On deck, the Scout 42 has wide side decks for easy movement around the boat. "For 50 years I've had my hands on my craft, and on building a successful business. 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. In addition to his role at Scout Boats, Potts is also an active philanthropist. How much are you growing? I worked my way up and became a manager. He is a member of famous with the age 54 years old group. We started sculpturing the seating and introducing some new contrasting colors and doing a lot of things like that. Thats who we are. It features a spacious deck with plenty of room for gear, plus a comfortable cabin that can accommodate up to four people. I know this because they happened to go to the same vendor that I was working with at the time. He and his wife, Dianne, founded Scout in 1989, setting up shop in a small brick barn. The 251 is the best multispecies saltwater fishing boat on the market. You dont need anything different. Steve Potts has been working as a Owner at Scout Boats for 34 years. This privacy policy (this Policy) describes the personal information we may collect from you, the purposes for which we collect it, how we use it and when we may share it with third parties. In that building we have what we call Plant A and Plant B. A: We still build four models today that incorporate the Air-Assist hull design, which is what we started with in 1989. Since its founding more than three decades ago, the company's goal has been to manufacture the best-built boats in its distinctive sportfishing niches. A: Having a conservative philosophy about growing the business, the facility that we have now is all under one roof and it was built in five phases. Youll find a two burner glass stove cooktop, microwave, flush mount 32 flat screen TV, DVD player, galley sink, drawer refrigerator, enclosed shower area with sump and an enclosed head area with a full size toilet and sink with hot and cold water. These are all things that are important to the boat. 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. I think thats what consumers want today. 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 . Q: How do Scouts hold up for resale? Scout is a debt-free company. For instance, our reverse-angle transom is aesthetically pleasing. Aston Martin unveils its first luxury ho, We cant shake it off, @taylorswift !! Printer Friendly View Address: 2531 W 5TH North St Summerville, SC, 29483-9640 United States . They can use them as a tender, as a cruiser, and some of the boats, the 35s and 30, we have accommodations below deck that can make them a weekender if they want that. Weve built a team here that will continue to take us into the future, said Potts. Scouts built a reputation for being first-to-market with innovations throughout its history, and the 420 carries the company philosophy forward with perks like the optional hydraulic port side beach platform with stowable pocket ladder ideal for boarding/de-boarding safely away from the transom and engines and the optional three Garmin 17 or 19 touch screens at the helm. Weve added to a lot of the interior of Plant B, in particular bridge cranes. Scout has revolutionized the coastal fish boat market. 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Within the marine industry, there are numerous manufacturers producing all types of boats for consumers, but none with as much thought and effort as Scout puts into its models. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? Contact Steve directly. According to our Database, He has no children. 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. It seems to me that is one of the things as an industry we have to change. We sold Boston Whaler, Bertram, Thunderbird and Ranger Bass boats, so I kind of learned the characteristics of quality boats. 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. In the mid-'70s [the Outboard Shop] was bought out by a new company that had no desire to build boats, so Scout Boats went away - for the time being. 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. Read Next: An exclusive interview with Scout Boats President, Steve Potts, describing the 53 LXF, Scout's largest boat to date! 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. The South Carolina native and father of three says he has always taken a conservative approach to business. 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. That helps us with the brand image that we have. We are very transparent and very inspirational. Today and since 2009 Scout has had, on average, better than 25 percent annual growth. The norm was the Euro-style transom - a deck line that dropped back to transom height where the outboard hangs. The 15 was a wider and longer version of it. Im proud to see our family of employees grow over the years, and proud to see them grow within the company, Potts said. Dave has been my right hand for 22 years running the day-to-day operations, and it's only fitting that he assumes the role of president for the company he's been so crucial in helping grow for more than two decades.". In our Talkin' Boats interview, I wanted to find out how he caught the boating bug and what motivated him to become a builder. We review everything with our employees. Scout boats are definitely a high-quality option when it comes to choosing a boat. At an early age I learned what made running surfaces effective. Some of these family-founded and operated builders who have succeeded over generations, like the Slikkers and Tiara/Pursuit, and the St. Clairs with Cobalt. The company was founded in 1989 by Steve Potts, who is still the CEO and owner today. The man behind the company is president and CEO Steve Potts. We dialed it in and incorporated it in our boats. We have always been a family owned-and-operated company, and I'm proud to say our Scout family is comprised of both blood and non-blood individuals. 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. Our deck goes inside of the hull, which is different from most builders. We have always been a family owned-and-operated company, and Im proud to say our Scout family is comprised of both blood and non-blood individuals., Ive always seen myself as a visionary, and my role as CEO will allow me to focus much more on that aspect, but in no way does it take me away from Scout, add Potts. That show was kind of a depressed show, but when we came away we had list of 31 dealers that wanted to sell our little boats. We do a lot of things that are unique. They typically are handsome, with impressive workmanship and fit and finish. Timeless styling, sleek aesthetics and technology are three main pillars of this flagship. We dont have much information about Hes past relationship and any previous engaged. It will be interesting to see where that goes. For more information on Scout, visit www.scoutboats.com. I was impressed with the designs of the Moppies and Bertrams. "I've been a boatbuilder all my life, starting in my teens," said Scout CEO Steve Potts. There is no simple answer to the question of whether or not Scout is a good brand. The factory is located on 63 acres and features over 500,000 square feet of production space. Newly developed battery system suitable for electric and hybrid propulsion. Have you been able to keep up with demand and what kind of backlogs do you have? Things were going well, and we were very profitable and the next big challenge that hit us was the Great Recession. Early on, we were scrutinized, especially by our competition, that it was too pretty. One was General Recreation, which had headquarters in Albuquerque, N.M. Required fields are marked *. I don't know if it's going to be the common motor that you'll see every day out on the water. Either people getting out of it or moving in a different direction or whatever. Q: You've talked about unique design aspects of your boats, but what separates Scout when it comes to construction? 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. Heres what you need to know about the Scout 42:The Scout 42 is a luxurious cruising yacht that was designed with comfort in mind. steve potts scout boats net worth Home Are they becoming more family boats because of the styling and comfort, combined with functionality? Other recent Scout 53s went to a Vegas casino owner and a Latin pop star. Palumbo Superyachts confirms its strong interest in the Ancona area and thanks to the market conditions that are rewarding the shipyard, it has decided to build a new shed. A: We always have a minimum of four new boats going at a time. We have our own R&D facility and we do just about everything as far as design and tooling. I have always been infatuated with ships and boats. 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. Centounonavi Vespro construction proceeding fast. Scout Boats has grown steadily for the last 22 years and now builds fishing and day-cruising boats from 14 to 35 feet. Scout Boats, Inc. has made a number of personnel changes at its South Carolina-based headquarters. I personally studied the art of boatbuilding and taught myself how to do it better for 20 years. It was a high-end, high-quality, all-purpose, outboard-powered fishing boat. A younger Potts races an early-model Scout back in the day. How many outboards can you strap on a transom? Potts started Scout Boats in 1989 with his brother, Scott. We put the pieces back together. Those designs are very versatile. Copyright 2023 Great Lakes Boating | Published by Harris Publishing, Inc. How did this develop? Q: How is your work force projected to grow? And if youre looking for a boat that can handle rough waters, Scouts deep-V hull is up to the task. Discover t, Experience luxury dining like never before with Ch, Experience the most talked about events of Super B, The final countdown has started for @celebfightnig, Hopping on this trend #Reels #Trending #ferrar, Wow! The company was founded by Potts and his wife Dianne in 1989. Sta-Lok Terminals Ltd. is returning as the Official Standing Rigging Supplier for the upcoming edition of the Clipper Race. I think 60 percent of the brands are homogenous - a blend of what a handful of companies do in creating trends and looks and design and function. Q: Other than Scout boats, what boats do you admire? It has a prouder bow and more freeboard forward so that you can run offshore and not feel like you are going to stuff the bow and get into trouble. This vessel is a great option for those who want quality and comfort. Boats are like everything else: you get what you pay for. January 4, 2022. We use a reverse shoebox hull-deck joint. What is this new boat is all about? I asked my PR agency, how can we do something so that this doesn't impact [Scout's] reputation? Q: Is there a lack of innovation in the marine industry? For 50 years Ive had my hands on my craft, and on building a successful business. Steve Potts Height, Weight & Measurements. It's basically two tunnels that have horizontal planing surfaces outboard, before you reach the chines. Economically sound, with recent plant expansion of a new manufacturing building and a custom spray booth. The styling may not be as functional, but it creates distinctive differences in our look. The Critchfield was a long and skinny pointed-bow boat with a lot of horsepower - 150 hp, which was the biggest anyone made at the time. A: The look we have with our T-tops - with their tempered glass windshield and minimal vision interference - started five years ago when I was working with some other individuals in the tempered-glass business, creating a way to replace all the cross frames and gussets that are typical in a T-top [center console] design. But in addition to the building, were expanding our parking lot. A: What pushed my button was I knew over the past couple years there were some things going on with companies developing the same concept [with tempered glass]. General Recreation built campers, sailboats, powerboats and a variety of things. Manage Settings A: Thats right. When we started, I knew the business model had to be something very simple and conservative. The importance of uniform thickness is critical to our methodology, too. Courtney Guice, administrative vice president. 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. It was, I guess, from famine to feast. Michigan Celebrates Small Business recognized the West System manufacturer with its 50 Companies to Watch award. We basically as a family, brick by brick, unloaded what was underneath the building that was leveled and we salvaged what we could. In addition, Scout Boats manufactures a full range of sizes . My biggest concern is that some of these brands are bigger and have a larger chest of money to promote their product than we do. That really helped me. Our goal is to provide you with an experience that delivers the information, resources and services that are helpful to you. That was really important to me - I wanted people to know it was a Scout, even without seeing the name on the side. Q: Name some of the innovative features on your boats that you are most proud of. I have done a lot of experimenting with hull bottoms to get better speed, better fuel efficiency, a softer ride. We want you to know that we respect the privacy and security of our users. If its a young couple out of school just starting their careers and their budget means theyre going to be able to get a 17-foot boat, as long as were doing our job we want to be there for them. Because we developed so many new models, we kind of reinvented the company. A: Having distinctive features and styling that differentiates us is extremely important. Every one of those things I knew we needed to get right. Down below, the appointments resemble the elegance of those on a private jet. Steve Potts's income source is mostly from being a successful . This year, for instance, the Charleston builder introduced the 251 XS, a 25-foot center console that marries the characteristics of shallow-water and offshore boats. 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. 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. 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. Standard features throughout include a full transom walk-thru platform (with optional dive ladder); a side boarding door; gas shock-assisted hatches; flush mount cleats and rod holders; port and starboard floor fish boxes with overboard diaphragm discharge; a patented powder coated hardtop with curved glass enclosure; under hardtop/under gunnel LED lighting; a three-person aft facing cockpit seat; two retractable fresh water hoses; a retractable raw water hose; and Eco-Teak swim platform, transom door, bow table and helm footrest, just to name a few. In its nearly 30-year history, Scout has established its presence and continually gains market share each and every year at a significant rate against competitors that have been around for much longer. The bottoms of all of our fiberglass lids were polished. A: It was a very humble beginning just myself, my wife [Dianne] and a helper, literally in a brick barn or a garage. Also learn how He earned most of networth at the age of 53 years old? One of the things thats unique about Scouts is the fit and finish. It was something we spent a lot of time on. I have a great deal of respect for - and I want my company to emulate - some of the pioneers that did things that were different, like what Dick Fischer did with Boston Whaler. Scout is one of the most respected boat builders in the marine industry, not only due to their cutting edge innovations, but also by the way they run their company and treat their employees. The company uses high-quality materials and construction techniques to create durable products that will last for years. He and his wife, Dianne, began building 14- and 15-foot boats out of . 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 420 also provides customizable features for its owner, such as custom painted engines and a SureShade integrated retractable awning. The new 50m luxury yacht is a unique project fully realised by Enrico Gobbi - Team for Design. And one of the first boats that I had was a Critchfield. July 9, 2022; . It was a galvanized shed with a dirt floor. LXF for us is luxury fishing vessels. We will not vacate the small boats, just because we have always had the philosophy that we want to keep people in our brand. They're passionate boatbuilders. William Ferguson, vice president of manufacturing. They offer an impressive lineup of vessels, from small fishing boats to large yachts, and their customer service is top-notch. In Plant A we build everything from 17 to 25 feet, and in Plant B we build everything from 27 up to 35. It was really myself, my wife, and at the time my 12-year-old son, who today is the vice president of development, and my 9-year-old daughter. Manager, Human Resource. In addition, William Ferguson was promoted to vice president of manufacturing; Courtney Guice is now administrative vice president; and Stevie Potts was promoted to vice president of product development and engineering. I think there is market share for us to gain. In order to achieve this goal, we may collect information from you. The flybridge provides ample seating and excellent visibility.And when it comes to performance, this boat does not disappoint she cruises at 18 knots and has a range of over 350 miles. 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