Pursuit introduces S 280 Sport at the
Miami International Boat Show. This boat is the second in the Sport
series of cruising / fishing center consoles.
Pursuit offers factory refurbishing and upgrading program to all
Pursuit owners. This program provides owners of older Pursuits to
upgrade fabrics, cabinetry, wiring, electronics and more.
2008
Pursuit introduces the S 310 Sport,
a center console cruiser/tender at the Annual Dealer Conference.
Pursuit also unveils the C 340 Center Console and OS 335 Offshore
powered with the new Yamaha twin 350 outboard engines at the Annual
Dealer Conference.
Team Pursuit, a competitive fishing team comprised of Pursuit captains
and staff, is formed. They will fish out of the beefed up C 340 Center
Console in two divisions of the Southern Kingfish Association (SKA)
during the spring and summer in and around Florida.
Pursuit introduces the OS 375 Offshore at the Palm Beach Boat Show.
This new flagship of the fleet represents the largest outboard powered
boat Pursuit has ever built and is powered with triple 350 hp Yamaha
outboards.
Pursuit announces five dealers achieving Flagship Dealer status.
The Flagship Dealer Program builds on the Marine Industry Dealer
Certification program instituted by the NMMA to help marine dealers
achieve and maintain certain standards and practices for their dealerships
in several different areas. The Pursuit program adds operational
enhancements that help the dealers excel in overall customer satisfaction
and profitability, and recognizes and rewards exceptional performance
in the areas of dealership sales, marketing and service.
Pursuit unveils OS 375 Offshore, redesigned C 280 Center Console
and updated C 230 and C 310 Center Consoles during Annual Dealer
Meeting in August.
Pursuit holds first International Dealer Conference to coincide with
the Genoa Boat Show in Santa Margherita, Italy and the international
launch of the OS 375 Offshore, in October.
Pursuit unveils new OS 345 Offshore during Fort Lauderdale International
Boat Show in October. This model replaces best selling model OS 335
Offshore and offers many of the features found on the OS 375 Offshore.
2007
Pursuit introduces the LS 235 Denali
and the C 310 Center Console during the Annual Dealer Conference.
Introduction of the C 230 Center Console during the Miami International
Boat Show.
Pursuit receives the Boating Magazine 2006 Boat Of The Year Award
for the LS 345 Drummond Runner during the Miami International Boat
Show.
Pursuit announces record sales at the 2007 Miami International Boat
Show, declaring it one of the best boat shows ever.
Pursuit announces the launch of the OS 315 Offshore for the summer
of 2007. This model will incorporate new features such as a molded
hardtop and windshield, updated upholstery and fabrics, bow thrusters
and infused fiberglass stringer system.
Leon and Dolores Slikkers are awarded honorary Doctors of Law titles
from Andrews University for their dedication and commitment to improving
the quality of life of those around them, their generous philanthropy
and encouragement of others to serve their fellow man.
2006
Pursuit wins NMMA Innovation Award for the Drummond
Sportfish “Anglers EdgeTM” bait prep center during the
Miami International Boat Show.
Pursuit wins two gold Addys and one silver Addy award for print advertising
and it’s 2006 catalog for design and printing processes with
design team FC Edge.
Construction is completed at the Pursuit factory, the culmination
begin the launch of the automated production and lamination lines.
Leon Slikkers pushes the button on each line on April 4 and begins
the automation process. All new areas are up and running, including
the Design Center, new lamination areas and coating booths.
Pursuit introduces the OS 285 Offshore, which replaces the 2870 Walkaround.
This model was presold for months prior to going into production.
Pursuit recognized by NMMA for CSI Excellence for 2006.
2005
Pursuit introduces 2570 Offshore model, which replaces
2470 Walkaround, during Miami International Boat Show.
Pursuit begins expansion of their Fort Pierce, Florida facility,
which will have additions totaling 60,000 square feet and include
additions to the lamination building, engineering building, a test
pool and new mill shop.
Pursuit introduces the 3480 Drummond Island Runner at the Annual
Dealer Conference, wowing dealers, vendors and press in attendance.
Pursuit introduces the 3480 Drummond Island Sportfish during the
Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, receiving critical acclaim.
Pursuit recognized by NMMA for CSI Excellence for 2005.
2004
Pursuit introduces the 2670 Center Console during
the Miami International Boat Show.
Pursuit is recognized by the NMMA for CSI Excellence for the model
year 2003.
Pursuit introduces a 5/2/5 Warranty program for all 2005 model Pursuits.
Pursuit introduces the 3480 Center Console in September 2004.
Pursuit’s Annual Dealer Meeting is cancelled due to twin hurricanes
Frances and Jeanne in September, 2004.
Pursuit introduces 2570 Center Console at the Fort Lauderdale Boat
Show.
Pursuit recognized by NMMA for CSI Excellence for model year 2004.
2003
Pursuit unveils exciting new circle “P” logo
with platinum finish.
Pursuit introduces the 3100 Offshore as a new model for 2004.
Pursuit introduces the 3370 Offshore with a dramatic entrance at
the Annual Dealer Meeting.
2002
S2 Yachts implements a change in family leadership.
Pursuit and Tiara both announce a dramatic, new zero-interest retail
financing program in the fall of 2001 in response to the 9/11 terrorist
attacks.
Pursuit introduces the 2670 Denali LS at the Miami International
Boat Show.
Pursuit introduces the 2665 Denali LS at its annual Dealer Meeting.
2001
Pursuit purchases 32 acres of additional
land, adjacent to the existing Fort Pierce facility, for future expansion.
Pursuit introduces the 3070 Center Console at its annual Dealer Meeting
in August.
Pursuit introduces the 2670 Cuddy Console at the Fort Lauderdale
Boat Show.
Pursuit introduces the new 3800 Express during its annual Chairman’s
Council meeting in May 2001.
Pursuit introduces the brand new 3070 Express in July.
2000
New sales records achieved by Pursuit and Tiara.
Pursuit was again presented Yamaha Motor Company’s Sales and
Marketing Achievement Award in May, for the fourth straight year.
Pursuit continues to expand with the addition of 7,000 square feet
in lamination, engineering, customer service and administration space.
Pursuit introduces the 3070 Offshore Center Console
at the Miami International Boat Show in February.
Pursuit presented with Yamaha Motor Company’s Sales and Marketing
Achievement Award in May.
Continuous Improvement Program is implemented at Pursuit.
S2 Yachts celebrates its 25th Anniversary with a reception for all
employees.
Total employment in all plants exceeds 1,000 persons.
1998
Pursuit introduces the 3000 Express at the Miami International
Boat Show.
Tiara opens a new yacht manufacturing facility in Swansboro, North
Carolina, as announced during the Miami International Boat Show.
Pursuit presented with Yamaha Motor Company’s Sales and Marketing
Achievement Award in May.
Pursuit introduces green hull color option for the 2270, 2470 and
2870 Center Console models, as well as the 3000 Offshore and 3400
Express in June.
Redesigned decks for the Pursuit 2870 Walkaround and 2470 Walkaround
are introduced in August.
New sales records are achieved by both Pursuit and Tiara.
1997
Leon Slikkers is inducted into the Michigan Boating
Hall of Fame.
Pursuit 2870 Center Console is introduced in February.
Pursuit completes a plant expansion of 50,000 square feet and moves
into new offices – 7,500 square feet.
Pursuit presented Yamaha Motor Company’s Sales and Marketing
Achievement Award.
Pursuit 2270 Kodiak and 2260 Denali are introduced in July.
Pursuit and Tiara both achieve sales records during the 1997 model
year.
1996
Leon Slikkers is named Entrepeneur of the Year in
the manufacturing category for the state of Michigan.
Pursuit introduces the 2800 Walkaround (I/B), 2870 (O/B) and 2800
(I/B) Offshore Center Console.
During the Annual Dealer Meeting, new models are introduced: Pursuit
3400 Express, 2860 Denali and 2270 Center Console.
Pursuit achieves another sales record.
A major expansion of the Pursuit facility begins – 50,000 square
feet in the plant and 7,500 square feet in the office.
1995
Pursuit 2470 Center Console and 2470 Walkaround are
introduced at Annual Dealer Meeting.
New Denali series is introduced at the New York Boat Show, featuring
the Denali 2460 model.
Pursuit 2870 Walkaround is introduced at the Miami International
Boat Show.
New sales records are established for both Tiara Yachts and Pursuit.
1994
S2 Yachts celebrates its 20th Anniversary with an
Open House for all employees and their families.
S2 Yachts selected as the winner of the manufacturing division of
the MCI/Inc. Magazine’s National Award for Positive Customer
Service.
Pursuit 2600 Inboard Center Console is introduced at the Miami Boat
Show.
New sales record achieved for Pursuit division.
Pursuit 3000 Offshore is unveiled to dealers during the annual Dealer
Meeting held in July.
Pursuit Offshore University holds its first annual dealer training
session.
1993
S2 discontinues the Tiara Sportboat (Slickcraft) production,
with the focus on the Tiara Yachts and Pursuit Fishing Boats product
lines.
New Pursuit models introduced are the 1950 Dual Console, 2150 Dual
Console, 2150 Walkaround, 2355 Center Console, 2555 Center Console,
2555 Walkaround, 2855 Express and the 3100 Express.
Pursuit starts Total Quality Management Program and Total Company
Education Program based upon “Vision” statement.
1992
Pursuit 2650 Center Console introduced at annual Dealer
Meeting.
Pursuit 2665 Center Console named Boating Magazine’s 1992 Boat
of the Year.
Pursuit introduces the 1950 and 2150 Dual Console models.
Early summer brings introduction of 2855 Express Fisherman to the
Pursuit brand.
1991
Pursuit 1850 Center Console introduced at IMTEC.
1990
Pursuit introduces transom-bracket option
for all models.
S2 7.9 meter sailboat is re-introduced on a limited
edition basis to be made available in 1990.
Pursuit 3250 Open nears completion, with an introduction set for
the January 1990 New York Boat Show.
New sales records established in all three brand names. Employment
totals reach 780 people.
1988
Expansion is made of corporate facilities, including
doubling the engineering area, sportswear store, entrance and lobby
area of the Holland, Michigan facility.
New sales records established in all three brand names. Total employment
reaches 650.
1987
Slickcraft product line is expanded to include five
new models.
S2 Sailboat production is ended. New sales records established in
all three brand names and total employment exceeds 500 people.
1986
Key management team assembled for second generation
of growth. Brand names reorganized to include separate dealer franchises
for each product line – Tiara Yachts, Pursuit Fishing Boats,
Slickcraft Sportboats and S2 Sailboats.
1984
Leon Slikkers becomes Chief Executive Officer of S2
Yachts. David Slikkers is named President.
Construction is completed on a 200,000 square foot, two-level facility
in Holland, Michigan; this brings the total square feet to nearly
500,000.
1983
S2 Yachts, Inc. purchases the Slickcraft brand name
from AMF. A new plant is built in Fort Pierce, Florida with approximately
75,000 square feet to begin building Pursuit models.
Slikkers begins experimental work in fiberglass hull
construction.
1955
In a bold move, Leon Slikkers leaves Chris Craft,
sells his home and starts a small factory called Slickcraft on Washington
Avenue in Holland, Michigan.
1954
Leon Slikkers registers the “Slickcraft” name.
1950
Leon Slikkers begins building 14’ runabouts
in his garage after work.
