Alfred E. Luders Sr.

Alfred E. Luders Sr. (1878 or 1879 – April 7, 1964) was an American boatbuilder and founder of Luders Marine Construction Company, a prominent Stamford, Connecticut, yacht yard that operated for 60 years (1908–1968). Born in New York City, he graduated from the Webb Institute of Naval Architecture and gained early experience at sea as an engineering cadet on a Clyde Line steamer in 1908, followed by draftsman roles at major shipyards including Newport News (Virginia), Lewis Nixon (Elizabethport, New Jersey), and John Brown (Clydebank, Scotland).
In 1908, with just $1,000 in savings, he founded his yard in Byram, Connecticut (initially focused on small craft and repairs). He relocated it in 1912 to a larger facility on Harbor Drive in Stamford Harbor, where it grew into a respected custom builder known for high-quality large yachts (especially custom powerboats like the 107-foot motoryacht Robador in 1929), sailboats, commuters, and military vessels. The yard designed and built over 1,000 yachts in its history, contributing significantly to the war effort during both World Wars (e.g., minesweepers, patrol craft, and other naval boats in WWII under his son Bill's later leadership).