Sea Hunt Boats was founded in 1995 by father-and-son duo Vic and Bubba Roof. Bubba Roof currently owns the majority stake in the company and runs it alongside his partner Joel Moss. Sea Hunt Boats is a family-owned and operated company that builds top-selling, family-friendly saltwater boats. The company has experienced tremendous growth since its modest beginnings in a one-room shop outside Columbia, South Carolina, and is now recognised as a leading brand in the boating industry.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Year founded | 1995 |
Founders | Father and son team, Vic and Bubba Roof |
Headquarters | Columbia, South Carolina |
Facility size | 170,000 square feet |
Number of employees | 220 |
Number of boats built per year | 2,100 to 2,200 |
Number of boats built per day | 8 |
Current owner/CEO | Bubba Roof |
Company type | Family-owned and operated |
What You'll Learn
- Sea Hunt Boats was founded by father-son duo Vic and Bubba Roof
- The company's focus is on building affordable, family-friendly fishing boats
- Bubba Roof is the current president and CEO of the company
- Sea Hunt Boats has been steadily gaining market share in the saltwater boat market
- The company has a strong commitment to quality and innovation, with no plans for expansion
Sea Hunt Boats was founded by father-son duo Vic and Bubba Roof
Sea Hunt Boats was founded by father-and-son duo Vic and Bubba Roof in 1995. The company started as a modest one-room shop in a small plant outside of Columbia, South Carolina, with the goal of building an affordable boat that is the best in its class.
Vic Roof had previously owned the successful Sunbird Boat Company, which he sold to Outboard Marine Corp. However, when Bubba graduated from college, he realized that he shared his father's passion for building boats. Thus, Sea Hunt was born as a small saltwater line with a 15-foot boat, eventually expanding into 17-foot and then 19-foot boats.
The company's unique selling point was its focus on family-friendly boats. They combined the features of a pontoon or deck boat for family fun with a center-console boat for fishing, creating a versatile vessel that could cater to a range of activities. Sea Hunt was the first company to offer center-console boats with extra bow seating, backrests in the bow, and extra legroom, ensuring that families could enjoy their time on the water in comfort.
Today, Sea Hunt Boats is a family-owned and operated company, with Bubba Roof as the president and CEO. The company has grown significantly from its humble beginnings, now employing 220 people and operating out of a 170,000-square-foot facility in downtown Columbia. Sea Hunt has become the number one selling saltwater boat on the market, known for its innovative, family-friendly designs and high-quality craftsmanship.
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The company's focus is on building affordable, family-friendly fishing boats
Sea Hunt Boat Company was founded by father-son duo Vic and Bubba Roof in 1995. The company's focus is on building affordable, family-friendly fishing boats. The Roofs started with a simple goal: to build an affordable boat that is the best in its class. This goal stemmed from their love for fishing and spending time with family and friends.
Sea Hunt has revolutionised the boating industry by combining the fun of a pontoon with the functionality of a centre-console boat for fishing. Their centre-console boats are designed with extra bow seating, backrests, and ample leg room, making them ideal for families. The company's Ultra series is a prime example of this family-centric design philosophy, featuring a full backseat that caters to both hardcore anglers and families.
The success of Sea Hunt can be attributed to their customer-centric approach. Robbie Coates, the National Sales Manager, emphasises that the company's innovations are driven by the needs and experiences of their customers. This commitment to quality and innovation has resulted in Sea Hunt becoming the top-selling saltwater centre console boat brand for 20 consecutive years.
The company's dedication to family values extends beyond their products. As a family-owned and operated business, Sea Hunt prioritises its employees, with many long-serving staff members and a focus on promoting from within. This culture of loyalty and innovation has solidified Sea Hunt's position as a leader in the boating industry, with their logo recognised as a symbol of quality and value.
Sea Hunt's story began in a modest one-room shop outside of Columbia, South Carolina, and has since expanded to a 170,000-square-foot facility with 220 employees. Despite their success, the company remains committed to their founding principles, with Bubba Roof inspecting every boat before it leaves the facility to ensure the highest quality.
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Bubba Roof is the current president and CEO of the company
Sea Hunt Boats was founded in 1995 by father-and-son team, Vic and Bubba Roof. Starting as a small, family-owned business, Sea Hunt Boats has grown to become a top-selling boat company.
Today, Bubba Roof is the current president and CEO of the company. He took over the role from his father, Vic Roof, who retired. Bubba Roof's leadership has been instrumental in the company's success and expansion. He is known for his dedication to quality and innovation, as well as his passion for the brand. Each day, he arrives at the company's 170,000-square-foot facility in downtown Columbia, South Carolina, as early as 5:30 a.m. to personally inspect every boat before it leaves the facility. This commitment to quality and attention to detail have earned Sea Hunt Boats its reputation for building top-quality, family-friendly boats.
Under Bubba Roof's leadership, Sea Hunt Boats has maintained its focus on building affordable, family-friendly fishing boats without compromising on quality. The company's success can be attributed to its dedication to innovation, always looking for small upgrades that can make a big difference to boat buyers. For example, Sea Hunt Boats was the first company to offer centre-console boats with extra bow seating, backrests in the bow for family comfort, and extra leg room. This focus on constantly improving the boating experience for families has been a key factor in the company's strong reputation and market position.
In addition to his role as CEO, Bubba Roof also holds the majority stake in the company and runs it with his partner, Joel Moss. His passion for the brand and strong relationships with dealers have contributed to the company's steady growth in the saltwater market over the last decade. Bubba Roof's hands-on approach to leadership and his involvement in various aspects of the business, from checking the molds to submitting orders, reflect his dedication to the company's success and ensuring the satisfaction of both dealers and customers.
The success of Sea Hunt Boats under Bubba Roof's leadership is a testament to the company's strong foundation and its commitment to innovation and quality. With Bubba Roof at the helm, Sea Hunt Boats is well-positioned to continue its growth and maintain its reputation as a leading provider of top-quality, family-friendly boats.
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Sea Hunt Boats has been steadily gaining market share in the saltwater boat market
Sea Hunt's success can be attributed to its focus on family-friendly design and innovation. The company was the first to offer center-console boats with extra bow seating, backrests, and extra legroom, ensuring that their boats cater to the whole family. This commitment to innovation has continued, with Sea Hunt constantly seeking small upgrades that make a big difference to boat buyers, such as pop-out footrests for passengers.
The company's dedication to quality and customer satisfaction is also key to its success. Sea Hunt builds around 2,100 to 2,200 boats per year and is committed to maintaining this sweet spot to ensure the highest quality. This strategy has paid off, with dealers clamouring for more boats and selling them as fast as they get them.
Sea Hunt's marketing strategy also plays a role in its market share gains. The company relies heavily on word-of-mouth promotion, with a passionate brand ambassador in Bubba Roof, who owns the majority of the company and runs it with his partner, Joel Moss. This personal touch, combined with competitive pricing and a strong relationship with dealers, has helped Sea Hunt Boats quietly gain market share in the saltwater boat market.
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The company has a strong commitment to quality and innovation, with no plans for expansion
Sea Hunt Boats was founded by father-and-son duo Vic and Bubba Roof in 1995. The company has grown from a modest one-room shop outside Columbia, South Carolina, to a 170,000-square-foot facility in the city's downtown area. Despite this impressive growth, Sea Hunt has no plans for further expansion. Instead, the company is committed to maintaining its quality and innovation.
Sea Hunt Boats is a family-owned and operated company, with Bubba Roof now serving as president and CEO following his father's retirement. The company's success is attributed to its focus on building affordable, family-friendly boats that are also the best in their class. This commitment to quality and innovation has made Sea Hunt the number one selling saltwater boat on the market.
The company's national sales manager, Robbie Coates, emphasises that Sea Hunt's innovation stems from its dedication to helping families enjoy fishing and boating together. Sea Hunt was the first company to introduce centre-console boats with extra bow seating, backrests, and extra legroom, transforming the traditional fishing boat into a family-friendly vessel.
While other companies in the saltwater market are introducing new models in the 40-foot range, Sea Hunt has stated that they have "no intentions of expanding into bigger boats". Bubba Roof, who has the majority stake in the company, is committed to building boats for families, not just hardcore fishermen.
Instead of expansion, Sea Hunt prioritises maintaining its quality and innovation. The company has found its "sweet spot", building around 2,100 to 2,200 boats per year, or about eight boats per day. This allows them to focus on craftsmanship, ensuring that each boat meets their high standards.
Sea Hunt's commitment to quality is also reflected in their warranty offerings, which include a 1-year limited warranty and a 10-year limited hull warranty. As a family-run business, they strive to fulfil any warranty issues that may arise, demonstrating their dedication to customer satisfaction.
In summary, Sea Hunt Boats has no plans for expansion and is instead focused on upholding its strong commitment to quality and innovation. By prioritising craftsmanship, family values, and customer satisfaction, the company has established itself as a leader in the saltwater boat market.
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Frequently asked questions
Sea Hunt Boat Company was founded in 1995 by father and son, Vic and Bubba Roof. Bubba Roof has the majority stake in the company and runs it with his partner Joel Moss.
Sea Hunt boats are manufactured in a 170,000 square foot facility in downtown Columbia, South Carolina. The company was started in a one-room workshop in a small industrial area just outside the city.
Sea Hunt is known for its center-console, family-friendly, saltwater fishing boats. Their boats range from 18 to 30 feet in length and are designed for both serious fishing and family comfort.
Sea Hunt prioritizes quality and innovation over rapid growth. They aim to maintain their current level of production, focusing on their sweet spot of building around 2,000 boats per year. The company also has no intentions of expanding into bigger boats, staying true to their mission of building boats for families.