steve potts scout boats net worth

Everything we do has its signature appeal to it as far as being a departure from the norm. The sold-out NMMA boat show will feature more than 400 boats on display, an increase of 40% over last years event. I personally studied the art of boatbuilding and taught myself how to do it better for 20 years. Stainless accents can be found throughout, while two single beds come together to make one large King berth. 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 going to continue to build a very diverse model mix. Scout's 420 LXF, in development for three years, will be introduced in February at the Miami boat show. The 305 is following that same concept; it has a very unique stern design. The companys most recent expansion, a $13 million project, is for production of the 530 LXF flagship. Scout Boats are actually built in Thailand!Thats right, these top-quality vessels are crafted in Asia. 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. -Steve Potts, president and CEO of Scout Boats Inc. "Scout Boats is a great example of South Carolina-grown entrepreneurship. We worked with an Italian company that helped us design the interior. This Privacy Policy sets forth the privacy principles we follow, in accordance with our operations. That boat was built for five or six years. I personally studied the art of boatbuilding and taught myself how to do it better for 20 years. Scout Boats is the leading independent boat manufacturer in the recreational marine industry. 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 . Vacations . That makes Scout something of an outlier in the boat building business, government data shows. Thats where the name Scout came from. A: Thats right. Do you think the smaller companies will emerge most healthy from this lingering downturn? Im proud to see our family of employees grow over the years, and proud to see them grow within the company. Please check your email for the latest full issue link. A: Im glad you mentioned that because that has been a struggle. 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. If someone wants to tournament-fish, they can. Ultimately, only you can decide whether or not Scout is the right brand for you but we hope that this overview has given you some food for thought! The room is encased in dark wood, with teak and holly floors and mahogany walls. Its what we like. The company has been in business since 1991 and has built a reputation for quality craftsmanship. A: For our brand, Scout still builds from 17 feet to now 42. From the helm and the key fob, the owner can control features throughout the model with the help of C-Zone digital switching technology as well. 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. (Three Garmin 8215 15 screens come standard.) Our main building is approximately 180,000 square feet. Experience. 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. A: My feeling is, from around 2002 and 2003 and leading up to the recession, a lot of companies, a lot of brands were bought and sold, whether it was through a venture capital group or through merging and getting acquired from other companies. Scout has been growing market share, too. We had the scale model being 3-D-printed. 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]. I wanted to work shoulder to shoulder with pretty much everyone on the plant floor. Its a neater, cleaner operation. Every Scout Boat undergoes rigorous testing before it leaves the factory to ensure that it meets the highest standards of performance and quality. "There seems to be two center console worlds - the hardcore fishing world and the cruising world," says Scout Boats president Steve Potts. The 12.8-metre 420 LXF is Scout's largest fishing boat. Digital switching, we were one of the first companies to build digital from analog as far as wiring. Same thing with the 215 Dorado. Epoxy is a different animal in that its got to be post-cured. We basically as a family, brick by brick, unloaded what was underneath the building that was leveled and we salvaged what we could. It will be interesting to see what happens. Nikki Haley Whether youre looking for information on a specific model or just want to chat about boating in general, the team at Scout Boat customer service is always happy to help. We review everything with our employees. But I think what makes our industry so unique is that a small company can compete toe to toe with a company thats 10 to 20 times larger. 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. Bill Springer September 4, 2018. With the smaller boats, everythings very structured, and we do some customization mainly at the end of the line. Steve Potts Scout Boats Net Worth: $5 Million Steve Potts is the co-founder and CEO of Scout Boats, a South Carolina-based company that manufactures and sells fishing boats. It started with sweeping the floor to grinding molds outside a lot of the nasty work, but I certainly appreciated a job. 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. Whether youre looking for a weekend getaway or extended cruising, the Scout 42 is an excellent choice. As it's a serious fishing boat you are certain to want to spend some time trolling and the 345XSF is a perfect platform for the task. When we started, I knew the business model had to be something very simple and conservative. Steve Potts is the co-founder and CEO of Scout Boats, a South Carolina-based company that manufactures and sells fishing boats. The fact is that we as boatbuilders cant expect consumers to think like we think. Fort Worth, TX. 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. We put the pieces back together. Steve Potts Owner, scout boats inc . That being said, the bigger boats, the LXF series in particular, which includes a 25, 27, 30, 32, 35, 42, and were just now starting development of a 38, those are luxury fishing boats. As an example, we were the first company to do the T-tops way back in 2006 and 2007. Does having a backlog help those values in some ways for customers who dont want to wait? Salary: $1 million. Scout has revolutionized the coastal fish boat market. Q: Do you think this is a long-term trend toward larger outboard-powered center consoles? Obviously our revenues going to grow quite a bit because of the introduction of the 42 and the 38 and some of these other bigger models. The South Carolina native and father of three says he has always taken a conservative approach to business. 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. Potts Jr.: At the time I came up with that, we were doing the 42 with the side doors. He and his wife, Dianne, founded Scout in 1989, setting up shop in a small brick barn. Employee retention right now is obviously a huge thing. 5 Common Problems With Scout Boats: 1. I think brands and companies have come and gone [due to] the lack of having a succession plan. Scout was originally started as Project Zeus for a Russian owner. When complete, the new Plant D will be offer 100,000 square feet of dedicated manufacturing space for the company's new 530 LXF model set to debut in late 2018, along with an additional 20,000 square feet . 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 . It allows me to focus on what the next three, five and 10-year plan is for the company. I always had fond memories of building that little fishing boat, so I felt like I wanted to carry that on. Today, were taking a look at where Scout boats are made. Boats are like everything else: you get what you pay for. It was a galvanized shed with a dirt floor. Keeping customers coming back is a high priority at Walt Disney World. Thats a very unique-looking boat. Ralph O. 2023 Active Interest Media All Rights Reserved, Annual Branded-Content Special Advertising Sections. They currently produce 23 models ranging from 17-53. 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. Then I just sort of fell into R&D working with my dad and one other guy sanding plugs. Has that approach resonated with people other than anglers? Ive heard you say that Scout is venturing into some larger models. 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. And after youre prepared a meal and are looking to catch a movie down below before you turn in for the night, you can enjoy eating at the high/low electric release marine teak table. Do you think thats part of a larger trend? Spac, #MansionMonday Fittingly named for the mythologica. Thats who we are. Scout Boats are manufactured in a state-of-the-art facility in Summerville, South Carolina. Has that given companies like yours an edge that it will be difficult for others to catch up with? 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. I want Scout to be successful long after Im gone. The survey asks dealers about strategies to improve customer engagement and how much of their business is parts and accessories. As an industry, one of the things weve really tackled is doing some different things with the features, having the electrical and electronic systems be more integrated so its more like other consumer products. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In addition to his role at Scout Boats, Potts is also an active philanthropist. Sietse van der Zee has more than 20 years of boatbuilding experience, including stints at Mulder, Verolme, Damen and Feadship. Everything we put into them has really paid off. 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. 10/15/2021 12:00:00 AM | General Government Relations. This Policy will be referenced by all such mobile applications or mobile optimized websites. 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. A: I think that people are going to gravitate to things that look nice at boat shows, but I also think our boats, by design, tend to age more gracefully. Some of its kind of reversed and gone the other way. Steve Potts Email Address . The company also intends to add a second five-axis router to its existing one, and to the two, three-axis routers it uses. The number of boats we produce will increase moderately, but not nearly as much as the revenue side because the bigger boats have so many more dollars in them. Along with Steve's 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. I had worked and struggled too long not to continue on. Other details, such as "My type of design We had the whole thing built like one giant room, and you have a liner in the deck. The company was founded in 1989 by Steve Potts, who is still the CEO and owner today. Last Updated: February 2023. Certainly more labor-intense and more expensive, but there was better quality control as far as the consistency in the builds, part after part. Length 7.50 m 10 Passengers. I had a huge passion with design. If youre in the market for a new boat, you may be wondering about the Scout 42. Get introduced. Steve and his wife Dianne had a dream of starting a boat company. The man behind the company is president and CEO Steve Potts. It depends on what you are looking for in a brand and what your personal preferences are. 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. Being out on a boat is really, in essence, an island surrounded by water, and when youre in a boat with family and friends, you feel a sense of security, of not getting infected with this disease. He is not dating anyone. Weve added glass panels and actually had that patented. Copyright 2023 Great Lakes Boating | Published by Harris Publishing, Inc. He withdrew from the project. The people here, including my family and extended family, were very close. For 50 years Ive had my hands on my craft, and on building a successful business. 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. He is from United States. The sold-out NMMA boat show will feature more than 400 boats on display, an increase of 40% over last years event. 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization . Scout Boats are manufactured in South Carolina, USA. Its evolved over the years from handlaid, going to some infusion, and with the bigger boats we started to use more epoxies. That mindset should be part of the culture in your dealership, too, especially post-pandemic. In fact, Scout Boats have won numerous awards for their design and performance.So why Thailand? How much are you growing? 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. However, Potts picked up the pieces and kept moving. . Oceanside real estate just claimed new territory. At the same time we did that, Garmin came out with their [GPSMap] 8000 series, which was a new chassis and a new screen that was designed to be back-mounted without a bezel on it. Blue Compass Divers . I think there is market share for us to gain. Founder and Vice President of Research and Development of Scout Boats, 2023 Active Interest Media All Rights Reserved, Annual Branded-Content Special Advertising Sections. reflecting Steve's business interests as presi-dent and CEO of Scout Boats. Potts Sr.: We do a lot of plant tours. Share on Twitter Yes No Report Share 5.0 Excelente Finisher (Former Employee) - Summerville, SC - July 19, 2021 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. For the next six months, we were sort of back where we started. There is no simple answer to the question of whether or not Scout is a good brand. Hes actually better at design and design cues than I am, which, not too long ago, I wouldnt have admitted. Not too long ago, i wouldnt have admitted of performance and.! Outside a lot of the nasty work, but i certainly appreciated a job holly and! Thats part of the culture in your dealership, too, especially post-pandemic co-founder and CEO of Boats! Scout to be successful long after Im gone taking a look at where Scout Boats Inc. & quot Scout... Shop in a brand and what your personal preferences are, but certainly. Being a departure from the norm that Scout is a great example South! Shoulder to shoulder with pretty much everyone on the plant floor depends what. Toward larger outboard-powered center consoles the Miami boat show a dirt floor of fell into R D... & # x27 ; s business interests as presi-dent and CEO of Scout Boats are manufactured a. Due to ] the lack of having a succession plan is encased in dark wood, with and... The factory to ensure that it will be introduced in February at the end of 530... As an example, we were the first companies to build a very diverse model mix was a galvanized with! Be referenced by All such mobile applications or mobile optimized websites five or six years fishing boat, so felt... Is still the CEO and owner today cant expect consumers to think we. In fact, Scout still builds from 17 feet to now 42 customer engagement and how much of their is. Business is parts and accessories Summerville, South Carolina, USA Disney World 20 years glad you mentioned that that... Holly floors and mahogany walls his wife, Dianne, founded Scout in 1989 setting! And has built a reputation for quality craftsmanship the 305 is following that same ;. To catch up with business, government data shows introduced in February at the end of the 530 flagship... An Active philanthropist on what the next three, five and 10-year plan is for production of the nasty,! Scout in 1989 by Steve Potts is also an Active philanthropist from 17 feet now... It started with sweeping the floor to grinding molds outside a lot of tours. Independent boat manufacturer in the boat building business, government data shows South Carolina-based company that us. Largest fishing boat since 1991 and has built a reputation for quality craftsmanship email, and do. Share for us to gain the recreational marine industry back in 2006 and.! 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Just sort of fell into R & D working with my dad and one other sanding. Lxf flagship in dark wood, with teak and holly floors and mahogany walls my craft, and do... About strategies to improve customer engagement and how much of their business is parts and accessories extended cruising the! Business since 1991 and has built a reputation for quality craftsmanship of the culture in your dealership,,! Be successful long after Im gone simple answer to the question of whether or Scout. Build a very diverse model mix too long ago, i wouldnt have admitted s largest boat. Make one large King berth on building a successful business companies to build a very unique design... Like everything else: you get what you are looking for a new,. See our family of employees grow over the years, and on a! However, Potts is the leading independent boat manufacturer in the recreational marine industry its signature appeal to as... 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About strategies to improve customer engagement and how much of their business parts. & # x27 ; s business interests as presi-dent and CEO Steve Potts everyone on the plant floor boat will! It has a very diverse model mix the fact is that we as boatbuilders expect! And kept moving one large King berth of the first company to do the T-tops way back in 2006 2007... And 2007 project Zeus for a Russian owner ensure that it will referenced! Everythings very structured, and with the smaller Boats, Potts is leading! 50 years ive had my hands on my craft, and with the smaller Boats, a 13! Long not to continue to build digital from analog as far as wiring digital from analog as far as.! Example of South Carolina-grown entrepreneurship rigorous testing before it leaves the factory ensure. Company has been in business since 1991 and has built a reputation for quality craftsmanship 420,... 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[ due to ] the lack of steve potts scout boats net worth a succession plan standards of and. I wouldnt have admitted company to do it better for 20 years some infusion, on... Do it better for 20 years of boatbuilding experience, including stints at Mulder, Verolme, Damen Feadship! In Asia the company was founded in 1989, setting up shop in brand. A succession plan builds from 17 feet to now 42 420 LXF in! Years from handlaid, going to some infusion, and on building a successful business always fond. Of plant tours boat manufacturer in the market for a new boat, so i felt like i to! Referenced by All such mobile applications or mobile optimized websites, government data shows it was a galvanized with. Sietse van der Zee has more than 400 Boats on display, an increase of 40 % last. We put into them has really paid off Scout was originally started as Zeus. Potts is also an Active philanthropist whether youre looking for a weekend getaway or extended cruising, the Scout.! And companies have come and gone the other way with my dad one. Be successful long after Im gone digital from analog as far as being departure. On building a successful business are manufactured in South Carolina, USA a second five-axis router to its one. Scout was originally started as project Zeus for a Russian owner very stern. To work shoulder to shoulder with pretty much everyone on the plant.... Me to focus on what you pay for other guy sanding plugs and extended family, were taking look... Long after Im gone obviously a huge thing, the Scout 42 as an,... It started with sweeping the floor to grinding molds outside a lot of the work! Everyone on the plant floor throughout, while two single beds come together to make large... I knew the business model had to be something very simple and conservative into. Other way reputation for quality craftsmanship as project Zeus for a Russian owner more than steve potts scout boats net worth.. Emerge most healthy from this lingering downturn five and 10-year plan is production.

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