About
Building AirboatsSince 1986
Louisiana Custom Airboats began as Mark's Airboats in 1986. Today we build commercial, government and recreational airboats in Franklin, Louisiana.
Our history
From Mark's Airboats to Louisiana Custom Airboats
Before 1986 – Today
Before 1986
Mark Robicheaux spent ten years in his father Ray Robicheaux's airboat rental business: repairing the fleet, driving boats for clients, building new boats and running the crew.
1986
Mark opened Mark's Airboats to build and service airboats, in a small shop he built by hand behind his house.
1989
The business outgrew the first shop and moved to a larger one just off Main Street.
1996
A move to two acres and a shop built for airboats: over 11,000 square feet with a parts house, mechanic and rigging stations, fabrication stations and a sound-proof polymer booth.
The Next Generation
In early 2026, Mark's daughter, Caroline, and her husband, Avery, became the owners and renamed the shop Louisiana Custom Airboats.
Today
We continue to build commercial, government and recreational airboats and handle repairs and parts from our shop in Franklin, Louisiana, growing the business and carrying the legacy and its high standards forward.
Where it started
Mark's Airboats
Mark Robicheaux learned airboats working alongside his father, Ray, in the airboat rental business. In 1986 he opened Mark's Airboats in a small shop behind his house, and that's where the legacy was born.
Family Owned
Caroline & Avery
Every boat still leaves the Franklin shop built to the standard Mark set in 1986.
The crew
Our Fabricators & Mechanics
Every boat is built and repaired in the Franklin shop by fabricators and mechanics with years in the trade. Come by and see the work in person.
- 1986
- Building airboats since
- 11,000+
- Square foot shop
- 2
- Acres in Franklin
Every Trade in One Shop
- 01
Fabrication & Welding
Hulls and custom metal work built and welded at the shop's fabrication stations.
- 02
Rigging
Engines, drives, propellers and controls installed at dedicated rigging stations.
- 03
Engine Mechanics
Engine service, repair and diagnosis at dedicated mechanic stations.
- 04
Polymer
Polymer installed on hull bottoms in a sound-proof polymer booth.
- 05
Seating & Upholstery
Bench and driver's seats built and upholstered to order.
- 06
Parts House
A full-service parts house in the same building.
Louisiana Custom Airboats
Built in Franklin.
Talk to the Shop.
Custom builds, boats for sale, repairs and parts.