Correct Craft Group, Fresh and Salt Water

Since 1925, Correct Craft has operated as the world’s leader in tournament inboard, freshwater fish and utility and recreational boats, as well as marine propulsion and watersports parks. By leveraging our expertise and passion, Correct Craft has grown into an industry-driving organization that is focused on people, performance and philanthropy. We remain dedicated to growing our brands and producing premium products that bring enjoyment to families around the world.

Walter C. Meloon created the Florida Variety Boat Company in 1925. During the early days, the company built a variety of craft ranging from powerboats to race boats and even sailboats.

By 1936, the primary focus of the company was the construction of powerboats. After hearing a radio advertisement explaining “the correct heel for your shoe,” W.C. thought, why not “the correct craft for you?” Thus the company name was changed to Correct Craft. Despite the Great Depression, the company continued to grow.

During the Second World War, the company’s reputation garnered the attention of the United States government, which desperately needed storm boats to support the war effort. Feeling a strong sense of patriotism, the Meloon family answered the nation’s call during its time of crisis. In 1942 the company opened a second plant in Titusville, Florida to manufacture boats through government contracts for the war effort.

Near the end of the war, General Eisenhower requested that Correct Craft build approximately 400 boats in thirty days – far more boats than the company had ever produced in such a short period of time. Nevertheless, through a combination of prayer and remarkable ingenuity, Correct Craft developed an innovative production process that allowed the factory to produce the needed number of boats in record time. This event, which National Geographic later dubbed “A Miracle Production,” solidified the company’s reputation as being a reliable, quality boat manufacturer.

In the mid 1940s through 1957, the recreational boat business prospered. The advent of fiberglass brought new possibilities to the marine industry in the 1960s and Correct Craft worked with designer Leo Bentz to bring the fiberglass Ski Nautique to market in 1961.

In 1966 the groundbreaking ceremony was held for a new manufacturing facility in Orlando, FL.

In the 1970s, Correct Craft produced an array of runabouts, cuddy-cabin and center console models including the Southwind, Martinique, Cuddy Nautique, Fish Nautique, Bass Nautique, and Ski Nautique. During the 1980s, towed watersports surged and the company’s Ski Nautique 2001 and Barefoot Nautique pulled many tournaments around the world.

In the 1990s, the focus on having no wake suddenly shifted to creating mountains of water behind the boat for kneeboarding and wakeboarding. Correct Craft invented a tower to add even more height to these extreme sports. The patented Flight Control Tower, combined with factory installed ballast tanks, revolutionized the wakeboard boat market and led to the creation of the Air Nautique.

In 2005, construction began for Nautique’s new 217,000 square-foot manufacturing plant located on the outskirts of Central Florida. The company moved to the new factory in June of 2006. In September of that year Bill Yeargin became President/CEO of Correct Craft, marking the beginning of a new strategic direction for the company.

In 2010, following the Great Recession, Correct Craft began execution of a new growth strategy that resulted in the acquisition of the following brands: