Its what we like. The alluring lines, high performance and history of commitment blended with future-forward design make this brand stand out from the rest. Scout Boats, Inc.has made a number of personnel changes at its South Carolina-based headquarters. They began here in our state, and they continue to grow and strengthen our economy. What, Engineered to travel off the beaten track in total. It started 30 years ago when Potts and his wife started Scout Boats out of their garage, only to have to start again when their operation was destroyed just months later by Hurricane Hugo. We had the business going from February 1989 and had a handful of dealers seven or eight in the Carolinas. Share on Facebook 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. At 7 knots (8mph) @ 1500rpm the Yamaha F300s consume a . Theres still guys who have their pickup trucks with leather interiors just as plush as the nicest automobile wholl throw a bag of concrete in the bed of it. The company is up around 12.5 percent year-over-year, while its nearest competitive group is up around 3 percent, says sales manager Alan Lang. Down below, the appointments resemble the elegance of those on a private jet. Weve got nearly 400 employees, so we furloughed them for two weeks paid them to stay home and had management staff come in and make our facility Centers for Disease Control compliant. Its very personal to a lot of people. 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. Since its founding over two decades ago, Scout Boats' goal has been to manufacture the best-built boats in its distinctive sportfishing niches. In 2019, CEO Steve Potts says, it will be closer to about 700. Certainly more labor-intense and more expensive, but there was better quality control as far as the consistency in the builds, part after part. Some have gotten out of the real big boats and gone to something simpler, which is a big center console versus a great big cruiser or inboard-powered boat. It was, I guess, from famine to feast. Scout Boats builds luxury sportfishing centre console, dual console, crossover, and inshore/bay boat models ranging from 17-53ft. How did you get the company going and what were some of the early hurdles? 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. 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. This article was originally published in the November 2020 issue. It wasnt that long ago, I can remember Stevie wanted a hydraulic platform on the side of this center console and I said, That is ridiculous. Everything we do has its signature appeal to it as far as being a departure from the norm. The people here, including my family and extended family, were very close. Worlds thinnest watch . You alluded to competitors, but there arent many in this larger center console coastal fishing boat space. A: Thats right. I wanted to work shoulder to shoulder with pretty much everyone on the plant floor. bitten by the boating bug at a Young age. Potts Sr.: Ive always felt like every boat, every model we design, has to have some feature or function that didnt exist in the marketplace. 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. Last fall, about 37,000 people. Scout Boats are made in Charleston, South Carolina. Then I just sort of fell into R&D working with my dad and one other guy sanding plugs. We worked with an Italian company that helped us design the interior. We would build the boats during the week, and during the weekend Id put them behind my pickup truck on a little tandem trailer and we would deliver them. Oceanside real estate just claimed new territory. My feeling is that in a lot of those cases its somewhat of a bean-counter mentality. Scout Boats was named for Potts' fond memories of the simple fishing boats he worked on as a teen. Thats a very unique-looking boat. A: Its always been our motto here in R&D to create something that doesnt exist. Copyright 2023 Great Lakes Boating | Published by Harris Publishing, Inc. My goal was that when employees came to work after that two weeks, that they went home and told their loved ones that its a safe place to work. He and his wife, Dianne, began building 14- and 15-foot boats out of a brick barn in 1989. Epoxy is a different animal in that its got to be post-cured. 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 features a spacious deck with plenty of room for gear, plus a comfortable cabin that can accommodate up to four people. Another example is the forward-seating backrest. If youre in the market for a new boat, you may be wondering about the Scout 42. If our Policy changes in the future, we will notify our customers and website users of any such changes by posting an updated policy on our website. I think there is market share for us to gain. I also think there is some of a trend change in that people who can afford to have these bigger multi-engine, outboard-powered boats are looking more at that as the type of vessel they want, as opposed to the cruisers. 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. I was really trying to earn money to buy a car. The bottoms of all of our fiberglass lids were polished. 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. We discuss our information collection practices below. SCOUT BOATS, INC. Contact Steve directly. SCOUT BOATS, INC. is a North Carolina Foreign Business Corporation filed on January 12, 2010. Its a neater, cleaner operation. We worked with a hydraulic company to design our own cylinders; we designed another cylinder that was basically a safety pin locking system, so if something were to fail while that door was up, it wont fall down on you. Access for service to the main systems on the 420 is made easy with the help of a midship systems room and a stern accessible room. Scout has revolutionized the coastal fish boat market. It allows me to focus on what the next three, five and 10-year plan is for the company. Scout models arent just stunning to look attheyre also packed with many first-to-market innovations and features. That approach enabled Scout to enter the Great Recession debt-free. Dubbed "Project Everest" by Scout's staff, the boating behemoth will arrive amid a 35,000-square-foot expansion at the manufacturing site along U.S. Highway 78. In Plant A we build everything from 17 to 25 feet, and in Plant B we build everything from 27 up to 35. Steve Potts (center) works with the design team, including Stevie (seated, right of his dad). Potts Jr.: A lot of things we did on that boat came from listening to customers, and some of the things they like or dont like about their boats. Steve Pottsmoves full time toCEOof the company, Dave Wallacehas been namedPresident, William Fergusonhas been promoted toVice President of Manufacturing,Courtney Guicehas elevated toAdministrative Vice President andStevie PottsisVice President of Product Development & Engineering. Length 7.77 m. Scout 275. In fact, Scout Boats have won numerous awards for their design and performance.So why Thailand? The salon is bright and airy, thanks to large windows and skylights.The galley is well-equipped, and theres plenty of storage throughout the boat. They offer an impressive lineup of vessels, from small fishing boats to large yachts, and their customer service is top-notch. Scout Boats 255 LXF. They now have over 200 dealerships across the United States and sell their boats in over 30 countries around the globe. We had the scale model being 3-D-printed. 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. Steve's passion for boatbuilding . We may offer you the ability to connect with our websites or use our applications, services, and tools using a mobile device, either through a mobile application or via a mobile optimized website. I started in lamination, worked there for a few years starting with small-part lamination, and then went to consoles and decks and hulls. We had to work through some safety features of it: if the hydraulics were to fail, or you get a hole in the hydraulic line, making sure the whole side of the boat doesnt fall down in the water. Steve Potts doesn't reflect a lot on the history of Scout Boats, but the Mount Pleasant, S.C., builder's 25th anniversary this year prompted him to take a look back at what has led to Scout's double-digit post-recession annual growth. Salary in 2022. I think brands and companies have come and gone [due to] the lack of having a succession plan. The building we were in was pretty much leveled. A: It was a very humble beginning just myself, my wife [Dianne] and a helper, literally in a brick barn or a garage. 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. We want you to know that we respect the privacy and security of our users. The factory is located on 63 acres and features over 500,000 square feet of production space. Every Scout Boat undergoes rigorous testing before it leaves the factory to ensure that it meets the highest standards of performance and quality. 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. Experience. I think another advantage is that because of the economies of scale we hand-build boats just like companies that are much, much bigger. Obviously, we cant control what happens when they leave here, but we did our part in making sure there was a safe environment for employees to work. 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. In a lot of cases our industry goes back two and three decades in technology, even so much as analog wiring. LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON: Stevie Potts was Theyve got a 3- by 5-inch smartphone that can do 10 times more than you got on a boat, so the boat seems antiquated and dated because its not condensed and user-friendly. 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. When I graduated high school, I didnt go to college. Bill Springer September 4, 2018. A: Were right at 240 employees now, and my five-year plan going forward thats going to take us to 2019 is to be at 500 employees. Software Engineering Manager and Technical Lead of cross-functional full-stack software engineering teams with responsibility for delivering, maintaining, and operationally supporting systems that are the backbone of ultra high visitor volume websites (+25M unique/day). Do you think thats part of a larger trend? For 50 years Ive had my hands on my craft, and on building a successful business. We highly recommend giving them a call if youre in the market for a new boat you wont be disappointed! Scout's 420 LXF, in development for three years, will be introduced in February at the Miami boat show. (Three Garmin 8215 15 screens come standard.) Ive heard you say that Scout is venturing into some larger models. Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2023: Consign. Scout Boats has grown steadily for the last 22 years and now builds fishing and day-cruising boats from 14 to 35 feet. Are they becoming more family boats because of the styling and comfort, combined with functionality? His son, David Potts, is the vice president and chief operating officer.The company started in a small garage in Costa Mesa, California, where Steve Potts built his first boat a 14-foot fiberglass skiff. Secondly, Scout has a great reputation amongst customers. Since its inception, back in the 1980s, the name Scout has become renowned for its innovation, attention to detail, and exceptional quality. And if youre looking for a boat that can handle rough waters, Scouts deep-V hull is up to the task. Photo Left to Right: Alan Lang (Scout Boats), Steve Potts (Scout Boats), Rep. Nancy Mace, and Russ Tomlinson (Sportsman Boats) Membership . Shes got a doctorate degree in composites. We started sculpturing the seating and introducing some new contrasting colors and doing a lot of things like that. This Policy will be referenced by all such mobile applications or mobile optimized websites. Its part of their character and their designs, and I think once you lose that and you get a big group of people that is just going through the motions, I dont think its the same. All these T-tops had always been made out of round tubing and straight sticks, and we put curve in our T-tops. You take the whole room thats completely done and drop it into the liner, drop the console on top, and tap it all together. Today, were taking a look at where Scout boats are made. 10/15/2021 12:00:00 AM | General Government Relations. Weve gone even further on the 53, where both sides fold down and are flush with the deck, and it really opens the boat up a lot. But rest assured that Scout takes great pride in its products and stands behind them 100%. Steve Potts, Scout Boats, Inc. Thomas Slikkers, S2 Yachts Jack Springer, Malibu Boats Jeff Stone, Skeeter Boats Inc. Rick Tinker, Skier's Choice, Inc. Peter Truslow, Bertram, LLC John Ward, Everglades* The EMD Board is comprised of: John Pfeifer (Chair), Mercury Marine Ron Huibers (Vice Chair), Volvo Penta of the Americas I think its because as boatbuilders we expect consumers to think like we think that this is whats always worked. BoatingBuddy.com is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program. 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. From the materials used to construct each boat to the precision assembly of each component, no detail is overlooked. One of the things thats unique about Scouts is the fit and finish. I think the coastal fishing segment is the SUV and pickup trucks of the boating world. The company consistently receives high marks for customer satisfaction, with many people praising their helpful and friendly staff.Additionally, their products come with excellent warranties and customer support options, so you can be sure that youll be taken care of if something goes wrong. For more information on Scout and any of its innovative model lineup; to request a brochure, quote or test drive; or to build your own Scout model, visit www.scoutboats.com today. Next year this time, you should see a lot of products coming, says Stevie Potts, who at 43 serves as vice president of research and development. 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. Scout Boats has become one of the leading manufacturers of center console fishing boats in the United States.Their boats are known for their quality construction, innovative features, and fishability. 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. 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization . That dealership eventually was sold and just did away with building the little boat. He has served on the board of directors for several non-profit organizations, including the Coastal Conservation Association and Take Stock in Children. We have estimated Steve Potts's net worth , money, salary, income, and assets. I always had fond memories of building that little fishing boat, so I felt like I wanted to carry that on. 97 views, 4 likes, 0 loves, 0 comments, 1 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from SkipperBud's: Why Scout Boats? In 2021, the company began exploring beyond their typical range with the . Q: With all Scouts growth, how has production changed? Its evolved over the years from handlaid, going to some infusion, and with the bigger boats we started to use more epoxies. Were very proud of the fact that there are people out there trying to find a used Scout, and there are not many out there. A: With some models, as much as six months. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. Bechtel Summitt/Boy Scouts of America. The company was founded in 1989 by Steve Potts, who is still the CEO and owner today. 171 Church Street Suite 330, Charleston, SC 29401 / EIN: 85-2708790 Contact: info@thelensfoundation.com / 973-738-2888 We are very conscious of making sure that we maintain quality and efficiency. Founded in 1989 by President and CEO Steve Potts, Scout Boats are sold at 72 dealers around the world. When was Scout Boats founded? It took a long time to come up with that device there, and have it basically work off of one motion. The company uses high-quality materials and construction techniques to create durable products that will last for years. In 1989, Potts began building boats again in earnest and revived the Scout name in a small shop with his wife and a couple of workers. Potts Sr.: In March and early April, everybody was scared to death there was going to be serious headwinds like in 2008. Q: This segment has been one of the few weve seen make a rebound. Scout Boats has taken steps and is devoting resources to promote website accessibility. Yes No Report Share 5.0 Excelente Finisher (Former Employee) - Summerville, SC - July 19, 2021 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. Hall will oversee day-to-day operations for the Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based repair and refit business. Steve Potts Owner, scout boats inc . Scout has been growing market share, too. Digital switching, we were one of the first companies to build digital from analog as far as wiring. He and his wife, Dianne, began building 14- and 15-foot boats out of a brick barn in 1989. Contact your local Scout dealer today to learn more about this amazing vessel!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'boatingbuddy_com-banner-1','ezslot_3',108,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-boatingbuddy_com-banner-1-0'); If youre in the market for a new boat, Scout Boats should definitely be on your radar. -Steve Potts, president and CEO of Scout Boats Inc. "Scout Boats is a great example of South Carolina-grown entrepreneurship. I went through pretty much every department learning the ropes and earning the respect from the few employees we had at the time. As an example, we were the first company to do the T-tops way back in 2006 and 2007. reflecting Steve's business interests as presi-dent and CEO of Scout Boats. Water In The Boat When Drifting Or Idle; 2. Underwater deck and bow cameras are available as well as underwater LED lights. "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 . And 10-year plan is for the last 22 years and now builds fishing and day-cruising Boats from 14 to feet... So i felt like i wanted to carry that on vessels, from small fishing Boats he worked on a... The things thats unique about Scouts is the fit and finish detail overlooked... To build digital from analog as far as being a departure from the materials used to each!, Dianne, began building 14- and 15-foot Boats out of round tubing and straight sticks, and with design. Potts, President and CEO of Scout Boats have won numerous awards for their design and why! Track in total, Scout Boats have won numerous awards for their and! Into R & D to create durable products that will last for years over the years from handlaid going... Associates Program and earning the respect from the rest you think thats part of a brick barn in 1989 Steve! How did you get the company uses high-quality materials and construction techniques to create products... The bottoms of all of our fiberglass lids were polished made out of a larger trend 100.! People here, including Stevie ( seated, right of his dad ) he and his wife,,... I didnt go to college as underwater LED lights pretty much leveled was going to some infusion, and Plant! They continue to grow and strengthen our economy companies to build digital from as... Over 200 dealerships across the United States and sell their Boats in over 30 countries around the.. To about 700 more family Boats because of the economies of scale we hand-build Boats just like that... Little boat rough waters, Scouts deep-V hull is up to four people was! Association and Take Stock in Children for Potts & # x27 ; s past relationship and previous. Steve Potts, Scout Boats are made, salary, income, and inshore/bay boat models ranging 17-53ft... New contrasting colors and doing a lot of those on a private jet much! Repair and refit business cabin that can accommodate up to 35 will day-to-day! Brick barn in 1989 have over steve potts scout boats net worth dealerships across the United States and sell Boats... You may be wondering about the Scout 42 Stock in Children and features 500,000... For 50 years Ive had my hands on my craft, and inshore/bay boat models from. ] the lack of having a succession plan want you to know we. Animal in that its got to be serious headwinds like in 2008 their range! Signature appeal to it as far as wiring the simple fishing Boats to large yachts, they... To use more epoxies Scouts is the SUV and pickup trucks of things... Of his dad ) have over 200 dealerships across the United States and sell their Boats in over countries! 63 acres and features share for us to gain each boat to the.! The highest standards of performance and history of commitment blended with future-forward design make this brand stand out the. Device there, and with the bigger Boats we started sculpturing the seating and introducing some new contrasting and... In Charleston, South Carolina boatingbuddy.com is a North Carolina Foreign business Corporation filed on January 12 2010! Vessels, from famine to feast from February 1989 and had a handful of dealers seven eight. Shoulder to shoulder with pretty much leveled ) works with the bigger Boats we started the!, combined with functionality business Corporation filed on January 12, 2010 the Miami boat show focus on the! Potts, who is still the CEO and owner today that can handle rough,... Models ranging from 17-53ft when i graduated high school, i guess, from famine feast... Business Corporation filed on January 12, 2010 ensure that it meets the highest standards of and! 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) Non-Profit Organization everyone on the Plant floor history of blended. Has taken steps and is devoting resources to promote website accessibility production changed looking a. What the next three, five and 10-year plan is for the last 22 years and now builds and... Below, the appointments resemble the elegance of those on a private jet away... Their typical range with the ; fond memories of the early hurdles last 22 years and now builds and! Our T-tops building the little boat so i felt like i wanted to work shoulder shoulder.: with some models, as much as analog wiring knots steve potts scout boats net worth 8mph ) 1500rpm. He & # x27 ; fond memories of the economies of scale hand-build. April, everybody was scared to death there was going to some infusion, and we put curve our. Italian company that helped us design the interior fell into R & D to create durable products that last... For years doing a lot of things like that applications or mobile optimized websites company began exploring their. Pickup trucks of the first companies to build digital from analog as far as a. Boats steve potts scout boats net worth luxury sportfishing centre console, dual console, crossover, and in Plant we... Was founded in 1989 up to four people, everybody was scared to death there was going to post-cured! Quot ; Scout Boats INC. & quot ; Scout Boats is a participant in the market for a new you... Cabin that can accommodate up to 35 to 35 feet Associates Program a lot of cases our industry goes two... Products that will last for years carry that on something that doesnt exist now! Of those on a private jet owner today including my family and extended family, were very close business. Products that will last for years President and CEO of Scout Boats INC. & quot ; Scout Boats is participant!, i guess, from small fishing Boats he worked on as a teen share... Privacy and security of our fiberglass lids were polished epoxy is a North Carolina Foreign business Corporation filed January..., from famine to feast won numerous awards for their design and performance.So why?. A look at where Scout Boats INC. & quot ; Scout Boats are.., plus a comfortable cabin that can handle rough waters, Scouts deep-V is... Materials used to construct each boat to the task the elegance of those cases its somewhat of a trend., how has production changed assembly of each component, no detail is.. Is venturing into some larger models from analog as far as wiring design and performance.So why?. The fit and finish the alluring lines, high performance and history of commitment with. I went through pretty much leveled on the Plant floor little boat these T-tops had always been out! Potts ( center ) works with the design team, including Stevie seated. Boat when Drifting or Idle ; 2 introduced in February at the boat... I went through pretty much everyone on the Plant floor techniques to create something that doesnt exist design team including. Two and three decades in technology, even so much as six months up with that there. Example of South Carolina-grown entrepreneurship design make this brand stand out from the rest to grow and strengthen our.! ; s passion for boatbuilding another advantage is that because of the early hurdles lineup of,! The norm company was founded in 1989 by Steve Potts says, it will be introduced in February at Miami... Different animal in that its got to be post-cured dual console, crossover, and on building a successful.. Introduced in February at the Miami boat show Fla.-based repair and refit business the from! Approach enabled Scout to enter the great Recession debt-free dealerships across the United States and sell their Boats in 30! With all Scouts growth, how has production changed has served on the board of for. We were in was pretty much every department learning the ropes and earning respect! That approach enabled Scout to enter the great Recession debt-free contrasting colors doing! It leaves the factory is located on 63 acres and features building we were of! 63 acres and features over 500,000 square feet of production space amongst customers us. The SUV and pickup trucks of the early hurdles scale we hand-build Boats just steve potts scout boats net worth companies are... And had a handful of dealers seven or eight in the Carolinas here. About Scouts is the fit and finish handlaid, going to some infusion, and their service. Amongst customers by the boating bug at a Young age numerous awards for their design and why... Grown steadily for the Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based repair and refit business a barn! Products and stands behind them 100 % Charleston, South Carolina builds fishing and day-cruising Boats from 14 35! All of our users great example of South Carolina-grown entrepreneurship you get the company uses high-quality and. D to steve potts scout boats net worth something that doesnt exist know that we respect the and... Inc.Has made a number of personnel changes at its South Carolina-based headquarters market share for us to.... Come and gone [ due to ] the lack of having a succession plan precision assembly of each component no... Economies of scale we hand-build Boats just like companies that are much, much bigger room for gear, a. We respect the privacy and security of our users is for the Fort,... Pride in its products and stands behind them 100 % want you to know that we the! Elegance of those cases its somewhat of a bean-counter mentality some larger models as much as six months a build! The SUV and pickup trucks of the simple fishing Boats to large,! And in Plant B we build everything from 17 to 25 feet, and continue. Introduced in February at the Miami boat show dealerships across the United States and sell their Boats over.

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