At Boats By George, we’ve seen a lot of change over the years. Forty-two years in business will do that. We’ve always aimed to stay ahead of the curve and bring our customers the most innovative and reliable products available. In 1982, Volvo Penta invented the duo prop sterndrive, and shortly after, we became Volvo Penta exclusive with our Cobalt lineup of boats, even though MerCruiser dominated the marine industry at the time.
In 2000, Outboard Marine Corp (OMC) went out of business, and the Chris Craft brand was bought by private investors committed to restoring its old-world styling and craftsmanship. When it became an option for us, we jumped at the opportunity, believing the brand offered a unique and attractive alternative to the cost and maintenance of a real wooden vessel.
Today, a new generation of boaters is entering the market. Millennials are starting families, and Gen Z is beginning their professional lives. Prioritizing time outdoors, mental and physical well-being, and unique experiences, over 800,000 people became first-time boat owners in 2020 and 2021, many of them young professionals.
With this in mind, we’ve felt the need for a product in the highly competitive entry-level segment of the marine industry for the past few years. After researching, talking with dealers across the country, and meeting with manufacturer reps of various brands, we concluded that no one is doing a better job in this segment than Yamaha Boats.
These days, building an affordable boat is incredibly difficult. The manufacturing of fiberglass boats still relies heavily on manual labor. Unlike the large-scale automation in car manufacturing, the marine industry lacks such advancements. This has led to significant consolidation of manufacturers over the past two decades, with the idea that vertical integration will help reduce manufacturing overhead costs.
Vertical integration streamlines operations by taking direct ownership of various parts of the supply chain. For example, instead of providing engineering diagrams to a wiring supplier, companies like Yamaha have taken over the wiring process. This allows them to produce wiring harnesses for their boats, outboard engines, ATVs, and other products, benefiting from efficiencies that can be passed on to the consumer.
In the entry-level segment of the marine industry, no one does this better than Yamaha. Their engines, wiring, components, and electronics are all shared among all of their products, from boats to ATVs. As a result, they can build a higher-quality boat at a lower price than their competitors in this segment.
Additionally, Yamaha is one of the few in the marine industry to offer its own financing. Even in today's high-interest-rate environment, Yamaha can provide dynamic financing offers, including lower introductory rates, zero-down plans, and more.
This also allows them to innovate and include higher-quality hardware in their products than their immediate competitors at the same price point. For example, you can purchase a 25’ bowrider from Yamaha with joystick docking at a price point well below any other 25' family bowrider on the market. Joystick docking as a feature is typically available only on boats 28’ or longer with price tags over $200,000.
The result is a wide range of affordable boats, starting as low as $36,299 for a 19’ bowrider. Impressively, they also offer a 25’ bowrider for under $70,000.
We love boating and want to help others share that experience with their friends and family. By offering Yamaha Boats at Boats By George, we hope to make boating more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.