Bluewater Sportfishing Boats

What Bluewater Sportfishing Boats does

Bluewater Sportfishing Boats is a privately held, Fort Pierce, Florida-based custom boat manufacturer founded in 1997 by Paul Skilowitz. The company hand-builds center console fishing boats for the offshore and (returning) inshore segments, offering six offshore models (2150, 23T, 25T, 2550, 2850, and the new 36) ranging from 21 to 36 feet, plus a lineup of inshore models in re-launch. Boats are built to order with extensive customization — engine selection (Mercury, Suzuki, Yamaha), electronics (Garmin, Simrad), seating, color, and accessories — under a quote-based pricing model with no publicly disclosed rates.

Core technical differentiators include a proprietary Multi-Plex composite stringer system bonded to the hull in-mold, hand-poured foam construction with no wood, a 24-degree deep-vee hull design, and integration of the Seakeeper Ride Vessel Attitude Control System (standard on the 25T and 36). Each boat is built one at a time by skilled craftsmen rather than on an assembly line, supporting the company's stated goal of building 'the best-riding, most durable center consoles afloat.' Distribution combines direct factory sales at the Fort Pierce plant (with an open-door tour policy) and a selective dealer network spanning Florida, Louisiana, New York, and Massachusetts.

The business operates on three revenue streams: new boat sales, per-boat customization and options (which materially expand ASP), and branded gear sold through a Shopify storefront. Marketing is community-led, anchored by a 9,000+ member Facebook Owners Group, boat show presence (including Palm Beach International Boat Show), influencer partnerships with Landshark Outdoors and Tackle2ThePeople, and dealer-driven local touchpoints. Ownership transitioned from founder Paul Skilowitz to Ken and Kelly, with no disclosed outside investors or institutional capital.

Name

Bluewater Sportfishing Boats

Legal name

Bluewater Sportfishing Boats

Website

https://bluewatersportfishingboats.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bluewater Sportfishing Boats is a Fort Pierce, Florida-based custom boat builder (founded 1997) that hand-builds center console fishing boats for offshore and inshore use, selling build-to-order models through direct factory sales and a regional US dealer network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Center Console Sportfishing Boats

NAICS

Boat Building (336612)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Recreational Fishing & Sportfishing Boat Manufacturing (IMAJAEAH)

Keywords

• Center console boats
• Sportfishing boat building
• Offshore fishing boats
• Custom boat manufacturing
• Center console fishing vessels

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Pierce

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. New Boat Sales: Custom-built-to-order center console fishing boats. Each boat is built to customer specification with extensive customization options. Primary revenue stream.
2. Customization and Options: Revenue from extensive customization options including engine packages, electronics, seating, colors, and accessories. Adds significant per-boat revenue.
3. Parts and Accessories: Bluewater branded gear sold through separate Shopify storefront (bluewater-boats-gear.myshopify.com).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Bluewater Sportfishing Boats hand-builds custom center console sportfishing boats for offshore and (returning) inshore fishing. Each boat is built to order at its Fort Pierce, Florida factory with extensive customization of engines, electronics, seating, and accessories across six offshore models ranging from 21 to 36 feet. The company also sells branded gear and accessories through a separate Shopify storefront.

Product overview

Bluewater Sportfishing Boats builds custom center console fishing boats for offshore and inshore use. The offshore lineup includes six models (2150, 23T, 25T, 2550, 2850, and 36) ranging from 21 to 36 feet, each built to order with extensive customization options. The company also offers the Seakeeper Ride System as an integrated stabilization feature. Inshore models (160 Pro, 160 Fly Caster, 180, 180 Pro, 210 Pro) are currently returning to production. Boats feature 24-degree deep vee hulls, premium materials, and customizable electronics, engine, seating, and color options.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bluewater 2150 21-foot center console offshore fishing boat with a 24-degree deep-vee hull, 35-gallon livewell, 600-quart fish box capacity, and 102-gallon fuel tank, designed for serious offshore sportsmen.
• Bluewater 23T 23-foot tournament-bred center console featuring a 50-gallon circular livewell/leaning post combo, 10 standard rod holders, flush one-level deck layout, and 24-degree deadrise hull.
• Bluewater 25T 25-foot center console using three-piece construction with integrated leg-set and flat deck, 24-degree deadrise hull, dual 24-gallon pressurized livewells, and Seakeeper Ride system as standard equipment.
• Bluewater 2550 25-foot center console designed to fish and run like a 27-footer, featuring more cockpit area than many larger boats, 35-gallon livewell, four large insulated fish boxes, and 178-gallon fuel capacity enabling 100+ mile offshore range.
• Bluewater 2850 31-foot (LOA with bracket) center console with 9'5\" beam, the largest cockpit in its class, 46-gallon livewell, four 220-quart fish boxes, and up to 340-gallon fuel capacity for extended-range offshore trips.
• Bluewater 36 (formerly 355e) 35'9\" flagship center console featuring standard Quad Seakeeper Ride 750 System, forward lounger with 55-gallon insulated storage, and capacity for triple 350HP engines with up to 1,275HP maximum rating.
• Bluewater Inshore Model Lineup (160 Pro, 160 Fly Caster, 180, 180 Pro, 210 Pro) Inshore fishing boat models (160 Pro, 160 Fly Caster, 180, 180 Pro, 210 Pro) returning to the Bluewater lineup.
• Bluewater Branded Gear and Accessories Bluewater-branded apparel, gear, and accessories sold through a separate Shopify storefront.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2 mpg fuel efficiency at 35mph cruise speed reported by 25T owner
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SeakeepercoreTechnology or IntegrationSeakeeper Ride system is available as standard or optional equipment on Bluewater boats. Seakeeper Ride is a Vessel Attitude Control System (VACS) that eliminates up to 70% of pitch and roll underway. Bluewater 36 comes standard with Quad Seakeeper Ride 750 System.
• Mercury MarinecoreTechnology or IntegrationMercury is an engine option provider for all Bluewater models. Available engine packages include Mercury 250's, 300's, V10 350's, and V10 350-425's for various models.
• Suzuki MarinecoreTechnology or IntegrationSuzuki is an engine option provider for all Bluewater models. Available packages include Suzuki 250's, 300's, 350's for various models.
• Yamaha OutboardscoreTechnology or IntegrationYamaha is an engine option provider for all Bluewater models. Available packages include Yamaha 250's, 300's, 350's, and 425's.
• GarmincoreTechnology or IntegrationGarmin electronics packages available as options on all Bluewater models. Package options include dual Garmin (8612xsv, 8612, B-275LHW transducer) and single Garmin (8612xsv, B-175M transducer).
• Navico (Simrad)coreTechnology or IntegrationSimrad electronics packages available as options on all Bluewater models. Package options include dual Simrad (Two NSS12 evo3S, B-275LHW transducer) and single Simrad (NSS12 evo3S, B-175M transducer).
• Landshark OutdoorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSocial media influencers Viktor and Brook Crist from Landshark Outdoors joined Bluewater family. Feature adventures on their new Bluewater 2850.
• Tackle2ThePeopleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSocial media influencers Michael and Cam from Tackle2ThePeople represent the Northeast running a Bluewater 2850. Content includes giant bluefin tuna fishing and commercial fishing lifestyle.
• Connley FishingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBryan Connley, owner of Connley Fishing (handmade fishing rods), partnered with Bluewater as a showcase of quality rod company with quality boat. Boat named 'The Rodfather'. Partnership described as 'perfect marriage from day one forward'.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Yellowfin Yachts: Yellowfin Yachts builds high-end offshore center console fishing boats with comparable build quality, deep-vee hulls, and customization options targeting serious offshore anglers.
• Pursuit Boats: Pursuit Boats manufactures offshore center console and dual console fishing boats at a similar premium price point, directly competing with Bluewater's sportfishing lineup.
• Scout Boats: Scout Boats builds luxury center console sportfishing boats from 17 to 53 feet with comparable deep-vee hull construction and offshore fishing positioning.
• Contender Boats: Contender Boats manufactures offshore center console sportfishing boats in similar sizes to Bluewater, competing directly in the 24-36 foot premium fishing market.
• Everglades Boats: Everglades Boats builds premium center console fishing boats for offshore anglers, directly competing with Bluewater's 25T, 2550, and 2850 in the same sportfishing segment.
• Invincible Boats: Invincible Boats builds high-performance offshore center console sportfishing boats in comparable size classes and price points, targeting the same serious offshore angler segment.
• Hydra-Sports Custom Boats: Hydra-Sports builds offshore center console fishing boats competing directly with Bluewater's sportfishing models in the premium custom segment.

Broad incumbents

• Grady-White Boats: Grady-White is a long-established premium boat builder with a broader dual-console and center console lineup that competes with Bluewater in the same sportfishing segment but with national scale and dealer coverage.
• Boston Whaler: Boston Whaler is a Brunswick-owned incumbent building center console boats across multiple size classes, with much broader scale and national distribution than Bluewater.

Emerging players

• Tidewater Boats: Tidewater Boats manufactures center console offshore boats at more accessible price points, competing with Bluewater's entry-level 2150 and 23T models in the mid-range sportfishing segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/groups/79131484408
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bluewater-boat-services

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bluewater Sportfishing Boats