Our History
Five Decades of Building America's Best Boats
The Early Days: Setting the Stage for Success
The world was introduced to Pursuit Boats in 1977 by industry pioneer Leon Slikkers, when he launched the first range of fishing boats bearing the Pursuit brand.
The new Pursuit boats rapidly became a benchmark for premium, open-water fishing vessels. From there, Pursuit established its reputation for purposeful design, structural integrity, uncompromising performance and a level of refinement that set its boats apart.
In 1983, just six years after launching the Pursuit Boats brand, Pursuit got its own dedicated factory in Fort Pierce, Florida. The new 75,000-square-foot facility was strategically located in the center of one of the largest boatbuilding regions in the world, an area known locally as the "Fiberglass Belt."
Being in the middle of the Fiberglass Belt gave Pursuit direct access to some of the best and brightest people in the business, as well as the best products, systems and subcontractors. The decision to plant roots in Fort Pierce, Florida, turned out to be one of the smartest moves in Pursuit's history.
The 1980s and 1990s: Building the Foundation
Thanks to our new dedicated factory, the 1980s saw rapid growth on all fronts. The factory roster grew, production expanded, and Pursuit's reputation for quality center console fishing and cruising boats began to solidify in the market.
Growth and a Commitment to Quality
The 1990s were an extraordinary decade for the brand. New model introductions came at a relentless pace. Sales records were set and broken repeatedly throughout the decade.
The commitment to product quality that characterized these years was no accident. In 1993, Pursuit began its Total Quality Management Program and Total Company Education Program, embedding continuous improvement in our DNA. That commitment would become the foundation of one of the most remarkable customer satisfaction records in the marine industry.
Introduction of Pursuit Offshore Series
In 1994, Pursuit debuted our Offshore Series of open express style boats. The introduction of the Offshore line marked another important evolution of our company, expanding Pursuit's reputation among serious offshore anglers while maintaining the craftsmanship and build quality that continues to define the Pursuit Boats brand today.
The 2000s: Awards, Innovation and Growing Global Reach
Pursuit entered the new millennium on a wave of momentum, breaking sales records and adding new models at a sustained pace.
In 2001, we received our first, and the first ever, NMMA Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) Award for Excellence in Customer Satisfaction. Pursuit has continued to earn the distinction every year the program has been presented since its inception.
This run of CSI Awards is not incidental. It reflects Pursuit's deliberate, deeply held philosophy about what it means to build fantastic boats. From engineering and manufacturing to dealer relationships and owner support, Pursuit's entire operation is oriented around delivering an exceptional boat and ownership experience.
Our Fort Pierce footprint continued to grow along with the company. A major expansion in the early 2000s added 60,000 square feet and included new lamination areas, a test pool and a new mill shop.
The 2010s: A Decade of Breakthroughs
By the time the 2010s arrived, Pursuit had established itself as one of the preeminent center console, dual console and open express boatbuilders in the country. The decade would prove to be one of the most productive in company history, characterized by a wave of innovative new models, continued manufacturing investment and significant industry recognition.
Dual Console and New Model Introductions
New model introductions during this period included the DC 235, DC 265, C 260, DC 325, OS 315, OS 325, S 408 (our first flagship luxury center console) and the DC 295 and DC 365.
The DC 365, Pursuit’s largest dual console ever built, debuted at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in 2017. It subsequently won the NMMA Innovation Award in the Fishing Boat Walkaround/Center Console category at the 2018 Miami International Boat Show.
That same period brought continued investment in Fort Pierce. A 14,000-square-foot plant expansion completed in 2017 enabled an increase in production.
Pursuit Boats Acquired by Malibu Boats
On the corporate front, 2018 brought a significant change of ownership. Pursuit Boats was acquired by Malibu Boats Inc. (MBUU), bringing additional resources and investment capacity to support Pursuit's continued growth.
The 2020s: Flagship Territory and a 50th Anniversary on the Horizon
The 2020s have continued Pursuit's tradition of bold product development, manufacturing investment and sustained industry recognition.
A major expansion of the Fort Pierce campus came online during this period with the addition of a state-of-the-art 182,000-square-foot facility. Plant 2 joined Plant 1 on the Fort Pierce campus, expanding Pursuit's manufacturing and support footprint.
Launch of the S 428 Sport
In 2021, we launched the S 428. With an LOA of 43’ 9”, it was the largest center console boat we had ever built and the new flagship of the Sport series. The S 428 went on to win the NMMA Innovation Award in the Center Console/Walkaround Fishing Boats category at the 2022 Miami International Boat Show.
Debut of the OS 445 Offshore
2023 brought the debut of the OS 445, the new flagship of the Offshore series and the largest Pursuit ever built, at 46' 6" LOA. With triple Yamaha XTO engines, panoramic cabin views and accommodations for overnight stays, the OS 445 pushed us into genuine open express yacht territory while maintaining the DNA that Pursuit owners know and love.
Launch of the Pursuit Boats Tooling Development Center
Also in 2023, Pursuit officially opened its 116,000-square-foot Tooling Development Center adjacent to our main assembly plants.
The facility brought even greater vertical integration and precision engineering directly onto our campus, giving Pursuit greater oversight of critical elements of the boatbuilding process and the ability to refresh our model lines more frequently while continuing to deliver the yacht-quality fit and finish our customers expect.
Recognition for Confidence on the Water
In 2025, the Sea Tow Foundation named Pursuit the Top Marine Manufacturer in its National Boating Safety Awards, recognizing the brand's Confidence on the Water program developed in partnership with the Chapman School of Seamanship in Stuart, Florida.
The program offers every new Pursuit owner a complimentary two-day boating safety and handling course — another example of the ownership experience that has made Pursuit exceptional for nearly half a century.
Dual Console Becomes Denali
In MY 2027, our Pursuit DC, or Dual Console, series became Denali. The return of Denali to the Pursuit Boats range represents our constant drive to evolve and improve. It's also an opportunity to reconnect with a name from our past that our customers know and have loved.
Under its new Denali branding, we look forward to continuing to bring the best dual console boats in the market to customers across America.
Looking Ahead: Our 50th Anniversary
In Model Year 2027, Pursuit Boats celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Fifty years. Hundreds of models. Decades of NMMA Customer Satisfaction Awards. A Fort Pierce factory campus of over 430,000 square feet. Nearly 600 employees. And a lineup of center console, dual console and open express boats that represents the very best the American boatbuilding industry has to offer.
From the launch of the first Pursuit-branded fishing boat in 1977 to today's multi-award-winning lineup of boats that set the standard across America and beyond, the story of Pursuit is ultimately a story about what happens when people care deeply about doing something right.
We're proud of where we've been. And we're excited about what's coming next.
Our Milestones at a Glance
1977 — Industry pioneer Leon Slikkers introduces the first range of fishing boats bearing the Pursuit name.
1983 — A new 75,000-square-foot plant is built in Fort Pierce, Florida, dedicated to manufacturing Pursuit models.
1992 — The Pursuit 2665 Center Console is named Boating Magazine's Boat of the Year.
1994 — S2 Yachts wins a national award for Positive Customer Service from MCI/Inc. Magazine.
2000 — Pursuit achieves record sales and receives the Yamaha Sales & Marketing Achievement Award for the fourth consecutive year.
2001 — The NMMA Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) Award program launches; Pursuit receives the award and has continued to earn the distinction every year the program has been presented since its inception.
2006 — Pursuit receives the NMMA Innovation Award for the Drummond Sportfish "Anglers Edge" at the Miami International Boat Show.
2007 — Leon Slikkers is inducted into the Michigan Boating Hall of Fame.
2011 — The DC 265 wins Boating Magazine's Best of Class at the Miami International Boat Show.
2017 — The S 328 Sport debuts at the Miami International Boat Show; the DC 365 debuts at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show; and a 14,000-square-foot plant expansion is completed.
2018 — The DC 365 wins the NMMA Innovation Award at the Miami International Boat Show; Pursuit is acquired by Malibu Boats Inc.
2019 — Groundbreaking takes place for a major expansion of the Fort Pierce manufacturing campus.
2020 — The new 182,000-square-foot Plant 2 opens at the Fort Pierce campus; the S 378 is named a Boating Industry Top Product.
2021 — The S 428 Sport flagship launches publicly; the DC 246 is introduced.
2022 — The S 428 wins the NMMA Innovation Award at the Miami International Boat Show; Pursuit achieves 2 million man-hours worked without a lost-time safety incident; the S 248 debuts at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.
2023 — The OS 445 Offshore flagship launches, becoming the largest Pursuit ever built; the 116,000-square-foot Tooling Development Center opens; the OS 405 debuts at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.
2024 — The DC 306 debuts at the Miami International Boat Show; the OS 325 is reimagined; Christopher Gratz is promoted to President of Pursuit Boats.
2025 — The all-new S 328 Sport debuts at the Miami International Boat Show and is named a Boating Industry Top Product; the Sea Tow Foundation names Pursuit Top Marine Manufacturer; the S 388 Sport is also named a Boating Industry Top Product.
2026 — The DC 286 debuts at the Miami International Boat Show.
2027 — Pursuit Boats celebrates its 50th anniversary; the Dual Console series becomes Denali.
