Centurion Boats
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Boat manufacturing, water sports vessels |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Founder | Rick Lee, Pam Lee |
| Fate | Acquired by Correct Craft in 2015 |
| Headquarters | Merced , United States |
Key people | Rick Lee (founder) |
| Products | Tow boats for wakesurfing and wakeboarding |
| Owner | Fineline Industries (subsidiary), Controlled by Correct Craft since 2015 |
| Parent | Fineline Industries, Controlled by Correct Craft since 2015 |
| Website | www |
Centurion Boats, a subsidiary of Fineline Industries, focuses on producing water sports vessels, mainly tow boats tailored for wakesurfing and wakeboarding activities. Established by Rick Lee, the company's main offices and production facilities are situated in Merced, California.
History
Rick and Pam Lee founded Centurion Boats after purchasing the brand name from a company based in Salt Lake City. Their inaugural order was received via telephone in 1976. The initial operations involved manufacturing inboard ski boats within a rented 10,000-square-foot space in Southern California. By 1986, the company had introduced its first V-Drive ski boat model.
With increasing market demand, Centurion relocated to a larger 121,000-square-foot facility spanning six acres, which also featured a dedicated test lake for product development and experimentation. The brand redirected its focus toward crafting boats specifically engineered for Wakeboarding and Wakesurfing.
In 1990, the firm created C.A.T. fins, and by 1992 they had adopted a computerized system to oversee boat specifications and operational metrics. The debut of 'The Wave' in 1995 represented their initial vessel designed to generate substantial wakes suited for wake sports.
The 1997 release of the UCS construction method marked the removal of wood components from boat frameworks. In 2003, Centurion unveiled the Tsunami model—a cabin cruiser equipped with an expansive fuel capacity—and introduced sideswipe exhaust technology. The following year saw the launch of the Avalanche model aimed at wake riding and the more compact V-Drive Cyclone.
After rolling out VTF Fins in 2005, Centurion formed a partnership with NASCAR in 2007 to manufacture officially licensed waterskiing boats. The company also served as title sponsor for the Watkins Glen sprint racecourse for several seasons under the name "Centurion Boats at the Glen."
In 2015, Correct Craft acquired a controlling stake in Centurion Boats, incorporating it into its collection of marine-focused brands.
Current models
By 2013, Centurion's leading product line was the Centurion Enzo, a V-Drive tow boat engineered to create optimal Wakesurfing waves. That year, the Enzo was designated as the official towboat for the World Wake Surfing Championship. Other prominent offerings included the Avalanche C4—a versatile V-Drive vessel suitable for both wakesurfing and wakeboarding—and the Elite V C4, which provided a cost-effective V-Drive option featuring a slimmer beam and reduced draft. The Carbon Pro was designed to meet tournament-level ski competition demands with high-performance inboard ski towboat capabilities.
External links
- Articles with short description
- American boat builders
- Manufacturing companies based in California
- 1976 establishments in California
- American companies established in 1976
- Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1976
- Water sports equipment manufacturers
- Sporting goods manufacturers of the United States