We have a lot of customers who would have a deposit or production slot slated for them, and would come to factory, especially plant D, to see other boats in production and get some ideas on what they wanted to have. 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization . Maybe thats where they want to be, rather than a runabout or cruiser or some other type of boat. Early on, we were scrutinized, especially by our competition, that it was too pretty. Founder and Vice President of Research and Development of Scout Boats, 2023 Active Interest Media All Rights Reserved, Annual Branded-Content Special Advertising Sections. And with its large workforce and favorable trade agreements, its an ideal place to build boats for the global market.Of course, some people may be concerned about buying a boat thats made so far away from home. 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. They began here in our state, and they continue to grow and strengthen our economy. . Certainly more labor-intense and more expensive, but there was better quality control as far as the consistency in the builds, part after part. Another facility is planned that, at roughly 22,000 square feet, would nearly double the companys research and development space. This article was originally published in the November 2020 issue. 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. Digital switching, we were one of the first companies to build digital from analog as far as wiring. Die 12.8 Meter lange 420 LXF ist das grte Fischerboot von Scout Pfadfinderboote baut Luxus-Sportfischer-Mittelkonsole, Doppelkonsole, Crossover und Inshore- / Bay-Boot-Modelle von 17 bis 53 Fu. 0 for charter 3 for sale. Scout models arent just stunning to look attheyre also packed with many first-to-market innovations and features. Contact Us Advertising Info Send File Subscribe Privacy Policy, EPG Media LLC wants you to have a positive experience in connection with our products and services. Q: With all Scouts growth, how has production changed? But people wanted to live for the moment. It was a brick building with a galvanized roof. Scout Boats, Inc.has made a number of personnel changes at its South Carolina-based headquarters. Ralph O. Shes outfitted with quad engine configurations, while achieving top end speeds in the 70s. You take the whole room thats completely done and drop it into the liner, drop the console on top, and tap it all together. Our bilges were polished. Potts Jr.: It makes for a much cleaner environment, too. Theres also an optional SeaKeeper gyro stabilizer, flybridge, articulating rocket launchers that work in conjunction with the retractable SureShade, and a 5-N-1 second row seating configuration that won a marine industry innovation award. Then I just sort of fell into R&D working with my dad and one other guy sanding plugs. In that building we have what we call Plant A and Plant B. We discuss our information collection practices below. We review everything with our employees. Vacations . The guy I was renting the brick barn from rebuilt and we moved back in February or March of 1990. I personally studied the art of boatbuilding and taught myself how to do it better for 20 years. The Connecticut Marine Trades Association will accept nominees for the Jeanne Czel Person of the Year Award until March 15. Were conservative about the ramp-up on something. I was really trying to earn money to buy a car. The expanded factory in Summerville will build composite parts for six boat models in the newly designed LXF series, as well as component parts for the new 275 and 320 Dorado series. Thats where the name Scout came from. Photo Left to Right: Alan Lang (Scout Boats), Steve Potts (Scout Boats), Rep. Nancy Mace, and Russ Tomlinson (Sportsman Boats) Membership . Scout Boats are made in Charleston, South Carolina. Scout Boats CEO & Founder Steve Potts will unveil the company's new flagship and LXF fleet leader - the 420 LXF - at this year's Miami International Boat Show. A lot of what we did on that boat was outside of what were used to, but we partnered up with these great people, and it turned out great. COLUMBIA - Scout Boats Inc., a manufacturer of sport fishing boats, is expanding its Dorchester County facility in response to increased customer demand - both domestically and overseas. I want Scout to be successful long after Im gone. Q: And what about the shift into larger boats? Scout Boats, Inc.has made a number of personnel changes at its South Carolina-based headquarters. If someone wants to tournament-fish, they can. Are you expanding your current footprint or adding buildings? Scout added a $13 million expansion to their yard outside of Charleston to accommodate the popular new model's twin-stepped, carbon-epoxy hull design, with plans to build one 530 a month once production is in . A: Im glad you mentioned that because that has been a struggle. Scout Boats are manufactured in South Carolina, USA. Spac, #MansionMonday Fittingly named for the mythologica. 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 reason we have segregated those two boats we have separate stockrooms, separate management, separate offices, separate everything is because the methodology in building the small boats versus the large boats is different. I had a huge passion with design. The survey asks dealers about strategies to improve customer engagement and how much of their business is parts and accessories. They now have over 200 dealerships across the United States and sell their boats in over 30 countries around the globe. Scout Boats Scout boats are world-renowned for their design and range of luxury models from 17' to 53', each packed with timeless innovations, technology and trendsetting features. Do you think the smaller companies will emerge most healthy from this lingering downturn? 2023 NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference (SDC2023). From that point forward, even to this day, our challenge has really been to manage [the growth of] a business with people and training and hiring, the facility and new designs, so it was a different kind of challenge, but a challenge nonetheless. The company was founded by Steve Potts, who is still the owner and president of Scout Boats. SCOUT BOATS, INC. is a North Carolina Foreign Business Corporation filed on January 12, 2010. 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. The South Carolina native and father of three says he has always taken a conservative approach to business. But we came out of the period between 2008 and 2010 with 18 new models. 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. When we got to it a couple of days after and saw what was left of what Id worked for for so long, my emotions were really anger and determination. We had aggressively grown double digits every year. The Volvo Penta parent posted FY22 sales of $45.2 billion, with the marine segment delivering 17,924 engine units. And while the world has changed significantly since they started building boats in a small brick building . Net Worth in 2023: $10 million. We do a lot of things that are unique. In addition to his role at Scout Boats, Potts is also an active philanthropist. The longstanding Summerville, SC boatbuilder has been an industry staple since their arrival in 1988, and in recent years have been systematically increasing in size -- both in terms of boat lengths and their production capability -- particularly within their luxury yacht offering. Theres a specification for each build that is unique to that build. What else is helping the popularity of these boats? He and his wife, Dianne, began building 14- and 15-foot boats out of a brick barn in 1989. We started hearing more from people who say they want a center console sometimes, and sometimes they want more protection. The sold-out NMMA boat show will feature more than 400 boats on display, an increase of 40% over last years event. Scout Boats is one of the few remaining family-owned designers and manufacturers of high-end, luxury fishing boats in the 17 - 53 range. As an example, we were the first company to do the T-tops way back in 2006 and 2007. Scout Boats 245 Abaco Series0 for charter 0 for sale. Theres one hydraulic spinner that makes it do four or five different things. 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. This article originally appeared in the December 2014 issue. Following the posting of such non-material changes, your continued use of any EPGs websites will constitute your acceptance of these changes and you will be bound by such changes. The 420 also provides customizable features for its owner, such as custom painted engines and a SureShade integrated retractable awning. Steve Potts (center) works with the design team, including Stevie (seated, right of his dad). 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. The interior was something completely different from what we were used to doing. I think its because as boatbuilders we expect consumers to think like we think that this is whats always worked. Has that approach resonated with people other than anglers? Overhead, a bar-rel vaulted ceiling paneled with tongue-and-groove wood planks is reminiscent of an inverted ship's hull. How gracefully that brand ages and the reputation of the brand is really tied to what their investment and resale value would be. Year after year, the Research & Development team create stunning new model after new model. We had the scale model being 3-D-printed. Fortunately, weve only had four positive tests, which is beating the odds in our county and state. The boat also comes standard with a Garmin helm Wi-Fi router, Fusion stereo with eight seven inch speakers, amp, forward deck remote control and Bluetooth compatibility, a JBL Sound Bar in the cabin, AGM glass-pack batteries with two chargers, and dimming courtesy under bolster and hardtop lights. And if we dont understand that as much as you can make a pickup truck look stylish and be comfortable to ride in and look nicer than just a utility vehicle, thats the same thing thats going to apply to what we do. The project was re-branded 'Something Cool', a reference to the Heineken family (since Alfred Heineken owned a yacht named Something Cool, which was a reference to his beer brewing company. It will be interesting to see what happens. Ive been a boatbuilder all my life, starting in my teens, said Steve Potts. Q: How is your work force projected to grow? I certainly wish a lot more consumers would pay attention to their investment and not just what the salesman says or the big and shiny boat you see at the boat show because it is a big investment. Were probably conservative as it relates to most other builders in that we dont work outrageous hours, we just dont do some of the things. Ever since Steve Potts founded Scout Boats with his wife Diane in 1989, he's been driven to build better boats. Many boat maintenance tasks are put off due to the A Connector for Nearly Any Global Shore Power Need, Complex Data Reined-in with Stylish Touchscreen, High-Torque Access Plates Shine in Tough Environments, New Pumps Combine High Flow, Low Power Draw, Water Spot Protection Easy as Spraying a Hose. Its a much cleaner process. Seven or eight years ago, we started paying a lot more attention to the creature comforts. -Steve Potts, president and CEO of Scout Boats Inc. "Scout Boats is a great example of South Carolina-grown entrepreneurship. Last Updated: February 2023. Steve Potts is the co-founder and CEO of Scout Boats, a South Carolina-based company that manufactures and sells fishing boats. But dont let that fool you into thinking that theyre not up to par with other boats on the market. We basically as a family, brick by brick, unloaded what was underneath the building that was leveled and we salvaged what we could. COLUMBIA, S.C. - Scout Boats Inc., a manufacturer of sport fishing boats, is expanding its Dorchester County facility in response to increased customer demand - both domestically and overseas. Scout Boats was founded by South Carolina-resident Steve Potts a man that continues to this day to be on the shop floor daily working on the models back in 1989. Since its founding over two decades ago, Scout Boats' goal has been to manufacture the best-built boats in its distinctive sportfishing niches. Scout is a debt-free company. Today, were taking a look at where Scout boats are made. The big center consoles, you can beach them, the economies of running them [are more favorable], the speed there are a lot of advantages there. I worked in the rigging department for a few years, and then I worked in warranty. SCOUT BOATS, INC. Same thing with the 215 Dorado. Notable industry-first innovations over the years include: You cant talk about Scout without talking about its flagship model, the stunning 420 LXF. Washington -- Dianne Feinstein, the press' "raven-haired beauty" of the early 1960s who sailed alone in San Francisco Bay's treacherous waters, has become, at age 79, an institution in California . The 305 is following that same concept; it has a very unique stern design. Considering the new models we have coming out, our inventory levels and whats already presold coming down the pipeline, Lang says, were in a very optimistic situation.. BoatingBuddy.com is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program. 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. By using the any of our websites and/or making online requests of products, you agree to the terms and conditions of EPGs Policy. Salary in 2022. Potts Sr.: We do a lot of plant tours. This site has features that require javascript. Scout Boats has grown steadily for the last 22 years and now builds fishing and day-cruising boats from 14 to 35 feet. Plant C is where we build our LXZ models, and in D, those boats are highly customized. Weve also spent a fair amount of money to get some new CNC cutters. It isnt like flipping a switch or youre just going to build bigger molds and bigger fiberglass pieces.Thats probably going to limit the number of people getting into it. 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. The provisions of this Policy apply to all such mobile access and use of mobile devices. 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. 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. Ralph O. Share on Linked In 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. They are well-crafted and offer features that many other brands simply dont. Scout Boats 255 LXF. Steve Potts,. Oceanside real estate just claimed new territory. You are responsible for regularly reviewing this Policy and any changes thereto. 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. Famous for her roles in "Ghostbusters" in 1984, "Pretty in Pink" in 1986, "Jumpin' Jack Flash" in 1986, "Who's Harry Crumb?" in 1989 and "Ghostbusters II" in 1989. 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? Our goal is to provide you with an experience that delivers the information, resources and services that are helpful to you. Potts Sr.: Stevie and I have not always seen eye to eye. It was certainly a challenge, but once we got it figured out and on the boat, it was a huge hit, and we started putting it on other models. Your engineering support and your quality control and quality assurance programs it isnt something you can take a simple-minded culture of building small center consoles and say, OK, were going to build these big boats. The systems and the features that you offer in them we know this because weve gone through this evolution its a complete commitment by a builder to get into that type of a build. It felt pretty good. Copyright 2023 Boating Industry I came up with the idea of working with one of our vendors to surface-mount them and put this glass panel over the top, to make it look like they were all built-in, sort of like a glass cockpit in an airplane. Our main building is approximately 180,000 square feet. Bill Springer September 4, 2018. It allows me to focus on what the next three, five and 10-year plan is for the company. We had the whole thing built like one giant room, and you have a liner in the deck. I didnt know any way to go about it other than the old-fashioned way, which was to do side jobs, work and put as much money away as I possibly could. Of mobile devices digital from analog as far as wiring simply dont: and what about the shift larger. 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