A Modest Beginning
MasterCraft was founded in 1968 when it built its first ski boat in a two-stall horse barn on a farm in Maryville,
Tennessee. Dissatisfied with the large wakes and pull of other ski boats, MasterCraft builders designed
a hull that had the smallest wake in the industry; smooth and low at slalom and jump speeds; well defined
at trick speeds.
In its first year of operation, MasterCraft only built 12 boats. But the boat design was so revolutionary
that the company began getting order after order for its boats and MasterCraft soon became recognized
as a force in the tournament ski boat market. Forty years later, MasterCraft is now producing thousands
of tournament ski, wakeboarding, luxury and performance boats annually to keep up with consumer demand.
MasterCraft has a single manufacturing facility located in Vonore, Tennessee, where it employs over 560 people.
These "MasterCraftsmen" descend on Lake Tellico every morning dedicated to hand-building the world's best boats.
MasterCraft engineers listen to the consumer's wants and needs, develop new ideas, and mix humanity with technology
in order to produce the next generation of ProStars, MariStars, X-Series, CSX and Saltwater Series boats.
Then MasterCraft's President & CEO, John Dorton, and Vice President of Worldwide Sales, Scott Crutchfield,
step out of the boardroom and into their bindings. This constant evaluation and focus on the customer has made
the soul of the company more attuned to skiers needs with each passing year.
MasterCraft is by far the largest producer of inboard ski, wakeboard and luxury performance powerboats
in the world. It sells boats in over 30 different countries and has over 120 domestic and international dealers.
Every MasterCraft comes from Vonore and hundreds of owners, skiers and boarders visit the company's headquarters
every year to see the birthplace of their most prized possession.
Why are MasterCraft enthusiast's so fanatical about the product? Because MasterCraft is and always has been,
the industry leader in new product innovation, styling, comfort, performance and quality for over forty years.
When Great Things Happened
A timeline of MasterCraft highlights over the past forty years:
1968: MasterCraft was founded by an aerospace engineer living in Florida and the first MasterCraft boat was built.
1972: MasterCraft pulls its first National Championship.
1973: Kris LaPoint lands the first slalom world record. His boat? A MasterCraft.
1976: MasterCraft installs the first mufflers on a ski boat, which made for a quieter ride.
1977: MasterCraft installs the first triple fins and first fiberglass seats.
1980: The Powerslot transmission is created.
1981: Powerslot is patented.
1982: MasterCraft becomes the official towboat of Cypress Gardens and Marine World
1983: Boats are made of the first fiberglass stringers for greater durability.
1984: MasterCraft originates the Pro Tour.
1986: Mike Hazelwood lands a 203-foot World Record Jump. His boat? A MasterCraft.
1988: MasterCraft pulls more World Records—women's slalom, men's jump, women's jump, and women's tricks.
1989: MasterCraft introduces the MariStar, the first line of luxury ski boats.
1992: MasterCraft pulls Sammy Duvall to a 220-foot men's jump world record.
1993: The first electronic fuel injection engine standard is set for a ski boat.
1994: MasterCraft introduces the first adjustable driver's seat.
1995: The V-drive ski boat is perfected—it sports a roomy, wide-open interior.
1996: X-Star is chosen as the X-Games' official towboat.
1998: Monocoque™ fitted composite stringer system is introduced.
1999: MasterCraft introduces the industry's only tapered bottom fuel cell for advanced fuel delivery.
2000: MasterCraft introduces the teak swim-platform transom protector to prevent scratches.
2000: MasterCraft Training Systems (MTS) is introduced to the industry, which is a ballast tank under the observer's seat in the storage area and holds up to 185 pounds, simulates the weight balance of tournament conditions.
2001: The introduction of the ProStar 190 EVO® hull, to lower and soften slalom wake
2001: ProStar 209 wins Powerboat's "Towboat of the Year" award.
2002: MasterCraft introduces the Tournament Team.
2002: MasterCraft introduces the ProStar 197/X-7 and wins Powerboat's "Outstanding Towboat Performance Award."
2003: The new X-Star debuts and is voted WakeWorld.com's Rider's Choice Wakeboard Boat of The Year.
2004: The first (and still the only) twin-engine boat in the market is introduced-the MariStar 280 STS and the X-80 STS. The MasterCraft MariStar 280 wins Boating magazine's Boat of The Year award.
2005: A new cruise control system is introduced-the MasterCraft Cruise®
2005: MasterCraft X-Star chosen as official boat of Amp'd Mobile SuperCross and The Dew Action Sports Tour.
2005: MasterCraft wins NMMA CSI Award for the inboard waters ports boat category recognizing MasterCraft for its extraordinary customer service at the dealer level
2006: The newly designed MariStar 230 VRS and X-30 is introduced.
2006: MasterCraft wins a WSIA Leadership Award as Manufacturer of the Year
2007: MasterCraft introduces the CSX 220, the first center-console boat designed with an engineered wake for skiing, boarding, and other water sports.
2007: The X-Star is voted WakeWorld.com's Rider's Choice Wakeboard Boat of The Year for the fifth consecutive year
2007: The MasterCraft 280 STS is named "New Classic" by Boating Magazine, an honor only bestowed on five boats
2007: World record jump of 243 feet is set behind a MasterCraft ProStar 197 by MasterCraft athlete Freddy Krueger
2007: MasterCraft wins NMMA CSI Award for the inboard water sports boat category for the third consecutive year recognizing MasterCraft for its extraordinary customer service at the dealer level.
2007: MasterCraft introduces the all new MariStar 215 VRS and new X-15.
2007: MasterCraft.com website wins prestigious Silver and Gold ADDY awards.
2007: MasterCraft wins its second WSIA Leadership Award for best ad campaign.
2008: MasterCraft awarded a top honor from J.D. Power and Associates and is ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Ski and Wakeboard Boats in a Tie".
2008: MasterCraft.com awarded the Best Marine Site Overall at the annual North American Marine Industry Web Award presentation sponsored by NMMA and Boats.com.
2009: MasterCraft Fanfare invites customers to a behind the scenes tour of the MasterCraft factory.
2009: MasterCraft releases the new X-55 and 255 the only 25' inboard on the market.
2009: MasterCraft debuts the ProStar 214V, the worlds first and only AWSA World Record Capable V-Drive.
2009: MasterCraft enters the luxury cruiser market with the all new 300 day yacht featuring 800 horsepower.
2010: MasterCraft continues to lead in market share within the ski segment.
2010: MasterCraft introduces the all new 225Vand new X-25.
2010: MasterCraft wins Trailer Boats “Readers Choice Award” as Favorite Wakeboard Boat Builder.
2010: MasterCraft wins coveted NMMA Innovation Award for its pioneering technology found in the new MasterCraft X-25. One of 10 companies to win this award, the X-25 won because it’s innovative digitally adjustable wake system, tracking camera and variable seating configuration and was said to be “a unique 22-foot platform”.
2010: The MasterCraft X-Star once again gains a podium spot in the WakeWorld.com’s Rider’s Choice Awards for the eighth consecutive year.
2010: MasterCraft announces it is partnering exclusively with one of the world’s best high performance engineering companies, Ilmor Marine engines, for its power train needs.
2010: MasterCraft again leads in innovation by unveiling all new ZFT 5p wakesport tower. Electrically powered, it will raise and lower to 3 different positions with a simple flip of a switch, making it easy to store, tow or go under a low bridge.
2010: MasterCraft unveils Parks Bonifay Custom Edition X-Star.
2010: MasterCraft unveils the SureShade system in its 300 making it the first pleasure cruiser style boat offering a factory-installed automated sunshade system.
2010: MasterCraft leads it segment in market share for the 2nd consecutive year.
