The company was founded by Potts and his wife Dianne in 1989. Scout Boats are manufactured in a state-of-the-art facility in Summerville, South Carolina. Keeping customers coming back is a high priority at Walt Disney World. Scout Boats are built using 100% hand-laid fiberglass construction, and the detailed finishing of the bilges and unseen sides of all the doors, lids, and hatches is unsurpassed in this price range. Maybe thats where they want to be, rather than a runabout or cruiser or some other type of boat. A younger Potts races an early-model Scout back in the day. A: It was a very humble beginning just myself, my wife [Dianne] and a helper, literally in a brick barn or a garage. Looking for Steve Potts online? By using the any of our websites and/or making online requests of products, you agree to the terms and conditions of EPGs Policy. So I think theres a little bit of a trend and growth in that market segment, but I dont think its a huge market segment as far as the number of boats that are being sold. The design I started with was a real high-end, real finely finished fishing boat sort of a simple boat, but it was still a saltwater fishing boat. Plus, with options like outriggers and trolling motors, Scout has everything you need to make your time on the water as productive (or relaxing) as you want it to be. Stainless accents can be found throughout, while two single beds come together to make one large King berth. We want you to know that we respect the privacy and security of our users. Thats how we got started. Meaning, once the founder has moved on and is in their twilight years, they step away from it and theres not the youth behind them. Boatbuilding is very passionate. In 2019, CEO Steve Potts says, it will be closer to about 700. Scout's 420 LXF, in development for three years, will be introduced in February at the Miami boat show. On deck, the Scout 42 has wide side decks for easy movement around the boat. "We've married the two worlds with this design." With 22 degrees of deadrise at the transom and a relatively narrow hull form (10-foot, 9-inch beam) for this type of boat, the 345SFX will run through the . Then I just sort of fell into R&D working with my dad and one other guy sanding plugs. They want to enjoy it, they want to use it, and after its three or four years old they dont want it to sit out there and not be used because its all ragged out. Scout Boats Location 2531 Hwy 78 W, Summerville, South Carolina, 29483, United States Description Read More Industry Motor Vehicle Dealers Retail Discover more about Scout Boats I have done what they do, and I know what its like when they go home. If you have difficulty accessing features or functions on this website, email us at info@scoutboats.com and we will work with you to provide the information you seek and/or call our customer service line at 843-821-0068. 0 for charter 2 for sale. It was, I guess, from famine to feast. Weve had a lot of heated moments where he wants to do something, and Ive said, No, Ive learned more what not to do than what to do, and were not going to do that. Over time, Ive basically succumbed to him. How did you get the company going and what were some of the early hurdles? What, Engineered to travel off the beaten track in total. Scout Boats are actually built in Thailand!Thats right, these top-quality vessels are crafted in Asia. Q: Scout has taken the functionality of a sportfishing boat and combined it with luxuries and comforts. It had to be built lighter and stronger, and thats where we started using a hefty amount of carbon fiber and epoxy with the superstructure and the hull. The 420, a model that's been nearly three years in the making, is set to be debuted during a press conference in the Scout Boats booth inside the Miami Beach Convention Center . The 420 also provides customizable features for its owner, such as custom painted engines and a SureShade integrated retractable awning. Bid. Soundings Trade Only caught up with Potts to ask him about starting his boatbuilding business with the $50,000 he was able to squirrel away in the 1980s, and working a night job repairing fiberglass bathtubs and during the day as plant manager at American Sail. Epoxy is a different animal in that its got to be post-cured. Q: Scout has been a real success story during some tough times. Having been in the marine industry since I was 14, I knew that one day I wanted to do my own thing and apply all the things Id learned to do and learned not to do. We lean on her to help us develop the most sophisticated composite parts that we can. From the very first 14-footer to the now expansive offering of more than 20 class-leading models ranging from 17- 42, one of the many consistent items that sets Scout apart from other manufacturers is product quality. Great place to learn and build your future like to come back and further my career if your willing to work to grow scout boats is the place for you and your parents Was this review helpful? So we started out with a little 14- and 15-foot design that was sort of a derivative from the mid- to late-60s, when I worked for a little local dealership that built a boat called Scout. $1 Million - $5 Million. I worked in the rigging department for a few years, and then I worked in warranty. Scout was founded with a handful of employees and a couple of molds in a small brick building back in 1989 by Steve and his wife Dianne Potts. We highly recommend giving them a call if youre in the market for a new boat you wont be disappointed! The 420 LXF is the sixth model in this category to date, headlining the 255, 275, 300, 320 and 350 LXF models. Its evolved over the years from handlaid, going to some infusion, and with the bigger boats we started to use more epoxies. Boats are like everything else: you get what you pay for. During that two-year period our competitors hardly came out with anything. Effective January 1, 2022, Steve Potts moves full time to CEO of the company; Dave Wallace has been named Scout President; William Ferguson has been promoted to Vice President of Manufacturing; Courtney Guice has elevated to Administrative Vice President; Stevie Potts is Vice President of Product Development & Engineering. Hurricane Hugo leveled the barn, and son Stevie, only 12 at the time, helped his parents salvage what they could. This vessel is a great option for those who want quality and comfort. Ive been a boatbuilder all my life, starting in my teens, said Steve Potts. Fortunately, weve only had four positive tests, which is beating the odds in our county and state. I wanted to work shoulder to shoulder with pretty much everyone on the plant floor. No one else in the industry has even come close. Thats just the opposite here. Scout Boats 255 LXF. Because we developed so many new models, we kind of reinvented the company. Have you been able to keep up with demand and what kind of backlogs do you have? I personally studied the art of boatbuilding and taught myself how to do it better for 20 years. Along with Steves son Stevie, and daughters Sherrie and Stephanie, who also have key roles in the business, Scout employs nearly 450 dedicated employees today (with plans to hire an additional 100+ employees over the next 12 months) across an expanded multi-building campus as their headquarters. Theyve even created a series of short videos that bring you into the facility and show you exactly how the boats are made differently, and made better. It features a spacious deck with plenty of room for gear, plus a comfortable cabin that can accommodate up to four people. The South Carolina native and father of three says he has always taken a conservative approach to business. The Connecticut Marine Trades Association will accept nominees for the Jeanne Czel Person of the Year Award until March 15. A native of Goose Creek, South Carolina, Representative Mace is currently in her first . Scout Boats is the leading independent boat manufacturer in the recreational marine industry. Q: And what about the shift into larger boats? So two-thirds of that investment is dedicated to Plant C and the other third is for improvements not only on the site, but also in some of the existing factory. Q: Youre adding factory space. If you prefer gear that looks stylish and modern, then Scout might not be the best choice as their designs are fairly traditional.However, if you value function over form then Scouts products could be exactly what youre looking for. We have estimated Steve Potts's net worth , money, salary, income, and assets. Digital switching, we were one of the first companies to build digital from analog as far as wiring. He is a member of famous with the age 54 years old group. Weve added to a lot of the interior of Plant B, in particular bridge cranes. Earlier this week, NMMA members Scout Boats and Sportsman Boats welcomed Representative Nancy Mace (R-SC-01) to an on-water showcase of their respective products made in Summerville, South Carolina. Steve Potts, Scout Boats, Inc. Tim Schiek, Sea Ray Group Doug Smoker, Smoker Craft, Inc. Mark Speaks, Yamaha Watercraft Group Paxson St. Clair, Cobalt Boats Jeff Stone, Skeeter Boats Inc. Rick Tinker, Skiers Choice Peter Truslow, Edgewater Power Boats Bill Yeargin, Correct Craft, Inc. Whether youre looking for a weekend getaway or extended cruising, the Scout 42 is an excellent choice. I welded some brackets, mocked up and laminated and basically made a one-off mold for a balcony, and put it on the side of the 42 prototype hull that we had in R&D. Employee retention right now is obviously a huge thing. Its a much cleaner process. Meet Ferrari & Ri, Say hello to the fastest electric jet ski ever mad, @dolcegabbana turns interior design into a way of, Skip the traffic with these private performance he, Swipe to see a private jet accessory that took 1,0, Electric vehicles are very popular by demand. Are, Preparing for takeoff w/ @grantcardone , Riding the Red Sea in luxury Q: This segment has been one of the few weve seen make a rebound. Salary: $1 million. Q: Many companies that actually grew during the tough years say they were conservatively run, which enabled them to step up model rollouts in those lean times. Ralph O. Scout Boats has grown steadily for the last 22 years and now builds fishing and day-cruising boats from 14 to 35 feet. Copyright 2023 Great Lakes Boating | Published by Harris Publishing, Inc. He withdrew from the project. I think brands and companies have come and gone [due to] the lack of having a succession plan. This Policy also describes the choices you can make about how we collect, use and disclose your information when you provide it to us on any EPG Media & Specialty Information properties will not collect, use or disclose your personal information other than in compliance with this Policy. A $40 million yacht belonging to Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos was untied from its mooring at a Lake Huron marina, police said. I made up my mind that as soon as I made $50,000, that was going to be at the point where I was going to start my business. Table of Contents. Wood-free construction, 100% hand laid fiberglass, finished lids and hatches, attention to every detail and process from the upholstery fabric to how the boot stripe is painted. When you get somebody that spends the kind of money that is spent on our models and theyve experienced an automobile thats in and around that same budgeted price, every other thing theyre exposed to [is more user-friendly]. Its Miami launch will be part of a. The guy I was renting the brick barn from rebuilt and we moved back in February or March of 1990. Scout Boats was founded in 1989 by Steve Potts, who to this day, continues to maintain his presence on the shop floor working on Scout models. All these T-tops had always been made out of round tubing and straight sticks, and we put curve in our T-tops. Scout Boats, Inc. warrants to the Original Purchaser that the hull and deck of the boat will be free from manufacturing defects for a period of FIVE (5) YEARS from the date of purchase by the Original Purchaser.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'boatingbuddy_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_8',109,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-boatingbuddy_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Yamahas Scout Boat is a versatile watercraft thats perfect for both fishing and recreation. We dont get snow in Charleston, but I think where we were there was 10 inches of accumulation, which is unheard of. Gear, plus a comfortable cabin that can accommodate up to four people in,... Accents can be found throughout, while two single beds come together to make one large berth... Hugo leveled the barn, and with the age 54 years old group,! In a state-of-the-art facility in Summerville, South Carolina, Representative Mace is currently in her first want and. 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