPE — an American manufacturer in Wyoming — we keep quality, cost, and timeline in our hands. That's our commitment to you. A fair price. A reliable product. A team you can actually call.
CYNTHIA LANGE — Marketing & Operations
Behind every great builder is someone who helps bring the vision to life. Cynthia Lange is a Licensed Professional Counselor who brings deep listening and clear communication to everything she does. Based in Alaska in summer and Idaho in winter, Cynthia oversees marketing, operations, and the PolyTec Marine brand story — connecting Bruce's boats with the people who need them most.
Together they are dreamers, doers, and achievers — and PolyTec Marine is the result.
WHERE TO FIND US
Alaska summers. Idaho winters. Nationwide year round.
Whether you're navigating Coastal Alaska, the Yukon, the Rogue, the Susitna, the Kenai, the Snake, the Columbia, the Gulf Coast, or even the Great Lakes — we're here to help you find the right boat for your world.
Reach us anytime:info@polytecmarine.com Or call Bruce directly at 907.250.4033
OUR MANUFACTURING PARTNER
Proudly manufactured by Legacy HDPE — Wyoming, USA
Every PolyTec Marine boat is exclusively manufactured by Legacy HDPE — American specialists in recycled UV stabilized UHMW polyethylene. This domestic partnership means every hull is built to Bruce's design standards, with full accountability from design to delivery.
Built in America. Built from 100% recycled material. Built to last a lifetime.
Recycled UVStabilized UHMW · Corrosion Proof · UV Stabilized · Impact Resistant · Built to Outlast Wood, Fiberglass, Aluminum and even Steel.