Metan Marine: The Story of Mike Borrelli and Masterful Boat Restoration

A large brown Labrador greets me in the parking lot of an unassuming industrial park in rural Lakeville, Massachusetts. From the outside, you would never guess this is the workshop of one of the country’s most respected boat restorers. Step into the compact showroom and you’ll spot a meticulously rebuilt 1979 Formula Sportsman—stringers and all—crafted by Metan Marine’s crew. It’s that kind of work that explains the shop’s reputation.

The Labrador, Angelo (who, the owner jokes, looks more like a Gus), settles near the door as I meet Metan founder and owner Mike Borrelli, 58. Warm, energetic and magnetic, Borrelli welcomes me like family. Both native New Yorkers, we spend several minutes trading memories of shared neighborhoods before taking a seat at his conference table. What I expect to be a short interview turns into more than two hours of storytelling, shop tours and introductions. I meet his father, who drops by; his son Joe, widely regarded as Metan’s heir apparent; and a rotating cast of craftsmen who make up Borrelli’s close-knit team. That’s the Mike Borrelli effect—personality paired with near-magician skills in epoxy and fiberglass that brings boats from all over the country to his door.

From Docks to a Dedicated Restoration Shop

Borrelli’s path to founding Metan Marine combined grit, serendipity and a knack for recognizing opportunity. Early in his career he turned fishing and boating experience into a job as a mate on a 42-foot Hatteras. With an automotive background, a bottle of West System epoxy and a copy of Introduction to Fiberglass Repair, he began handling small fixes. Word of his competence spread along the docks, and that steady stream of work laid the groundwork for his future business.

A pivotal moment came at age 28 during a family vacation to Stuart, Florida. While his family enjoyed the beach, Borrelli wandered to Boat Builder’s Row and introduced himself to top builders of the day. Those conversations opened his mind to the possibility of a full-time boat-building career.

Back home, with a growing family and the need for reliable income, he balanced charter work with a steady job in beverage distribution—thanks to an older friend and mentor, Stanley Glaskin—while also picking up painting gigs and larger refit opportunities. A chance to strip and rebuild a 54-foot aluminum sportfisherman showcased skills he’d long cultivated with metal and fiberglass. Early projects, including a 23-foot SeaCraft refit that he and his father undertook in a backyard shrink-wrap shed, led him to display completed work at the Boston boat show and attract further clients.

Building Metan Marine: Tenacity and Smart Marketing

Metan’s name—derived from playful riffs on “meticulous” and “anal”—reflects Borrelli’s exacting standards. Turning the enterprise from a side hustle into a thriving restoration business required persistence and savvy. Borrelli was an early adopter of web marketing for the trade: one of the first to launch a Metan website, then moving into YouTube and social media. That online visibility helped the company attract national referrals and high-profile projects.

One productive marketing effort grew into the company’s own TV-style series, Making it Metan, which aired on NBC Sports and Metan’s YouTube channel. Raw, honest and often irreverent, the 13-episode series pulls back the curtain on refits and restorations—think Dirty Jobs meets This Old House, with an Italian-American flavor. For boat enthusiasts and potential clients, the show became a compelling showcase of craft and process.

Growth Through Craftsmanship and Fortuity

Metan’s growth involved a mix of well-timed opportunities and resourceful trades. An insurance payout from a destroyed shed, help from family on new facilities, and barter among contractors helped build the company’s first proper shop. Borrelli even recalls trading early stock purchases for essential equipment—small decisions that kept operations moving forward.

As the team’s reputation strengthened, Metan shifted into more ambitious restorations and refits—what Borrelli calls “heirloom boats.” These are deeply personal vessels with emotional value to their owners: boats restored to the condition they held when passed down or purchased decades earlier. Such projects command significant budgets, and for clients seeking assurance, Metan backs its restorations with a 10-year warranty.

Alongside restorations, insurance-driven fiberglass repairs became a steady source of work. During my visit a Whaler sat in the shop with a reconstructed bow. From any vantage point, the repair was invisible—proof of the team’s high standards and precise workmanship.

High-Profile Builds and Custom Work

Metan’s profile rose even higher with custom new builds, including the Metan Manhasset 17, inspired by the classic 17-foot Boston Whaler. One notable commission was built for late-night TV host Jimmy Fallon, connected to Metan through a referral from musician Billy Joel. Fallon engaged closely in the build, requesting precise customizations—like a specific orange for canvas to match a favorite bag and a white bimini top—and showing genuine appreciation for the fabricators who brought the boat to life.

A video capturing Fallon’s first look at his completed boat reveals his enthusiasm: “This is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” he exclaims, then jokes about refrigerated cup holders. He also praises Gary, Metan’s longtime metal specialist, acknowledging “the sweat and tears and blood” that go into a custom build. Those client reactions underscore the emotional payoff of Metan’s meticulous approach.

The Next Generation and a Family of Builders

At the heart of Metan is family. Mike’s son Joe, now in his 30s, represents the next generation of leadership. Raised among boats and workshops, Joe quietly absorbed the business and its values. He speaks of proving himself to avoid the appearance of nepotism—earning respect through skill, education, and a willingness to learn from other builders and new technologies.

Joe’s pride in the team is evident. Many employees remember him as a toddler running around the shop; others have been lifelong friends. “Our team is a family,” he says. “We put passion into every build. People stay here because they love what they do, and that continuity strengthens our craftsmanship.”

Passion, Personality, and Precision

When it was time to leave, Borrelli—whom I’d met only hours earlier—ended our visit with a warm hug. That blend of big personality and deep technical skill defines Metan Marine: a company built on enthusiasm, tenacity and exacting workmanship. For owners wanting heirloom restorations, precision fiberglass repairs or custom new builds, Metan offers not only craftsmanship but a team that treats every boat with care, pride and an uncommon level of commitment.

This article was originally published in the August 2023 issue.