Story by Skeeter Boats
Photo by Skeeter Boats
Bass fishermen in Texas have been running Skeeter Boats, built in Kilgore, for years, and coastal fishermen have joined in. It seems like yesterday since Skeeter was acquired by Yamaha, but it was way back in 1996.
Skeeter Products, Inc., the leader in performance fishing boats, announced its 20th anniversary as a Yamaha Boat Company this year.
“Joining Yamaha has been an extremely gratifying experience for hundreds of Skeeter employees,” said Jeff Stone, Senior Vice President, Skeeter Boats, “We have seen our product and service grow to levels never seen before. There have been so many individuals at Yamaha’s regional headquarters in Kennesaw, Ga., and at the company’s U.S. headquarters in Cypress, Calif., that have been instrumental in our growth as a brand, and most importantly as a producer of fiberglass fishing boats.”
Since the acquisition of Skeeter by Yamaha in 1996, Skeeter has introduced new models in the FX bass boat, iClass bass boat, and WX and MX deep-V product lines, as well as the 2016 expansion of the SX line with the SX230, Skeeter’s newest in- or off-shore boat that includes the high performance features that are signature to Skeeter’s top quality bay boats.
Since 1996, Skeeter’s Kilgore facility has also undergone significant enhancements, including the addition of a new R&D building, a new warehouse and wiring shop, as well as expansions to its warranty shop and fiber reinforced plastics area. The company has also begun construction of a trailer factory, expected to be completed by the end of the year.
“Yamaha is very proud of its partnership with Skeeter in the freshwater segment,” said Ben Speciale, Yamaha Marine Group President. “The Skeeter brand has evolved to include some of the highest quality fiberglass fishing boats in the industry, which deliver exceptional performance and fishability for serious anglers. We are pleased to be a part of this evolution and look forward to the next generation of great Skeeter products.”
Skeeter is the recipient of 14 consecutive NMMA Customer Satisfaction Index awards, and its boats are certified to meet strict U.S. Coast Guard and American Boat & Yacht Council standards.
For a catalog, call (800) SKEETER, or for more information visit www.skeeterboats.com. EAT. SLEEP. FISH.
