hewes boats

What hewes boats does

Hewes Boats is a U.S. manufacturer of shallow-water fishing boats headquartered in Fort Pierce, Florida, operating as a brand under Maverick Boat Group, Inc. The company designs and builds flats and backcountry skiffs marketed to serious recreational anglers and professional fishing guides, with a core product line spanning the Redfisher 16, 18, and 21. Hull design emphasizes shallow-water performance, dry ride characteristics in adverse weather, and high sides with wider gunnels for safety and stability. The flagship Redfisher 21 is engineered to pair with Yamaha outboards (SHO 250 HP or 350 HP), delivering reported speeds of 53–55 MPH and a 42 MPH cruise at 4200 RPMs while accommodating up to five anglers and offering proprietary dry-storage compartments.

The company's product technology centers on three Redfisher variants with differentiated hulls and size profiles: the 16-foot entry-level flats boat, the 18-foot versatile inshore/freshwater platform, and the 21-foot near-shore/backcountry machine. Customization flows via a "Build Your Boat" online configurator, and aftermarket support is provided through MBG Gear, a branded apparel and accessories channel. Go-to-market combines a nationwide authorized dealer network with a dealer-locator tool on the website, direct factory tours at Fort Pierce on Thursday afternoons, and presence at major industry events including the Miami International Boat Show.

Hewes generates revenue primarily through one-time boat sales routed through authorized dealers, supplemented by hardware sales of branded gear and accessories via MBG Gear. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; buyers are directed to dealers for quotes. The customer base consists of SMB and individual consumers — including professional charter captains (e.g., Gulf Coast operators) and recreational anglers — distributed across the Southeast U.S. and other coastal geographies. Brand heritage ("the boats that invented the sport") and customer loyalty events such as the annual MBG Owner's Tournament function as primary retention levers in a long-tail consumer model.

Name

hewes boats

Legal name

Maverick Boat Group, Inc.

Website

https://hewes.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Hewes Boats manufactures shallow-water fishing boats from Fort Pierce, Florida, as a brand under Maverick Boat Group. It sells Redfisher 16, 18, and 21 flats and backcountry skiffs through a nationwide dealer network targeting professional fishing guides and recreational anglers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Recreational Boats

NAICS

Boat Building (336612)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Recreational Fishing & Sportfishing Boat Manufacturing (IMAJAEAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Boat Fishing Accessories & Rigging Retail (Downriggers, Trolling, Rod Holders) (CRAMALAM)

Keywords

• Flats fishing boats
• Shallow water boats
• Backcountry skiffs
• Inshore fishing boats
• Boat manufacturing

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, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Boat Sales: Hewes Boats generates revenue primarily through the sale of manufactured fishing boats. The company offers customizable boats through their 'Build Your Boat' configurator, allowing customers to customize their purchases.
2. Aftermarket Parts and Accessories: The company sells branded gear and accessories through The Gear section of their website, powered by MBG Gear.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Hewes Boats designs and manufactures shallow-water fishing boats under the Redfisher product line, including the 16, 18, and 21-foot models. The company markets itself as having invented the flats fishing boat category, producing inshore, nearshore, and backcountry fishing platforms optimized for shallow-water capability, dry ride characteristics, and fishing performance. The company also sells branded apparel and accessories through an online gear store.

Product overview

Hewes Boats manufactures a lineup of specialized flats fishing boats under the Redfisher series. The product line consists of three models: Redfisher 16, Redfisher 18, and Redfisher 21. These boats are designed for inshore, nearshore, and backcountry fishing, with capabilities ranging from shallow-water navigation to running at speeds over 50 MPH. The Redfisher 21 is positioned as the flagship near-shore and backcountry model, while the Redfisher 16 and 18 serve as smaller, more compact alternatives. Hewes markets these as the boats that invented the flats fishing sport, with options to customize and build boats to customer specifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Redfisher: Flats fishing boat model line including Redfisher 16, Redfisher 18, and Redfisher 21

Products and services

• Redfisher 16

Quantifiable outcome

• Speed of 53-55 MPH and cruise at 42 MPH at 4200 RPMs reported with Yamaha SHO 250 HP engine on Redfisher 21

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Yamaha OutboardscoreTechnology or IntegrationYamaha outboards are mentioned as the recommended/pairing engine for Hewes boats. The Redfisher 21 is shown paired with Yamaha outboards including the 250 HP SHO and 350 HP models. This represents an established engine partnership where Yamaha powers their boats.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Maverick Boats: Maverick Boats is a sister brand under the same parent company (Maverick Boat Group, Inc.) that manufactures flats fishing and bay boats including the Master Angler series. The closest comparable competitor with shared manufacturing, distribution, and overlapping target customers, including the same Capt Ward Michaels who previously owned three Maverick Master Anglers before switching to Hewes.
• Pathfinder Boats: Pathfinder Boats is another sister brand under Maverick Boat Group that builds bay boats for inshore and nearshore fishing. Highly comparable in target market, distribution channel, and use cases to Hewes, with shared parent company resources creating direct competitive overlap.
• Skeeter Boats: Skeeter Boats is a fishing boat manufacturer specializing in bay boats and bass boats for inshore and freshwater fishing. Comparable to Hewes in target customer (serious anglers) and product category (bay/flats boats), with overlapping distribution through marine dealers.
• NauticStar Boats: NauticStar Boats manufactures bay boats and offshore fishing boats targeting recreational anglers in similar inshore/nearshore use cases as Hewes. Direct competitor in the bay boat category with similar pricing tier and customer profile.
• Tidewater Boats: Tidewater Boats produces a range of bay boats and offshore boats for recreational fishing, including inshore and flats fishing applications. Comparable to Hewes in product category, target customer, and price tier for bay/inshore fishing boats.
• Robalo Boats: Robalo Boats manufactures bay boats and offshore fishing boats for recreational anglers, including models targeting the same inshore/nearshore fishing market as Hewes. Direct competitor with similar product positioning and dealer distribution model.
• Everglades Boats: Everglades Boats builds high-end bay boats and offshore fishing boats targeting serious recreational anglers with premium positioning. Comparable to Hewes in customer profile (premium segment serious anglers) and product category (bay boats for inshore/nearshore fishing).
• Contender Boats: Contender Boats manufactures offshore and inshore fishing boats including bay boat models targeting serious recreational and sportfishing customers. Comparable to Hewes in fishing-focused product category with similar premium pricing tier and customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Boston Whaler: Boston Whaler is an established recreational boat manufacturer owned by Brunswick Corporation that produces a range of fishing and recreational boats including inshore models. Comparable to Hewes in fishing-focused recreational boating but operates at much larger scale with a broader product portfolio including offshore capabilities.

Emerging players

• Sportsman Boats: Sportsman Boats is a growing manufacturer of bay boats and center console fishing boats targeting similar recreational fishing customers as Hewes. Comparable in product category and customer profile but positioned as an emerging challenger in the bay boat space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/mbgboats?sub_confirmation=1
• Facebookfacebook.com/hewesboats
• Instagraminstagram.com/hewesboats

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 hewes boats